May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Rockwall, Texas (PRWEB) May 05, 2014 -- May is National Skin Cancer Awareness month. Overall, skin cancers affect more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma, which only accounts for five percent of skin cancer cases, kills one American every hour and accounts for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. In 2013, more than 76,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma.
“Everyone should be educated about how to protect themselves from skin cancer,” said Amy Jones, MPAS, PA-C of Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center. “By avoiding exposure to the sun, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding tanning beds and sun lamps, people can greatly reduce their skin cancer risk.”
A simple ABCDE rule outlines some warning signs of melanoma:
A = Asymmetry: One-half of the mole (or lesion) does not match the other half
B = Border: Border irregularity; the edges are ragged, notched or blurred
C = Color: The pigmentation is not uniform, with variable degrees of tan, brown or black
D = Diameter: The diameter of a mole or skin lesion is greater than six millimeters (or the size of a pencil eraser). Any sudden increase in the size of an existing mole should be checked.
E = Evolution: Existing moles changing shape, size or color
“Melanoma might appear differently than what is described in the ABCDE rule,” said Amy Jones, “that’s why it’s so important to get regular skin cancer screenings and discuss any changes to existing moles or new growths on the skin with your dermatologist.”
To help raise awareness of skin cancer, Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center is offering free skin cancer screenings at the Rockwall and Greenville, Texas locations. Visit RockwallDermatologist.com or call (972) 646-9060, for additional information.
Age, sex, race, complexion, hair and eye color, number of existing moles, family history, excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds, a history of sunburn, diseases that suppress the immune system, past history of basal or squamous cell skin cancers, and occupational exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, radium or some pesticides all increase the risk for developing skin cancer.
To learn more information about skin cancer, please refer to The Dermatology Specialist, a comprehensive resource on skin cancer and dermatology. To get the latest news and upcoming events follow us on twitter @Rockwallderm or on facebook.com/RockwallDermatologist.
Nikki Canga, Frozen Fire, http://www.FrozenFire.com, +1 (214) 745-3456, [email protected]
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