Health examine your skin! year round Living under the blanket of the Florida sun requires a different level of diligence when it comes to caring for our skin year round. We tend to think of skin cancer just in the summer months, but The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that you do an Skin Self- Exam (SSE) every month. You should also have a clinical cancer-related checkup with your doctor during your annual exam. steps for a skin self-exam The best time to do a SSE is after a shower or bath. Make sure the room is brightly lit. If you need to, ask a friend or partner to help you with areas that are hard to see. • Look at your body-front and back-in the mirror. Lift your arms and check your left and right sides. Make sure you check your whole body thoroughly, not missing any areas. • Become familiar with your body. It is important to know where your moles, birthmarks and blemishes are and what they usually look like. • Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, upper arms and hands. Be sure to check the undersides of these areas as well. • Look at the back and front of your legs and feet. Do not forget between your toes and the soles of your feet. • Check your face, the front and back of your neck and your scalp using a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look. Most people have a lot of trouble looking at their own scalp. If your hair is long, using a hair dryer to blow it out of the way may make seeing the scalp easier. • Check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror. Benjamin Franklin taught us that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Skin cancer is certainly preventable much of the time, but requires consistent effort. Think prevention and awareness: • Do Not Burn. Overexposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. • Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds. UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you do spend time in the sun practice good sun safety. • Use Sunscreen. Generously apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. • Cover Up. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, when possible. • Seek Shade. Seek shade when the sun’s UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. • Watch for the UV Index. Pay attention to the UV Index when planning outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to the sun. (CDC.gov) 14 WomanToWomanMagazine.com
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