Skin Cancer: What You Need to Know
Prevalence & Cause: 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. More
than 90% of all skin cancers is caused by sun exposure, from both UVA and UVB ultraviolet light.
Types: There are 3 common types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and
Melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least aggressive. The most serious is melanoma, for
which the number of new diagnoses continues to rise. 1 person dies every hour from melanoma in the United States.
Protection: UV protection is of the utmost importance. The best
protection is provided by covering up: hats, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirts, long pants. If this is not possible, we
recommend proper use of sunblock. There are 3 ingredients that stand above all others for protecting against both UVA and
UVB: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and parsol 1789 (avobenzone). A new photostablilizing additive has been introduced
to both Neutrogena (Helioplex) and Aveeno (Active Photobarrier Complex) sunblocks, providing added benefit.
Detection: It is important to conduct regular skin checks on yourself and
your children. If you see unusual colored, shaped or growing moles or pigmented spots, you should have them looked at
immediately by a dermatologist. Because skin cancer often presents in areas you can't easily see like your back, sides and
back of arms and legs, the best precaution is a regular full body check by a dermatologist. The American Cancer Society recommends
a skin cancer-related checkup and counseling about sun exposure as part of any periodic health examination for men and women
beginning at age 20.
