Skin Cancer

Summertime! That means everyone is wearing less clothes and spends more time outside. Beaches, parks, baseball games, pools. All these places we are all getting our fair share of the sun. And although glistening, golden skin is just to die for, rarely do we consider the repercussions of our extended time in the sun.

Believe it or not, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and accounts for nearly 50% of the cancer in the United States. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so these statistics make sense in a way. This is not to mention, the skin generally takes the most undue punishment protecting us from UV rays every day. The American Cancer Society recommends these tips to help keep your skin healthy.

SEEK shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest.

SLIP on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun.

SLOP on sunscreen: Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

SLAP on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck.

Skin cancer generally manifests itself through irregularities in moles are marks (growth, discoloration, bleeding). Please don't read this and run to the ER because you just realized that your birthmark was cancer this whole time. Monitor your skin features to see if there they are changing in a curious manner and confirm with your dermatologist.

A long-standing myth is that African-Americans are invincible to skin cancer. Reading this blog, you will find quickly find that there is no such thing as invincibility. Although African-Americans are less succeptible to contraction of the disease, skin cancer is much more aggressive when it does occur in these individuals. The mortality rate is also much higher in the black population. Generally, the visibible signatures of the disease aren't so obvious; thus, when a melanoma (type of skin cancer) is found, it has often matured past the early phases. Don't believe me? The great Bob Marley, general in the reggae revolution, died of skin cancer that began in his foot.

The sun is our buddy, but he likes to pick on us sometimes. So everyone, while you're trying to get your "Jersey Shore" tan that will last until Thanksgiving, remember to protect yourself!!!