(www.obagi.com)May has quickly arrived, which means it’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Considering the disease is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States, it’s easy to see the importance of the initiative. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Before heading outdoors this summer, we encourage you to educate yourself on ways to maintain superior skin health.
In the meantime, here are some of the most noteworthy skin cancer preventative tips.
- Say no to tanning beds. Don’t believe the hype—just because tanning indoors is a controlled dose of ultraviolet radiation does not make it okay. Believe it or not, indoor tanners are typically less safe than the rays of the sun, as new high-pressure sunlamps can deliver as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose as natural exposure
- Don’t feel confident just because you’re young. While the average age of those diagnosed with skin cancer lies somewhere between 45 and 55, it turns out a quarter of all cases occur in people under the age of 40. So regardless of age, make sure you protect yourself—always use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while outdoors.
- Be vigilant with sunscreen—even if you’re not light-skinned. While it’s true that those with darker skin are less likely to develop the disease than those with lighter, fairer skin, the risk still exists for everyone. This is why it’s important for everyone to protect themselves. So lather up and protect all exposed areas with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as our award-winning Obagi Nu-Derm® Sun Shield SPF 50, before venturing outside. For all skin types, it applies with an elegant, matte finish that feels great on your skin.
- Check non-exposed parts of the body for signs of the disease. Believe it or not, melanoma can be diagnosed anywhere from the soles of one’s feet to beneath the fingernails. That’s why it’s important to regularly see your dermatologist and continually check your moles for signs of any changes.
Looking for more tips on how to best protect you and your skin? Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at SkinCancer.org for more information!
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skin cancer statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/. Accessed April 30, 2012
2 Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin Cancer Awareness Month reminder.https://www.skincancer.org/media-and-press/press-release-2011/skin-cancer-awareness-month-reminder. Accessed April 30, 2012.
3 Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer facts. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts. Accessed April 30, 2012.
4 Melanoma Center. Melanoma statistics. https://www.melanomacenter.org/basics/statistics.html. Accessed April 30, 2012.
5 Skin Cancer Foundation. Myth vs. fact.https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/myths-vs-facts. Accessed April 30, 2012.
6 Melanoma Research Foundation. Melanoma risk factors.https://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/melanoma-risk-factors. Accessed April 30, 2012.
