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On the Safe Side



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If you toast in the sun, you may get burned
6/12/2005 4:59 AM
By: Bob Robuck

 
Summer means less clothing and more skin, and dressing for the season puts people at greater risk for skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five people will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. If any of them have five or more sunburns, their chances more than double.

That's why dermatologists say if you're going to toast in the sun, you may really get burned.

"The skin cancers that are linked to sun exposure, there are three types. There's basal cell carcinoma, squamos cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma," dermatologist Dr. Lisa Rhodes said.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type. It rarely spreads.
But squamos cell carcinoma can spread and can develop into large masses. Both cancers are curable.

Skin cancer survivor Jeff Long should know. His doctor diagnosed him with squamos cell carcinoma after years of sun exposure.

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On the Safe Side

Too much time in the sun can lead to skin cancer.



"After she removed this squamos cell carcinoma, which was malignant, it took six months to get a clear diagnosis of the cancer. I've been clear now for five years, so I'm a cancer survivor," Long said.

Then there's malignant melanoma. It's the worst kind of skin cancer and the deadliest. But even it can be treated.

Protecting your skin by using a full spectrum sunblock. Something that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays will greatly reduce your risks. Also make sure it contains Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide.

Periodic self-exams called the ABCD's can help you recognize new and developing lesions.

A - asymmetry, where one half of the mole doesn't look like the other.
 

B - border, an irregular or smudged border is a concerning factor.
 

C - color variations. Moles should be brown, not black, blue or white.
 

D - diameter. Moles shouldn't be bigger than the end of a pencil eraser.
 





Covering personal safety, crime prevention and community intervention, On the Safe Side provides tips for avoiding common hazards. Each Sunday, the segment highlights a different day-to-day safety concern.




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