[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/08\/facts-skin-cancer-prevention\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/08\/facts-skin-cancer-prevention\/","headline":"Top 5 Facts About Skin Cancer: Prevention and Detection","name":"Top 5 Facts About Skin Cancer: Prevention and Detection","description":"Learn the most important facts about skin cancer prevention and detection from a UPMC expert.","datePublished":"2019-08-15","dateModified":"2022-10-04","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/skin-cancer_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/skin-cancer_blg.jpg","height":326,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/08\/facts-skin-cancer-prevention\/","about":["Cancer Care","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":811,"keywords":["Ajaipal Kang","basal cell cancers","lung cancer","Melanoma","prevention","skin cancer","Skin Cancer Foundation","skin cancer risk","squamous cell cancer","sunscreen","United States"],"articleBody":"An appointment at the tanning salon may be riskier than you realize.“More people get skin cancer from tanning beds than people get lung cancer from cigarettes,” says Ajaipal Kang, MD, a plastic surgeon at UPMC Hamot. This fact may shock you \u2014 and it should. Dr. Kang wants everyone to understand how serious an issue skin cancer is in the United States.In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report it as the most common type of cancer in the United States.Skin Cancer Facts: Prevention and DetectionWhen it comes to skin cancer, Dr. Kang says prevention is key. You can take simple steps every day to limit your exposure to dangerous UV rays. Early detection can make treatment more manageable. These are Dr. Kang’s five essential skin cancer facts.1. Using a tanning bed increases your risk of skin cancer by 75%.Skin cancer is mostly the result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Most people are exposed to UV light from the sun. But indoor tanning beds are the second most prevalent source of UV light, according to Dr. Kang.Research shows that women under the age of 35 who use tanning beds increase their risk of skin cancer by 75%. Women who use tanning beds just once a month increase their risk of melanoma \u2014 the most serious type of skin cancer \u2014 by 55%. To get that sun-kissed glow, Dr. Kang recommends spray tans as a safe alternative.2. Sunscreen with SPF 30 is fine \u2014 as long as you apply it correctly.SPF \u2014 sun protection factor \u2014 is a relative measurement of how long your sunscreen will protect you from UV rays. (For example, 30 SPF equals 30 minutes of protection.) Dr. Kang says SPF 30 is the ideal number. There’s no need to use a higher SPF, as long as you’re applying it properly.You should put about two tablespoons of sunscreen on your face and any exposed skin daily. Wait 15 minutes so it can soak in before going in the sun; then reapply every few hours if you’re sweating or around water. Otherwise, one application in the morning is fine.Dr. Kang recommends making sunscreen part of your daily routine \u2014 and keeping it near your toiletries or in your car. Research has shown that if your sunscreen is next to your toothpaste, you’re more likely to use it.3. Avoiding the sun at peak hours helps to reduce risk.Of course, you want to spend time outside during the summer \u2014 but be mindful of the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it\u2019s burning rays are strongest. If you do go outside during this time, be sure to apply enough sunscreen and cover all exposed areas. Wearing a sun hat or long-sleeved shirt also can help reduce your risk of sunburn.The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen every day if you\u2019ll be outside. Even on an overcast day, it’s still possible to get burned.4. Only some moles are cause for skin cancer concern.Check your moles on a regular basis. Dr. Kang says to follow the ABCDEF rule: You should see your primary care doctor if a mole is:Asymmetrical (A).Has irregular borders (B).Is multiple colors or has changed colors over time (C).Is larger in diameter than a pencil eraser (D).Is evolving in shape or color (E), or looks funny in any way (F).If you have a mole that’s ulcerating or bleeding, you should see a doctor immediately.“On the other hand, if you’ve had a mole that’s been the same for 20 years and there has been no change, it is probably fine,” says Dr. Kang.5. Prevention is vital for everyone.“Having fair skin, red hair, or blue eyes definitely elevates your risk for skin cancer,” says Dr. Kang. But just because you’re not pale-skinned doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about prevention. He says that people with darker skin need to be just as careful about sun exposure.Similarly, although women are diagnosed with skin cancer more often than men, men still need to do all they can to prevent the disease and monitor their skin for symptoms. This is especially important to remember, Dr. Kang explains, because men may be less likely to seek health care and to use sunscreen.“Don’t forget,” says Dr. Kang, “just five sunburns in your lifetime is enough to increase your risk.” So slather on the SPF 30, avoid the sun when it’s strongest, and see your doctor if you notice a funny mole. Early detection is key. The earlier skin cancer is caught, the more likely it is to be curable.Find more information on skin cancer, including details on symptoms and treatment options, by visiting our website.\u00a0Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 15, 2019, and was last reviewed on October 4, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Top 5 Facts About Skin Cancer: Prevention and Detection","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/08\/facts-skin-cancer-prevention\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]