Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about the risks of melanoma as we begin sunbathing at the beach and visiting the neighborhood tanning salons. At ABC Compounding Pharmacy we want to help you to stay safe in the sun. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and skin cancer is the most common form of this disease diagnosed in the United States.   Although it can be deadly, it is also very highly treatable, especially when caught in the early stages.

There are three different types of skin cancer, each with their own unique health risks. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common. The third is melanoma, which is extremely aggressive and can be ultimately fatal. Men and older adults are more at risk to melanoma, with one American being diagnosed every hour. While medical science has developed some very effective treatments for skin cancer, it is more important to learn about the known preventative measures that each of us can take during these summer months.

National Skin Cancer Statistics

• Over 5 million people are treated for skin cancer every year.
• There are more yearly diagnoses of skin cancer than colon, lung, breast, and prostate cancer combined.
• One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at least once in their lifetime.
• Some three thousand deaths occur each year from advanced basal cell carcinoma alone.

Skin Cancer Prevention

The best way to prevent the onset of any type of skin cancer is to get a yearly medical skin checkup from your dermatologist or primary care physician. These checkups involve a careful examination of the entire body for possible abnormalities of the skin that could be early warnings of skin cancer. These abnormalities commonly appear in the form of moles, but the appearance of a mole does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer.

Most moles are typically benign or “non-cancerous,” but it is still critically important to get them examined by a doctor once they appear. If the mole is indeed cancerous, then the disease can spread throughout the entire body once the cancer has penetrated the skin. Many people wait far too long to seek medical advice, perhaps worrying that treatment may result in scarring. When treated early, scarring is far less likely to occur. While many of us enjoy looking tan and fit, especially during the summer, we shouldn’t let vanity keep us from seeing a doctor once these types of skin abnormalities appear.