It can seem that many individuals– both male and female — don’t start to understand the importance of taking proper care of their skin until they are well within their 40’s and 50’s. However, if you are in your teens, twenties, or thirties and still have yet to see a wrinkle, it’s important to understand the importance of protecting your skin from the harsh damages of the sun. No matter what age you are or where you live, skin cancer can strike at any moment. Read on to learn more about skin cancer and the truth behind this disease.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Although both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma can be easily treated, whereas melanoma is a more aggressive form of skin cancer that is more serious.
Are you at risk for skin cancer?
Cancer can strike anyone at anytime, especially skin cancer. However, if you have been exposed to any of the following or if you fall into one of the following categories, then you may be at a higher risk for developing skin cancer:
- Exposure to tanning beds or sunlamps (UV radiation)
- Fair skin that easily burns
- Your family members have skin cancer
- Unusual or multiple moles or freckles
- Experienced severe sunburns in the past
- Exposure to coal tar, paraffin, arsenic, or other types of oil
How to prevent skin cancer?
Days of lathering your body with tanning oil or hitting the tanning bed after a long day of work, are hopefully long gone. With skin cancer awareness at an all-time high, more people are looking to protect their skin instead of causing it further harm. In order to help prevent against skin cancer, consider the following:
- Wear sunscreen anytime you are outdoors— even on a cloudy day or in the winter.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses when at the beach or pool.
- Cover up your back and shoulders with a thick t-shirt or towel while out in the sun for long periods of time.
- Hang out in the shade if you start to notice that your skin is getting too much sun.
Skin cancer is a frightening disease that can strike anyone at anytime. However, by understanding a bit more about it and how to prevent yourself from getting it, you can be more prepared. To learn more, contact BAXT CosMedical® Board Certified Dermatologists.
