Skin Cancer
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: June 18, 2010
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States - and numbers are on the rise. More than two million cases were diagnosed in 2009 alone. Dr. David L. Ross with the Freeman Cancer Institute says, "Some of that has to do with the growing population. More exposure to the sun, increases in UV radiation from 50 years ago. And tanning booths. I think tanning booths contribute to it somewhat."
Dr. Ross says the easiest solution is prevention. Take steps to protect yourself when you'll be outside. "The most important thing: avoid exposure to the sun. We're finding out you should have at least SPF 30 when in the sun. Put it on every two hours, after swimming, after sweating. Even though you don't get sunburned, you have the same amount of exposure."
Signs you could have skin cancer include changes in the size or color of a mole or bleeding, irritation or pain concentrated on one spot. Added Ross, "Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer are very curable if they're caught early enough. And especially melanoma, they tend to be very aggressive. And once they metastasize, we just don't have very good treatment once they metastasize. The trick is to getting them early."
Dr. Ross says the easiest solution is prevention. Take steps to protect yourself when you'll be outside. "The most important thing: avoid exposure to the sun. We're finding out you should have at least SPF 30 when in the sun. Put it on every two hours, after swimming, after sweating. Even though you don't get sunburned, you have the same amount of exposure."
Signs you could have skin cancer include changes in the size or color of a mole or bleeding, irritation or pain concentrated on one spot. Added Ross, "Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer are very curable if they're caught early enough. And especially melanoma, they tend to be very aggressive. And once they metastasize, we just don't have very good treatment once they metastasize. The trick is to getting them early."
