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Skin Cancer Prevention Sun avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer. Over exposure to sunlight (including tanning) is the main cause of skin cancer especially when it results in sunburn and blistering. Other less important factors include: repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure, scarring from diseases or burns, occupational exposure to such compounds as coal tar and arsenic, and family history. Fair-skinned people who sunburn easily are at particular risk for skin cancer. Prevention means guarding the skin against the known causes of skin cancer. Since the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the main culprit, the most effective preventive method is sun avoidance
With a SPF 30 sunscreen applied properly, a fair-skin person who sunburns in 20 minutes can tolerate 30 times 20 minutes (300 minutes) without burning. However, the use of sunscreens should not be an excuse to spend extra time in the sun because other sunrays still go through the sunscreen, such as UVA or infrared, which can age the skin and damage the skin’s immune system. Begin early use of sun protection in childhood because it is estimated that 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before 18. Children under 6 months of age should not have prolonged sun exposure, but if this occurs then a sunscreen should be used. The use of sunscreen should always be part of a program for sun avoidance and never as an excuse for increasing sun exposure. Early Detection Develop a regular routine to inspect your body for any skin changes. If any growth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, see your dermatologist or schedule an appointment with one of the Board Certified Dermatologists at Treasure Coast Dermatology. Types of Skin Cancer There are three forms of skin cancer. To learn about the different types, click on the links below: |
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