Are You at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Whether you have light skin, dark skin, or something in between, you can get skin cancer. In fact, one-in-five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. With statistics like that, it’s important to know how to lower your risk and what to watch for so you can get treatment quickly. 

If you do get skin cancer, our team of skilled surgeons at South Florida Surgical Group in Miami, Florida can help. They remove skin cancers including basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. If the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, they’ll make sure you get the care you need from an oncologist.

Skin cancer risk factors

Everyone who spends time out in the sun is at risk for developing skin cancer. If you’ve ever had a sunburn, the risk goes up even more. That’s because the sun’s rays emit harmful ultraviolet radiation that can damage cells and lead to cancer. Tanning beds are also very dangerous. Other risk factors include:

• Fair skin
• Skin that burns or freckles easily
• Blonde or red hair
• Blue or green eyes
• A large number of moles
• A family history of skin cancer
• Older age
• Radiation treatment
• Exposure to arsenic
• A history of smoking
• A weakened immune system from certain viruses, diseases, or therapies

What to look for

Keep a watchful eye on your skin, and learn the ABCDE’s of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. If caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable. So, the sooner you find it, the sooner one of our surgeons can remove it, and the less chance it has of spreading. Here’s what you can do:

• Check your skin at regular intervals for new growths
• Watch any new growths carefully, and talk to your doctor if they keep growing
• Look for any changes in scars or moles you already have or for sores that don’t heal
• Examine your fingernails and toenails for dark bands that spread 

How to lower your skin cancer risk

To lower your risk of developing skin cancer, protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. This means:

• Avoiding long periods of sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun is the hottest
• Being mindful of the UV rays being reflected by water, sand, pavement, snow, and ice
• Wearing long sleeves and pants if you must be outside for long
• Avoiding tanning beds
• Wearing hats to protect your scalp and block your face
• Wearing sunglasses that block out UV rays to protect your eyes
• Using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that blocks UVA and UVB rays

If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, trust our experts at South Florida Surgical Group to remove it safely while giving you the best cosmetic outcome. Book an appointment online or call 305-279-9522 today.