Skin Cancer in Their Lifetime

Prevent. Detect. Live.™

Prevent. Americans will develop in skin cancer in their lifetime. How can I prevent skin cancer? 1 5

The American Academy of Dermatology encourages you to have fun outdoors and follow these quick tips to decrease your risk of skin cancer:

• SEEK SHADE BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 2 P.M. If your shadow appears shorter than you, seek shade.

• WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, such as a long-sleeved shirt, ANYONE pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible. CAN GET SKIN CANCER, REGARDLESS OF SKIN COLOR • GENEROUSLY APPLY A BROAD-SPECTRUM, WATER-RESISTANT SUNSCREEN with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days and after swimming or sweating. ONE OUNCE OF SUNSCREEN, • USE EXTRA CAUTION NEAR WATER, SNOW AND SAND enough to fill a shot glass, is considered because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the ounce the amount needed to cover the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn. exposed areas of the body.

• AVOID TANNING BEDS. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue spotme.org to use sunscreen with it. Detect. How to check your spots What you’re looking for on your skin

SKIN CANCER SELF-EXAMINATION THE ABCDEs OF MELANOMA OTHER TYPES OF SKIN CANCER Checking your skin means taking note of all the Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin When checking your skin, please spots on your body, from moles to freckles to cancer. However, when detected early, look for signs of these other age spots. Ask someone for help when checking melanoma can be effectively treated. suspicious spots. your skin, especially in hard to see places. You can identify the warning signs of melanoma by looking for the following:

SYMM ORDE OLOR AME A ET B R C DI TE 1 Examine body R Precancerous Growth R front and back in A Y One half is unlike the B C D mirror, then right other half. and left sides, arms Actinic Keratoses (AK): YMM RD LOR Dry, scaly patch AS Examine E back of BO ER CO DIAMETE 2 TR R A neckY and scalp with B Irregular, scalloped or C or spots. D a hand mirror. Part poorly defined border. hair for a closer look EVOLVIN at your scalp. E G Skin Cancer

SYMM ORDE OLOR AME A ET B R C DI TE R Bend elbows, look R A Y B 3 C Varied from one area to D carefully at forearms, Basal Cell another; shades of tan back of upper arms, Carcinoma (BCC): and brown, black; some- VOLVI Flesh-colored, E andNG palms. YM RD LO AS ME times white, red or blue. BO ER CO R DIAMETE TR pearl-like bumps R E A Y B C or a pinkish patch D IAMET D ER of skin. D While melanomas are 4 Check back and 6m m usually greater than buttocks with a 6mm (the size of a pencil VOLVI E NG hand mirror. E eraser) when diagnosed, Squamous Cell they can Carcinoma (SCC): Red firm bumps, Finally, look at backs 5 VOLV E ING scaly patches or of legs and feet, E A mole or skin lesion that sores that heal and spaces between looks different from the YM RD LO then return. AS ME BO ER CO R DIAMETE TR R toes, and soles. A Y restB or is changingC in size, D shape or color. Example:

EVOLVIN E G

Download the Academy’s Body Mole Map at spotme.org to record your spots during your next skin self-exam. If you find any spots on your skin that are changing, itching, or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.

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Visit spotme.org to: WHEN CAUGHT EARLY, SKIN CANCER • Learn more about skin cancer IS HIGHLY TREATABLE • Find a dermatologist in your area

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