Skin Cancer
Remember that killer sunburn you had as a kid? It might have been more "killer" than you thought.
Melanoma
The deadliest type of skin cancer is melanoma, which is usually caused by sun exposure. Your risk of developing melanoma are doubled if you had at least two severe sunburns (the kind that give you blisters) before you were 18. Sure, at the time you probably put aloe gel and Solarcaine on it and hoped for the best, then it probably peeled, and the worst was over. Little did you know that it might come back to haunt you someday. Early detection is key in treating melanoma because it can spread fast. Besides, if it's caught early on, your chances of surviving it are much greater. If you have any dark brown or black moles that aren't perfectly round (meaning they have irregular edges) see a dermatologist immediately. And if you have kids, make sure they always wear sunscreen when they go outside, even if it's just to go outside and play.
Basal and Squamous Cell
Basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer are the most common kinds of skin cancer. Although they can spread if left untreated, in most cases, they are caught early enough that they are not deadly. Of the two, squamous cell skin cancer is more severe than basal cell skin cancer, but both are treatable. You might be at risk if you have a red, pink or white patch of skin that's crusty or a sore that doesn't want to heal. You may think it's nothing, but there's nothing wrong with at least having it checked out.
To avoid all kinds of skin cancer, stay in the shade when you're outside. If the weather permits, wear long sleeves and pants with a tight weave and/or a wide-brimmed hat. But if you simply want to enjoy a day at the beach or pool, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It should be at least SPF 15, and you should apply it at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun. In addition, reapply it after swimming.
All material copyright © 2008 Outdoor Safety USA. All rights reserved.
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