Here are a few ways you can help raise awareness about skin cancer and save lives:
With 5.4 million cases in more than 3.3 million people diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer and highly treatable when detected early.
- Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
- Melanoma does not discriminate by age, race, or gender. Everyone is at risk.
- Nearly 90% of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight.
- Every hour of every day, one American dies from melanoma – that’s almost 10,000 people per year.
- Melanoma is not just skin cancer. It can develop anywhere – eyes, scalp, nails, feet, mouth, etc.
- Incident of young people under thirty developing melanomas is increasing faster than any other group.
- Approximately 500 American children are diagnosed with melanoma each year.
How do you protect yourself?
- Seek shade when possible
- Try to avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 and reapply every 2 hours
- Cover up with clothing, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hat
Source: Melanoma Research Foundation