Skin Cancer Prevention

Physicians at Dallas Associated Dermatologists recommend you heed the following advice from the American Academy of Dermatology:

Protect Yourself From The Sun

• Generously apply a broad-spectrum (protection from UVA and UVB rays), water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin.  Re-apply approximately every two hours and after swimming or sweating, even on cloudy days.
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
• Seek shade if your shadow appears to be shorter than you.  Sun rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm.
• Children should also wear sunscreen, protective clothing and play in the shade.
• Use caution near water, snow and sand which reflect and intensify damaging rays of sun and increase chances of sunburn.
• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include supplements.  Don’t seek the sun.
• Avoid tanning beds.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer:

• Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
• Check your birthday suit on your birthday.  Use the American Academy of Dermatology’s Body Mole Map and apply the ABCDE’s of Melanoma during your exam.
• A is for Asymmetry: One half unlike the other half.
• B is for Border: Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
• C is for Color: Varied from one area to another: shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.
• D is for Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
• E is for Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
• If you notice a mole different from others or that changes, enlarges, itches, or bleeds (even if it’s small), you should see your dermatologist.