beauty
May
by Nouveau Medispa
SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Take a moment and The incidence of skin cancer
been increasing in epidemic
picture the four people has
proportions. Despite education
you love most in the and efforts to address risk factors
world. Maybe they such as poor sun protection and
tanning, the rate of
include your parents, indoor
melanoma skin cancer
your children, your doubled between
spouse, a sibling, or 1982 and 2011.
a best friend. Now, Thankfully, if
early,
consider the fact that caught
skin cancer can
one in five people be treated very
will be diagnosed successfully. In
about six
with skin cancer fact,
out of seven
this year. It is very melanomas will be
possible that you or one cured if they are found
The key to prevention
of those four loved ones early.
and early detection of skin
could be faced with this cancer is following three easy
dangerous and very steps: prevent, detect, and treat.
prevalent form of cancer PREVENT
in the next 365 days. The most important step!
Exposure to natural and artificial
ultraviolet light is the main
risk factor for all types of skin
cancer, and most people do not
adequately protect themselves.
One out of every three adults has
had a sunburn in the past year.
In our culture, tanned skin is seen
as attractive and healthy, which
can create resistance to the use
of sunscreen and increase the
appeal of indoor tanning.
Nouveau Medispa HAC
By the Downstairs Lobby
302-235-4961
www.nouveaucosmeticcenter.com
Mention this article and receive 20%
off any medical grade sunscreen!
34
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To prevent exposure, wear
sunscreen every day, year round,
indoor or out, shade or sun. It
has been estimated that regular
use of sunscreen with an SPF of
15 or greater for the first 18 years
of life can reduce the incidence
of non-melanoma skin cancers
by 78% (we recommend SPF 30
or higher). Not all sunscreens are
created equally, however, and
they must be used correctly to be
effective. Look for those with the
following qualities:
• Broad-spectrum protection
(protects against UVA and
UVB sun rays)
• Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
of 30 or higher
• Water resistance
Sunscreen should be
reapplied every
two hours and
immediately after
swimming or
heavy sweating.
In addition to
wearing sunscreen,
seek shade when
possible and avoid
the sun during peak hours
from 10 am to 4 pm, wear
protective clothing, and avoid
tanning beds.
DETECT
Skin cancers found and removed
early are almost always curable.
But early detection can only
occur with monthly head-totoe self-exams and annual skin
screenings by a licensed medical
provider. During a self-exam, be
sure to have bright lighting and
use both a full-length and handheld mirror so you can examine
every inch of your skin.
There are three
main types of skin
cancer: Basal
cell carcinoma,
Squamous cell
carcinoma, and
Melanoma.
Because the
appearance of
each type can
vary, it is important
to know the early warning
signs. Look for any changes,
including lesions that look
abnormal, are new, or stand out
as the “ugly duckling” (the mole
that looks different from the rest).
Skin cancers can be painless,
but dangerous at the same time.
See a doctor right away if you
notice one or more of the below
characteristics.
Warning Signs:
• A skin growth that increases
in size and appears pearly,
translucent, tan, brown, black,
or multicolored
• A mole, birthmark, beauty
mark, or any brown spot that:
• changes color
• increases in size
or thickness
• changes in texture
• is irregular in outline
• is bigger than 6mm or
1/4” (about the size of a
pencil eraser)
• appears after age 21
• A spot or sore that
continues to itch, hurt,
crust, scab, erode,
or bleed
• An open sore that
does not heal within
three weeks
TREAT
Treat possible precancerous and
cancerous skin lesions
promptly. Don’t overlook
an ۸