Protect yourself against skin cancer

As teenagers, my brother and I often basked in the sun in search of the perfect tans. To make the rays more potent, we routinely used record albums lined with tin foil to reflect them on our baby oil-covered faces.

My brother, who has blue eyes and light hair, and I, a redhead with fair skin, now regret this decision as we have both had basal cell carcinomas and he has also had a case of squamous cell carcinoma.

Skin cancer is actually the most common form of cancer in the United States, and rates are rising. At some point in their lives, one out of five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer.

Thankfully, many skin cancers, including my own, are treatable. But success depends on catching them in time. If left to grow, even less fatal forms of cancer such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell cancer may require more invasive treatment that can cause disfigurement, muscle or nerve injury, or even death.

While anyone can get skin cancer, small steps can help reduce the risk for yourself and your family. When going outside, remember to protect your skin by using broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, and wear hats, sunglasses, and clothes that help block the sun.

Screening saves lives, so if you notice any change in your skin, please talk to a health care professional.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and I encourage everyone to commit to protecting their skin this summer and taking steps to minimize this common, and often preventable, disease.

Julie Dann

Deerfield