Doctors urge skin awareness to cut cancer risk

Posted Monday, May 12, 2025 10:00 am

Tips to take care of your skin

As the body’s largest organ, skin is of the utmost importance to overall health. It protects against germs, regulates body temperature and enables tactile sensations. Despite those vital functions, it is easily overlooked in health care regimens.

Dermatologists, including those from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), share tips on how to care for and protect the skin so it functions properly.

•Stay away from tanning beds. They can be just as dangerous as being in the sun because they emit harmful UV radiation that can cause skin cancer. The AAD says one indoor tanning session can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 20 percent.

•Quit smoking or never begin. Smoking makes the skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. It also depletes oxygen in the skin and can damage collagen and elastin, the fibers that give skin its elasticity and strength.

•Avoid an overload of products. Many dermatologists suggest sticking to the basics daily, which includes a mild cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Exfoliating the skin once a week can help remove dead skin cells, but don’t overdo it, which can lead to excess oil production and breakouts.

•Select the right products for your skin type. Choose products that pertain to your skin type, which may be sensitive, normal, dry, oily, or a combination thereof.

•Don’t forget the lips. Skin cancer can form on the lips, so use a lip balm that has an SPF of 30 or higher. Petroleum jelly can add moisture to the lips if they feel dry.

•Visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist is an expert in many conditions of the skin, hair and nails. He or she can perform an annual examination to look at the entire body and determine the health of skin, and identify any moles or spots that may be of concern.

•Check your own skin. Look out for new spots; spots that are different from other spots on the body; moles that itch, bleed or change color; and any other things that seem not quite right.

For City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and doctors are encouraging people to check their skin and recognize the warning signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Melanoma arises from the uncontrolled replication of melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigment, transforming them into cancerous cells. And while some forms of melanoma can take years to spread to other parts of the body, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says some forms – like nodular melanoma -- move much more quickly, taking just weeks to spread.

Melanoma might form within an existing mole or emerge on previously unaffected skin. Although areas frequently exposed to the sun are more prone to melanoma, it can develop anywhere on the body.

“Melanoma doesn't discriminate, but individuals with lighter or less pigmented skin face a higher risk,” said Dr. Patrick Kehoe, a board-certified dermatologist at Aspirus Health. “The most avoidable risk factor is long-term sun exposure. Ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds can cause mutations in skin cells, potentially leading to melanoma.”

Monitoring for new or changing moles, spots that grow quickly, or alterations in existing skin marks is crucial.

Detecting melanoma early significantly diminishes the risk of it metastasizing to other body parts, potentially saving lives.

For early melanoma detection and to safeguard yourself and your loved ones, remember the ABCDE guide:

A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.

B – Border: Edges are uneven, blurred, or notched.

C – Color: The mole has multiple colors, including black, blue, white, or gray.

D – Diameter: Larger than a pencil eraser.

E – Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or color over time.

"Preventing melanoma effectively means protecting your skin from solar radiation," Kehoe said. "I advocate using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, offering broad-spectrum protection. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, more so after swimming or perspiring, and consider wearing sun-protective clothing."

Early detection saves lives. If you notice any suspicious skin changes, schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist at aspirus.org.

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Doctors urge skin awareness to cut cancer risk

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