COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As the summer season approaches, more people will be heading to the pool and participating in several outdoor activities. However, the amount of time being outside could raise the risk of skin cancer.
There are several types of skin cancer, with the most common being basal cell and squamous cell, according to Dr. Frank Morocco, who’s a dermatologist with OhioHealth. Morocco said these are typically from UV light and radiation from over the years. There’s also Melanoma, which can spread to other parts of the body.
Some of the signs and symptoms to look out for including new moles, bumps or scabs on your skin or any changes to a mole or freckle, like its shape or color. Morocco mentioned “The ABCDEs” assessment for skin cancer and what to watch for, which includes:
- A: Asymmetry
- B: Border
- C: Color
- D: Diameter
- E: Evolving
“We recommend moles being checked on your own once a month,” Morocco said. “If you notice a mole you’ve had for a long time and you see any factors changing, that’s something you want to have brought to the attention of your physician.”
There are ways to prevent skin cancer including wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Morocco recommends wearing a mineral sunscreen since it reflects the sun instead of absorbing, but he says any sunscreen is better than applying nothing.
“You want to make sure they are broad spectrum, so that means they are covering UVA and UVB, you want to make sure it’s water resistant or waterproof,” Morocco said.
Also make sure you are reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the SPF level, Morocco urged. He also says to apply sunscreen and wait 30 minutes before going out into the sun as well.
For additional tips on how to prevent skin cancer, view the full interview with Dr. Morocco in the video player.
