Help us bring awareness to the SPOT Orange Cancer Program by wearing orange on Monday May 6th.
SPOT Orange Skin Cancer Program
SPOT is a program that aims to teach people about skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology has launched an initiative to lower the mortality rate from skin cancer in the next 30 years. Skin cancer detection starts with you. Physicians recommend doing self-examinations for signs of skin cancer. If you notice any spots, you need to see a dermatologist immediately. It is important to make life changes that will prevent skin cancer. Melanoma is expected to kill an estimated 9,480 people in the United States this year. Approximately one person in the United States dies of melanoma every hour.
Spotting skin cancer at its early stages can save your life. The survival rate over the past five years for people who were diagnosed with melanoma before its spreads is 98%.
Skin Care Prevention
When spending time in the sun, it is essential to take the appropriate steps to prevent skin cancer. Sun exposure can lead to melanoma 1and 2. Sun is actually good for your health, but you must protect your skin.Doctors recommend that you seek shade when it is the strongest. The sun is the most powerful between 10 AM and 2PM. To reduce your risk of skin cancer, you should wear clothing that protects your skin such has sunglasses, a hat, and pants.
You should apply a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more when you are outside. Clinical research has shown that broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against ultraviolet B rays and ultraviolet A rays. You muse reapply sunscreen every few hours and after you have been in the water or were sweating.
One place where you need to be extra cautious is near snow, water, and sand. They reflect, which causes sun rays to cause more damage to your skin.
It is highly recommended that you don’t use tanning beds. The use of tanning beds can lead to skin cancer. An alternative to tanning is to use a spray to make your skin look tan. This option will reduce your risks of getting skin cancer.
Detection
It is up to you to prevent skin cancer through self-examinations. You should conduct a self-examination for signs of skin cancer every month and contact a dermatologist if you see any signs of cancer. This will help to ensure that skin cancer is spotted early and can be treated.Step by Step Self Examination for Signs of Melanoma
You will need a mirror, a stool, a light, a hand mirror, and a blow dryer.
Step 1: Start by examining your lips, nose, and ears. The mirrors will help you get a better look.
Step 2: Next use the blow dryer to look at your scalp. You should ask a family member or friend to help.
Step 3: Look at your hands and palms. It is important to look between your fingers and under your fingernails. Also check the front and back of your forearms
Step 4: Then stand before a full sized mirror and scan your entire body. Make sure you check your underarms.
Step 5: You then want to look at your neck, torso, and chest. Females should examine the underside of their breast.
Step 6: Then turn you back to the full-length mirror. You will use the hand mirror to inspect your neck and shoulders and any part of your upper arms that you could not see when performing step 4.
Step 7: Use both mirrors to look at your buttocks and lower back.
Step 8: Sit down and prop up one leg at a time. You will use the hand mirror to check your genitals. Then you will check your ankles, sides of your legs, and toes and under toenails. Don’t forget to examine the soles of your feet.