The most common cancer in the world? Skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.
“Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light,” says Amber Nelson, NP, a primary care provider at Tioga Medical Center. UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps.
Skin cancer is preventable.
Despite being the most common cancer in the world, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. There are several steps you can take to protect your skin from the damaging UV rays.
Limit your time in the sun. Limit your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
Use sunscreen. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen should be applied wherever there is no clothing coverage, including the tops of your feet, neck, ears and top of head.
Nelson notes that wearing sunscreen is important all year, not just during the summer. “UV rays can reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow, so make sure you’re applying sunscreen even on the cool, cloudy days.”
Wear protective clothing. Wear protective clothing such as lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts. If wearing this type of clothing isn't practical, try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up.
Wear a hat and sunglasses. Wear a hat that has a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears and the back of your neck. Wear sunglasses to reduce the risk of cataracts and to protect the tender skin around your eyes.
“Avoiding the sun isn’t always practical, especially in North Dakota” says Nelson. “We work outside, and we play outside. Whether you’re farming, fishing or swimming, make sure you wear protective clothing, and slather on that sunscreen.”
Self-exams are key to early detection.
Regularly checking your skin can help catch skin cancer early, when it’s highly treatable.
Performing a skin self-exam means taking note of all the spots on your body, from moles to freckles to age spots. “When you perform a self-exam, you want to look closely at those spots – have they changed in shape or size? How about color?” says Nelson.
If you notice anything suspicious, it’s crucial that you make an appointment with your primary care provider or a dermatologist right away. “Dermatologists are few and far between in North Dakota, and if you do find one accepting new patients, you may have to wait a long time to be seen,” says Nelson. “Many primary care providers can perform the initial skin cancer check.”
If the spot in question is deemed suspect, the provider will remove the suspicious-looking skin and send it for lab testing. “We can perform a biopsy right here at the clinic. The biopsy will help us determine whether you have skin cancer, and if so, what type you have. We can then refer you on for further treatment if necessary.”
To make an appointment with a provider at Tioga Medical Center, call 701-664-3368.
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