By Katie Dohman, Parade
Let’s just admit it: For most people, acronyms such as UVA, UVB, and SPF may as well be alphabet soup. Or maybe people have a vague idea they appear on sunscreen packages, but don’t know what they’re actually saying.
But skin cancer—with its three most common types—is one of the most common forms of cancer and appears to be on the rise, especially among younger people.
Read on, slather up, and stay skin safe this spring and summer.
Let’s just admit it: For most people, acronyms such as UVA, UVB, and SPF may as well be alphabet soup. Or maybe people have a vague idea they appear on sunscreen packages, but don’t know what they’re actually saying.
But skin cancer—with its three most common types—is one of the most common forms of cancer and appears to be on the rise, especially among younger people.
Read on, slather up, and stay skin safe this spring and summer.
The Three Most Common Types of Skin Cancer
Dr. Kelley Pagliai Redbord, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgeon who works in the Washington, D.C., region (DMV), says skin cancer is most common cancer in the U.S., but also the most preventable. “It’s also one of the few cancers we can see with the naked eye.”
The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (the deadliest form). But the good news? Most skin cancers are highly treatable.
The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (the deadliest form). But the good news? Most skin cancers are highly treatable.
Who’s At Risk for Skin Cancer?
Redbord says everyone should see a board-certified dermatologist regularly for a skin cancer screening. But there are some people who are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer, she adds. Those who should pay extra attention are people who have:
- skin that burns easily
- blonde or red hair
- a history of excessive sun exposure, including sunburns
- used tanning beds
- weakened immune system
- history of skin cancer
And no skin tone is immune: Dr. Charles Crutchfield of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, Minnesota, warns, “Sun protection is vital for all skin hues. In fact, even the darkest brown skin only affords protection of equivalent SPF of 6 to 8.” Plus, he says, “No matter what color your skin is, it needs to be protected from the sun to prevent skin cancers, wrinkles, and unsightly brown spots.”
Redbord agrees. “In fact, when skin cancer develops in people with skin of color, it’s often diagnosed at a later stage, making it more difficult to treat. This can be deadly if the person has melanoma, which can spread quickly.”
Healthy Now Tip
There’s no such thing as a healthy tan. A suntan means that your skin already has been damaged, putting you at increased risk for melanoma and other skin cancers. Everyone, regardless of skin color, is susceptible. If you’re looking to add a sunny glow to your skin, opt for a daily tanning moisturizer.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Crutchfield says, “I tell my patients if you have a mole that’s changing in any way, size, color, shape, elevation—or it bleeds without provocation and does not heal within three weeks—these are all warning signs and should be checked. I also tell patients only 10 percent turn out to be skin cancer and 90 percent do not. Nevertheless, these are the things that you should be aware of.”
Preventing Skin Cancer
“Daily sunscreen use is critical; it needs to be as integral a part of your routine as brushing your teeth,” says Dr. Jeffrey Fromowitz, dermatologist at Dermatology of Boca, in Boca Raton, Florida.
That includes both cloudy and sunny days, and it should be applied generously (about a shot-glass full) before you go outside. Additionally, he says, most people don’t reapply often enough. Check your bottle for instructions, because it may be a shorter time frame than you think: Even hardier water-resistant formulations only last 40 to 80 minutes.
That includes both cloudy and sunny days, and it should be applied generously (about a shot-glass full) before you go outside. Additionally, he says, most people don’t reapply often enough. Check your bottle for instructions, because it may be a shorter time frame than you think: Even hardier water-resistant formulations only last 40 to 80 minutes.
Selecting a Sunscreen
The experts agree: You need a full-spectrum sunscreen no matter what. That means it protects you from both UVA (aging) rays and UVB (burning) rays.
Look for the following two ingredients for the best protection: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
“Of the 16 currently marketed active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) for use in sunscreens,” Fromowitz says. In contrast, two other ingredients, PABA and trolamine salicylate, are not GRASE for use in sunscreens, due to safety issues. And the FDA is currently asking for additional research data on the 12 other ingredients on the market.
Physical sunscreen like zinc oxide—think the white-nosed lifeguards, though formulations have gotten better through the years—begin to work immediately because it reflects UV rays. But chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed and work by absorbing the UV rays, so apply that 15 to 30 minutes before you expect to be in the sun, he says.
An SPF of 30 or above is best for preventing the effects of aging, burning and cancer.
Look for the following two ingredients for the best protection: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
“Of the 16 currently marketed active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) for use in sunscreens,” Fromowitz says. In contrast, two other ingredients, PABA and trolamine salicylate, are not GRASE for use in sunscreens, due to safety issues. And the FDA is currently asking for additional research data on the 12 other ingredients on the market.
Physical sunscreen like zinc oxide—think the white-nosed lifeguards, though formulations have gotten better through the years—begin to work immediately because it reflects UV rays. But chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed and work by absorbing the UV rays, so apply that 15 to 30 minutes before you expect to be in the sun, he says.
An SPF of 30 or above is best for preventing the effects of aging, burning and cancer.
Sunrise, Sunset
“Sun protection is an important part of skin health, and the prevention of skin cancer, which I diagnose and treat—and reconstruct the defects after treating—in my practice,” says Dr. Inessa Fishman of Aviva Plastic Surgery & Esthetics in Atlanta.
When you take steps to protect yourself from skin cancer, you’re also preventing other undesired effects: “Sun protection is important for both the health and appearance of the skin … wrinkles [and] age spots are related to sun exposure. While we should not be hermits or restrict our lifestyles, we should practice good sun protection and teach our children to do the same,” she says.
When you take steps to protect yourself from skin cancer, you’re also preventing other undesired effects: “Sun protection is important for both the health and appearance of the skin … wrinkles [and] age spots are related to sun exposure. While we should not be hermits or restrict our lifestyles, we should practice good sun protection and teach our children to do the same,” she says.
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