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Here comes the sun
May brought beautiful days and plentiful sunny hours to help us shake off the last of winter. It also brought National Skin Cancer Awareness Month – a topic near and dear to this pale-skinned plastic surgeon.
As we head outside to work and play, I want to answer some “burning” questions and bust a few skin cancer safety myths:
MYTH: Skin cancer isn’t something I have to worry about.
BUSTED: Skin cancers are the most common cancer in the United States – more skin cancers are diagnosed every year than all other cancers combined. By age 70, one of every five Americans will have had skin cancer.
MYTH: I tan easily and don’t burn, so I can’t get skin cancer.
BUSTED: Anyone with any skin type can get skin cancer. Most are basal or squamous cell cancers, but the rates of melanoma and other serious skin cancers are increasing. In our Central Indiana area, recent melanoma trends have been towards later (more advanced and serious) diagnosis vs earlier.
MYTH: I’m wearing clothes, so I’m protected from the sun.
BUSTED: Standard fabrics block some sun/UV, but how much depends on many things: Color, material, weave, and even clothing fit. Your favorite white cotton T-shirt only blocks about 20 percent of the UV you’re getting. Take the guesswork out when shopping: Look for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing items and wear them loose. UPF fabrics are especially great if you don’t like the “goop” factor of sunblock or miss a reapplication round.
Get outside to enjoy all that spring and summer offer. Most importantly, do it safely by avoiding the highest sun intensity times, using minimum SPF 30 sunblock and reapplying often, stock up on UPF clothes and wear your hats and sunnies.
Don’t forget to check your skin for changes and schedule regular visits with your skin care team – this can include your primary care physician, dermatologist, OB-GYN, oncologist and plastic surgeon. When they are caught early, most skin cancers are readily treatable and we’re here to help.
Dr. Rachel Scott is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in the Hendricks Regional Health Medical Group. Experienced in the most current and effective surgical techniques, she performs both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, with a focus on breast reconstruction, hands and complex wound care. Dr. Scott and her team at Hendricks Regional Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery can be reached by phone at 317-718-7980 and email plasticsurgery@hendricks.org.