Tips To Prevent Skin Cancer And What To Look For

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and will affect one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life according to the American READ MORE

Tips To Prevent Skin Cancer And What To Look For

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and will affect one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Thankfully, if caught early, skin cancers are generally curable. If you are affected by skin cancer, your dermatologists at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville, MD, are here to help. Continue reading to learn how to prevent skin cancer as well as what signs to look for to determine if you need to talk to your dermatologist.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

One of the biggest rules that most people are taught at a young age is to always wear sunscreen when going outside, which is an important tip to follow. It’s extremely important to wear sunscreen not only during the summer but year-round. People underestimate the strength of the winter sun, but it’s still important to protect your skin even when it may not feel like the sun is doing much. You should be wearing at least SPF 15 to get the full benefits of sunscreen.

In addition to wearing sunscreen, it’s important to:

Avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
Wear protective clothing, such as a sun hat or clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Avoid tanning beds.
Check your skin regularly and be on the lookout for any irregularities.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Your dermatologist in Rockville, MD, will do the final diagnosing, but it’s important that you do regular check-ups at home. Skin cancer usually develops on any area of the skin that has been exposed to UV rays, such as the scalp, face, neck, chest, arms, or legs.

Signs to keep an eye out for are:

A bleeding or scabbing sore that continuously returns.
A firm, red nodule.
A mole that changes in size, color, or bleeds.
A small lesion with an irregular border.
A large brown spot with dark speckles.

Call Your Dermatologist Today

If you are concerned that you may have any of the symptoms of skin cancer, it’s important that you call your dermatologist at Shady Grove Dermatology, LLC in Rockville, MD, at (240) 246-7417 today!