People can develop skin cancer from spending time in the sun without protection. The sun emits ultraviolet light that can cause mutations in the DNA of skin cells. Those who live near the equator have an increased risk of developing cancer from sun exposure. It is imperative that people understand what causes skin cancer so …
Tests for Detecting Melanoma
If you or your physician notice an unusual spot on your body that might be a sign of melanoma, there are a number of tests and questions that you will need to go through. These will help confirm or disprove a skin cancer diagnosis. The usual procedure is as follows: Questions about symptoms. The doctor …
The Essentials of Sun Protection for Children
Children love being out and about enjoying the sun, and it’s good for their health, too. However, a common risk of being outdoors is sun exposure. Skin damage from UV rays can start early on and have effects long after your child has grown. For this reason, it’s important for parents to consider what they …
Understanding the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays
Ultraviolet rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum found in sunlight. These rays are invisible to the naked eye and are classified according to their wavelengths as UVA, UVB, or UVC. The majority of UVC radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer and never reaches earth. UVA and UVB rays, on the other hand, are …
The Benefits of Choosing Mohs Surgery for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
More than three million people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer annually in the United States. Since sun exposure and indoor tanning are responsible for the majority of these cancers, they tend to occur on highly visible parts of the body, such as the neck and head. This can make surgical treatment cosmetically challenging and …
Protect Your Eyes from Sun Damage
One might be well familiar with how important it is to regularly apply sunscreen when outdoors to lower the risk of developing skin cancer. But there’s another key protective factor that can make all the difference. Eye protection is an often overlooked but crucial element in one’s skin protection regimen. The Negative Effects of Sun …
Skin Cancer Risk in Persons of Color
There is a common misconception among both doctors and patients that individuals with darker skin are immune from developing skin cancer. While it is true that the additional melanin in the skin of persons of color does provide some protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays, a person of any color or ethnicity can develop skin …
Summer is Not Over! Protect Your Skin from Excess Sun
“But, I need the sun! This is a phrase that I hear often in my office, especially in the summer, and my general reply is it just is not a healthy choice. Skin cancer rates are rising, and doctors are sharing the news that we must all be increasingly aware of the risk of skin …
What Are The Signs of Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer can be a very serious and even life-threatening condition, but unfortunately, not everyone knows the signs that could be pointing to cancer of the skin. Not all kinds of skin cancer are the same, so just checking for unnatural moles might leave you ignoring something that could potentially be dangerous. Here are the …
If I Have Melanoma, What Type Of Doctor Can Treat Me?
A person who has been diagnosed with melanoma needs to be treated by a dermatologist, especially one who specializes in skin cancers. What Is Melanoma? Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It gets its name because it begins in the melanocytes in the skin. These are cells that give skin, hair and eyes their …