Summer is here in the Bay Area! As you head out to enjoy the long summer days, remember to protect your skin daily with sunscreen. A physical sunscreen with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide and a minimum SPF of 30 will give you the best protection. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
While enjoying the summer and exposing more skin, watch for any of these warning signs of the ABC’s of skin cancer from the American Cancer Society:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are irregular, ragged, blurred, or notched.
Color: The color over the mole is not the same all over. There may be shades of tan, brown, or black.
Diameter: The mole is larger than about ¼ inch – about th size of a pencil eraser; although, doctors are now finding more melanomas that are smaller.
Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if detected early. Schedule an appointment with your provider if you notice any of these warning signs or have any skin concerns.
For more information on skin cancer, call the American Cancer Society toll free anytime 24/7 at 1-800-227-2345, or visit www.cancer.org
