Summer is filled with lots of outdoor activities from pool days to outdoor grilling with family and friends. While the sunshine may be good for the soul and for boosting our Vitamin D production, there can be some dangerous trade-offs that come from too much sun exposure and improper UV protection practices. 

According to Darci Portie, family nurse practitioner with Imperial Health’s Iowa Primary Care Clinic, “skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. More skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year than all other cancers combined. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is most often the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotches or spots on your skin.” 

Melanomas are the most dangerous form of skin cancer. A recent research study indicates that about half of melanomas are self-detected. Checking your skin from head to toe on a regular basis can help you locate problem spots early. Early detection starts with you – and not only for yourself, but for your loved ones, too. 

“Performing regular, self-examinations can alert you to changes in your skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer. It should be done often enough to become a habit, but not so often as to feel like a bother. For most people, once a month is ideal,” says Portie. When checking your or a family member’s skin, take note of all the spots on the body, from moles to freckles to age spots.

When checking your or a family member’s skin, take note of all the spots on the body, from moles to freckles to age spots.

Six steps for sun screenings:

1. Examine front and back.
2. Look at both right and left sides while raising the arms.
3. Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms and palms.
4. Examine the back of neck and scalp.
5. Check backside.
6. Be sure to look at back of legs and feet, as well as the soles of the feet and spaces between toes.

When looking at moles, growths, or brown spots, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends relying on the ABCDEs of Melanoma:

A - Asymmetry

If you draw a line through a melanoma, the two sides will not match.

B - Border

The border of an early melanoma tends to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.

C - Color

Most healthy moles are all one color. Talk to your doctor about moles that have varying colors.

D - Diameter

Melanomas are usually larger in size than the rubber at end of a pencil eraser (1/4 inch or 6mm).

E - Evolving

Any change in shape, color, size, elevation (height), or any other trait, or a new symptom like bleeding, itching or crusting is a warning sign.

“If you notice any new or suspicious spots on your skin, or any spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist,” recommends Portie.

The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented, and it can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early.

Take simple steps today to protect your skin:

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant, SPF 30+ sunscreen. Be sure to reapply every two hours and after you swim or sweat.
• Wear sun protective clothing and seek shade when possible.
• Check your skin regularly for changes.

Prevention is key. "Suffering five or more sunburns doubles your lifetime risk for developing skin cancer. It’s important to avoid spending long periods of time in the sun and when you feel yourself turning red, take cover,” says Portie. “Additionally, short periods of time in the sun are cumulative, increasing one’s risk for skin cancers later in life. This is why daily sun protection is so important.”