Learning

July 6, 2011

Get ‘sun smart to prevent skin cancer

• Asymmetry: Is one half of the abnormal skin different from the other half?
• Border: Are there jagged or uneven edges?
• Color: Does the color vary from one area to another?
• Diameter: Is it larger than the eraser on the end of a pencil?
• Evolution: Has it changed in color or shape over time?

If you notice any of these abnormalities, you should make a prompt appointment for a skin evaluation. At this visit, your doctor will look at the size, shape, color and texture of any suspicious areas. If a biopsy is needed, a piece of skin will be removed and examined under a microscope. Based on the results, you may be referred to a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.
For most people, exposure to sunlight and other ultraviolet radiation is the greatest risk factor for developing skin cancers. Because this risk is associated both with long-term exposure and with severe sunburns in childhood, protection should begin early in life by following recommendations from the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.

•    Wear sunglasses and protective clothing: a wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and a long skirt or pants.

•    Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the most intense.

•    Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously at least one-half hour before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and immediately after swimming or sweating.

•    Use extra caution near water, snow and sand. These surfaces reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase the chance of sunburn.

•    Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. Consider using a sunless self-tanning product to simulate the appearance of having been in the sun, but continue to use sunscreen.

•    Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements.

By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer while still enjoying the year-round outdoor activities that make the Pacific Northwest such a livable area. And you can help our region move up on the next “sun smart” survey. 

Prachi Munshi, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine doctor at the UW Neighborhood Clinic in Woodinville. For more information, call 800.852.8546 or visit www.uwmedicine.org/uwpn.