What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

Dr. Christina Boumpouka writes about the increasing risks of skin cancer as temperatures rise. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in humans, with the World Health Organization reporting approximately 3 million cases annually in developed countries. Of these, 330,000 are malignant melanomas. Early diagnosis and new treatments make melanoma curable. Everyone should include an annual preventive check-up and mole examination in their routine. The modern lifestyle suggests that one in five people will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, with projections indicating this could rise to four in five within the next two decades if lifestyles remain unchanged. Those over 50, individuals with fair skin, a history of sunburns, or taking immunosuppressive therapies are at higher risk. The ABCDE rule helps assess moles for potential issues: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolution of the mole. Preventive tips include avoiding sun exposure during peak hours, using protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+, avoiding tanning beds, self-examining your skin regularly, and scheduling annual dermatological exams. Remember, even dark-skinned individuals need sunscreen protection against UVA and UVB rays.