During the summer, it’s easy to lose track of time. Intentions to work on an outdoor project for “just a few minutes,” can quickly turn into an hour or more of outdoor time. In fact, that very thing happened to me this past weekend! I went out to check on my garden and ended up weeding for an hour! When these time lapses happen, we often don’t prepare ourselves for the sun exposure like we should. Over time, this unprotected sun exposure can add up, potentially leading to serious problems like skin cancer.
Over 60,000 people in the US are diagnosed with melanoma each year. In fact, Americans have a 1 in 70 chance of being diagnosed at some point in their life, so it’s important to check your skin for pre-cancerous growths on a regular basis.
To help remember what to look for during these checks, use the ABCDE’s of skin cancer. By looking for these five major characteristics of cancer, you can detect any problems early on.
A is for Asymmetry. When looking at moles and freckles, asymmetry is a key characteristic to look at. If one is asymmetrical, it means that one side does not match the other. In this case, have the mole looked at by a dermatologist.
B is for Border. If the border of a mole is ragged, blurred or irregular, have it checked by your dermatologist. Melanoma lesions can often have uneven borders.
C is for Color. When the colors of a mole are not consistent it can be considered suspicious. If you have a mole that has multiple shades of brown, tan, black blue, red or white, or if the mole is lighter or darker than others, have it checked by a dermatologist.
D is for Diameter. Moles that are larger than the eraser of a pencil are considered suspicious. Typically, benign moles are less than 6 millimeters in diameter.
E is for Elevation. If a portion of a mole appears to be elevated, have it checked by a dermatologist. Often, melanoma lesions can grow in size or change in height rapidly. A mole that appears to be changing in size or color should be checked.
Check out this great slideshow by WebMD. It will help illustrate what these ABCDE’s look like. By dedicating yourself to a monthly mole-checking regimen, you can greatly increase the chance of detecting melanoma early.
The best time to check is right after a shower, while your skin is still wet. By using a full-length and hand held mirror, you will be able to check most areas of your body. Learn where your birthmarks and existing moles are and what they typically look and feel like.
Of course, sunscreen is your best defense against the sun’s dangerous rays. A great habit to get into is putting on sunscreen every day before you go out, regardless of your plans. By doing so, you’re prepared for any unexpected outdoor projects! Prevention, along with regular monitoring, will allow you to enjoy all that summer has to offer. Now (with my sunscreen on), it’s time to go take care of the rest of those pesky weeds…
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