Summer is just around the corner! With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, more people will be spending time outside.  This summer, when you’re outside, be sure to protect yourself against skin cancer. 

Here are some tips to help you protect your skin: 

• Always wear sunscreen when you’re outside, even if it’s just for a little while or if it’s cloudy out.
• When you can, stay in the shade.  
• When you’re outside, wear clothes made from tight-woven fabrics, so the sun's rays can't get through to your skin.  Also, wear long sleeves and long pants to protect your arms and legs and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck, shoulders and ears.  
• Try to avoid being in the sun, using tanning beds or sunlamps.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.  It is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin that is usually caused by exposure to Ultra Violet or UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds. Skin cancer appears as a change on the skin and can occur anywhere on the body, but is usually found on areas of skin that are exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.

Get to Know Your Skin

Every month or two, it is a good idea to check your skin for new growths or other changes that might be cancerous.  Here are some things you should check for: 

• A new growth or sore that does not heal. 
• A small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. 
• A firm red lump that sometimes bleeds or develops a crust. 
• A flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly. 
• A change in the color, shape, or thickness of a mole.

Think ABCD

A mole is a spot on the skin that is usually harmless.  When you check your skin, be sure to look for abnormal moles.  Think of the letters A, B, C, and D when checking your skin for abnormal moles.  If you have any one of these, talk with your healthcare provider. 

Asymmetry - In an abnormal mole, both sides of the mole do not match one another. 

Border - The edges of an abnormal mole are ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular. The pigment (color) may spread into the surrounding skin. 

Color - The color of an abnormal mole is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present.  Even white, grey, red, pink, or blue may be seen. 

Diameter - There is a change in size.  Abnormal moles are usually bigger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 millimeters).

If you see something that does not look normal on your skin, talk with your healthcare provider and ask for a skin check.  Your provider can also answer questions you have about skin cancer and prevention.

Who is at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Everyone is at risk for skin cancer from current or past exposure to sunlight. However, some people have a higher risk.  You might have a higher risk if: 

• You have a fair complexion, naturally red or blonde hair, and light-colored eyes. 
• You had or currently have a lot of exposure to the sun or artificial sources of UV rays, like sunlamps or tanning beds. 
• You have a history of sunburns, especially one or more severe sunburns before you were 18. 
• You have many (more than 50) ordinary moles. 
• You have had skin cancer in the past. 
• You have a family history of skin cancer.

For more Information

Remember, if you have questions or concerns about skin cancer, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Organizations 

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
http://www.cancer.org 

AMC Cancer Information and Counseling Line
1-800-525-3777
http://www.amc.org 

Cancer Information Service
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
http://cis.nci.nih.gov.

Information adapted from RelayHealth, 2009