May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that May is skin cancer awareness month? As the weather turns warmer and we start to spend more time outside, now is the perfect time to promote skin cancer awareness. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year and 1 in 5 adults will be diagnosed with skin cancer before age 70. The good news? Skin cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer.
Learn the Warning Signs
As with all cancer, early detection is key! The Skin Cancer Foundation’s “The Big See” campaign gives us three simple steps to help us notice skin cancer:
- New Spots – never seen that mole or spot before? Get it checked!
- Changing Spots – get to know your skin so that you can spot changes to your moles or other blemishes.
- Weird Spots – spots that have an unusual outline or itch, hurt, crust or bleed for more than 3 weeks.
How to Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself from skin cancer is relatively easy! Follow these guidelines from The Skin Cancer Foundation, and stock up on your sunscreen at Salt Spa in Virginia Beach:
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
- Don’t get sunburned.
- Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds. Did you know that Salt offers custom spray tanning as an alternative way to achieving that summer glow?
- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher.
- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Use sunscreen on babies over the age of six months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- Get a professional skin exam once a year.
