"Skin cancer is the most common diagnosis in the United States," says the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer is known to affect any age, race, or sex. It is more likely to occur in people with white skin due to the lack of melanin. (2)
It is important to wear sun screen, stay in the shade or create a shaded area, and get annual skin checks.
To assist with self-evaluations it is important to use the ABCDEs of skin (1):
A - Assymmetry : look for growths that are not identical if you folded them in half
B - Border : look for irregular borders
C - Color : look for uneven coloring. Growths with red, blue, white, black and have three or more colors
D - Diameter : look for growths larger than 6mm [the size of a pencil eraser]
E - Evolving : look for growths that have changed over time
Other notable differences where yu would want to see a healthcare provider would be wart-like growths, sores that don't heal or come back, moles that bleed, scaly pathes, and/or black, pearly, or translucent growths. (1)
It is important to be proactive to help prevent a skin care diagnosis. Along with wearing sunscreen & staying in the shade, periodic skin evaluations are the first steps to being skin cancer free. If any ABCDEs arise, see a healthcare provider immediately and continue to have annual exams from a professional.
1 - Villines, Zawn. Skin Cancer By Race And Ethnicity. 2023, October 10. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/skin-cancer-by-race
2 - Meister, Kyra. Skin Cancer Awareness Month Calls to the Importance of Annual Skin Checks. 2023, May 3. Prevent Cancer Foundation. https://www.preventcancer.org/2023/05/skin-cancer-awareness-month-calls-attention-to-importance-of-annual-skin-checks/
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