South DSM News

PELLA, Iowa –In observance of National Cancer Prevention Month, Pella Regional Health Center is reminding the public about the importance of talking to their healthcare provider about skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer, and how it can be prevented. According to the American Cancer Society, here are some risk factors that can make a person more likely to get skin cancer:

• Being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from spending time in the sun or using tanning beds
• Having many moles
• Having fair or lighter skin, freckles, and light hair
• Having a history of skin cancer in your family
• Having a weak immune system
• Getting older

It is hard to know if a change in your skin might be cancer. Here are some things to look for according to the American Cancer Society. Finding one or more of these things does not mean you have cancer, but that you should be checked by your healthcare provider.

• A new or changing growth, spot, lump, or bump on the skin
• A sore that bleeds or doesn’t heal
• A rough or dry red area on your skin, which might crust over or bleed
• New itchiness, soreness, or pain
• A rough bump
• A mole (or other spot) that’s new or changing in size, shape, or color
• A mole with an odd shape, uneven edges, or areas of different colors
• Spread of the color of a mole outside the edge of a mole
• Redness or new swelling outside the edge of the mole
• Change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding, new lump or bump

If you find something new or different during a skin self-exam:

• Draw a circle around the area with a marker or pen
• If your phone has a camera, take a picture of it
• Make an appointment to have a healthcare provider look at it. The only way to know if it is skin cancer is to talk with an expert.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays come from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells. To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, you can protect your skin from UV rays from the sun, and avoid artificial sources of UV exposure like tanning beds and sunlamps.

Here are some other ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer:

• Avoid being in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when sunlight is strongest. Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure year-round, not just in the summertime.
• Always use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher with UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum). Reapply every two hours if you stay in the sun, even on cloudy days.
• Wear protective clothing, headwear and eyewear.
• Never use tanning beds or sun lamps.
• Always use lip balm with SPF 30 or higher with UVA and UVB protection.
• See your health care provider about any skin changes or to get an annual skin check.
• Protect children from the sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer later in life.

To talk with your provider about skin cancer prevention at Pella Regional Health Center, call 641-621-2200 or go to https://www.pellahealth.org/request-an-appointment/.

Original source can be found here.