Surgeon general, Jerome Adams outlined how exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds can increase the likelihood of melanoma and described the warning signs. He said in reference to his wife Lacey Adams’ recent diagnosis that she used to tan frequently. Read the full article here.
Melanoma Facts from The Skin Cancer Foundation:
Melanoma is the most dangerous and aggressive form of skin cancer. If melanoma is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. The survival rate drops to 62 percent if the disease reaches the lymph nodes, and 18 percent when melanoma metastasizes to distant organs. The more common skin cancers, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, have high cure rates, but they can become disfiguring and eventually life threatening if not caught early. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends an annual skin check with a board-certified dermatologist and monthly self-skin exams to help catch skin cancer early. It may be recommended to those with a history of skin cancer and those with many moles to do self-exams more frequent than a month. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends having a trusted friend or loved one help with the skin exam since some spots could be hard to see even with the use of mirrors. Wearing sunscreen daily, frequent self-exams, and annual skin checks help keep yours safe from the world’s most common cancer.
