American Cancer Society Cautions Sunshine State About Skin Cancer
Posted May 24, 2012 05:15 am
By
Stephanie Carroll Carson
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Temperatures are rising in Florida - and so are skin cancer rates.
The American Cancer Society wants to make sure Floridians stay safe this summer. Yolanda Wide, the society's health initiatives coordinator, recommends wearing sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 when outdoors and reapplying it hourly.
Link of interest:
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Learn about skin cancer
"Individuals interested in possibly receiving a skin
cancer screening can call the American Cancer Society at
1-800-227-2345 to find out if there is a screening in
their area."
In Florida, according to the federal Environmental
Protection Agency, almost 5,000 people were diagnosed
with skin cancer in 2009.
Every year more than 600 people die in Florida from
melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. St.
Johns County had the state's highest death rate - 96
percent higher than the national average.
Stay away from tanning beds, Wide says, and tell young
friends and relatives to do the same.
"Mostly teenagers tend to utilize tanning beds, so we
have literature geared specifically for them, so that
they understand that they are dangerous. "
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will
account for more than 75,000 cases of skin cancer this
year, the society says.
Anyone who is concerned about a mole that doesn't look
right shouldn't hesitate to check it out, Wide says.
When looking at moles, she adds, remember A-B-C-D -
things a doctor should check.
"A" stands for asymmetrical.
""B" is for border. "If the edges are ragged or blurred,
that is another sign to be cautious and go talk to the
doctor about."
"C" is for color. "Make sure the pigmentation is not
uniform."
"D" stands for diameter. If a mole is the size of a
pencil eraser or larger, Wide says, it should be
examined.
Wide says the Friday before Memorial Day is known as
"Don't Fry Day"...
"That is a day to raise awareness about skin cancer, and
just help people take steps to protect themselves from
the deadly disease of skin cancer."
While more cases of skin cancer are being diagnosed,
Wide says, the death rate is decreasing. Still, this
year the society estimates about 12,000 people will die
from skin cancer.