Melanoma Awareness Month: How To Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer is a well-known form of cancer. While it is the most common type of cancer across the country, there are ways you could reduce your risk of getting it. Here are some best practices in observance of Melanoma Awareness Month.

Ways to Decrease Your Risk Of Getting Skin Cancer

There are many ways you can protect yourself from skin cancer, including:

• Stay safe when you’re outside: Ways you can practice outdoor safety and reduce your risk of getting skin cancer is to try to stay in the shade, wear clothes that will cover your legs and arms, wear a hat to protect your head, face, ears, and neck, always wear sunglasses, and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Make sure you reapply sunscreen every couple of hours or when you are done sweating or swimming. 
• Stay away from indoor tanning: Because artificial tanning beds produce higher levels of ultraviolet rays, indoor tanning could eventually lead to skin cancer. 
• Be careful when near sun-reflecting areas: Be extra cautious when you are near any body of water, snow, or sand, as they can reflect the sun and can give you sunburn. 
• Give yourself skin exams: Make sure you are checking your skin regularly for early signs of skin cancer.
• Limit outdoor time from 10 am to 4 pm: During this window, the sun gives off the most UV rays and your skin is more susceptible to being damaged from the sun.

Follow The ABCDEs Of Skin Cancer

If you have skin damage or new skin spots and believe it may be melanoma, follow the ABCDEs to detect melanoma early. The ABCDEs are asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. They can help you track unusual changes.

Skin Cancer Treatment At ADF Dermatology And Skin Surgical Center

ADF Dermatology and Skin Surgical Center performs Mohs surgery, a treatment for skin cancer. This type of skin cancer treatment cuts out the thin layer of the skin that makes up the skin cancer.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

If you are concerned about a specific spot on your body, call ADF Dermatology and Skin Surgical Center in Sarasota, Florida, at 941-906-7546 or Port Charlotte, Florida, at 941-743-7546. The staff is led by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alfredo Fernandez who is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best care to his patients.