May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so I'd like to take this moment to remind you all to use protection!!! If you're going out into the world, you need to make sure you take a few minutes to apply sunscreen or a product containing an SPF in order to shield yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. Not only can a tan or burn age your skin dramatically, it may also lead to skin cancer--something that is far from beautiful and at times deadly.Thankfully, there are many ways to "sneak" in your daily dose of sun protection. The market is flooded with SPF-containing moisturizers, foundations, powders, and creams, so you really have no excuse to go out into the world bare and ready for a burn.
Along with prevention, you also need to be aware of any moles or marks on your body that change in size or color, or that appear seemingly overnight. If you have any concerns about a mole, you should go to a dermatologist to have it checked out. You can also go in to your dermatologist for an annual body scan. Basically, all your moles, freckles, and birthmarks will be mapped out, so any changes can be found and examined early on. Sounds like a horrific experience, but it just might save your life in the long run.
So, with summer coming, just remember to play it safe and always, always, always wear sunblock. I'll leave you with a few "fun facts" about skin cancer from the American Cancer Society:
- More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by the sun.
- Ever hour, 1 person dies from skin cancer in the US. That's over 8,000 people a year.
- One bad burn in childhood doubles the risk for skin cancer later in life.
- More men are diagnosed with skin cancer than women.
