Prevention and Protection
Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology educates and empowers amid Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Living in the Sunshine State, Floridians are aware of the sun’s presence on a daily basis. As much as we may love basking in the rays, the UV impact can cause harm, which is why Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology aims to raise awareness of skin cancer year-round, especially during Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May.
To this day, skin cancer is one of the most prevalent form of cancer in America. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest cancers to prevent.
Darla Hobbs, MPAS, PA-C with Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology, stresses that sunscreen and sun protection are key. She advises wearing sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or higher and reapplying every two hours. Further, she suggests investing in sun-protective clothing such as UV-protective shirts, hats and sunglasses.
She reminds patients that the sun’s rays can reach us, even on cloudy days, and that tanning beds contain the same harmful UV rays as the sun.
Regardless of how much time you spend in the sun, it’s wise to do monthly skin checks. Monthly skin checks involve examining your skin for moles, spots or lesions of the ABCDEs.
“A” stands for asymmetry, determining if a spot has differing halves. “B” is for borders. Borders that are not well-defined or have an unusual shape are cause for concern. “C” is for color, which could include brown, red, black, blue, pink or white and any changes in color over time. “D” equates to diameter; anything larger than a pencil eraser should be examined. “E” represents evolution, which means taking note of any changes in the above characteristics.
If you note any of those, you should call a dermatologist to examine the spot of concern.
“Early detection is key,” said Hobbs. “By having your skin examined, we can provide you with peace of mind that your mole is non-cancerous or provide a treatment plan.”
“While cancer can be scary to hear, the biggest reassurance we provide patients is that skin cancer treatments are highly effective” said Hobbs.
Should you have a concern, Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology prioritizes seeing patients quickly, especially those with a personal or family history of skin cancer.
Remember, you should enjoy the sun safely and be sure to have any suspicious spots examined by a Dermatologist.
