Each day, 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And at this very moment, 1 million of us are living with melanoma, the most dangerous — and the deadliest — type of skin cancer.

What is skin cancer

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. It can affect any part of the body, although the skin most often exposed to the sun is more likely to develop cancer. Moreover, most cases of skin cancer result from overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays or even tanning beds and sun lamps. In the short term, overexposure to UV rays will cause a sunburn. But over time, this overexposure will cause premature aging of the skin and, in some instances, skin cancer.

Skin cancer can take many forms, including:

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma
  • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • Sebaceous carcinoma

How can you help prevent skin cancer?

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin. Centivo Care recommends these 10 prevention tips:

  1. Limit exposure to the sun, including staying out of direct sunlight from mid-morning (about 10 am) until late afternoon (4 pm).
  2. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect you from both UVA and UVB radiation. Be sure to reapply often, especially if you have been swimming.
  3. If you must be in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat that shields your face, neck and ears.
  4. And, be sure to also wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts and long pants in darker shades of tightly woven fibers. Look for clothing labeled with a UV protection factor (UPV).
  5. Don’t sunbathe.
  6. Don’t use tanning beds or sun lamps.
  7. Wear UV-protected sunglasses.
  8. Use a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher.
  9. Ask your Centivo Care provider to refer you to a dermatologist.
  10. Every month, do a self-examination of your skin. Schedule an appointment if you notice new or unusual bumps, moles, lesions or rashes.

Who is most at risk for skin cancer?

Anyone can get skin cancer, so it’s important for everyone to take steps to prevent it and catch it early.. However, some individuals are at a higher risk. Take extra precautions if any of these risk factors apply to you:

  • A history of sun exposure
  • A family history of skin cancer or other cancers
  • Fair skin that burns, freckles and reddens easily
  • Blue or green eyes
  • Blonde or red hair
  • Skin with a lot of moles
  • Being 50 or older
  • Weakened or suppressed immune system
  • Previous skin cancer
  • Taking medications that cause sun sensitivity
  • Previous radiation therapy treatments
  • Carrying the human papillomavirus (HPV)

Your partner in cancer prevention

At Centivo Care, we believe educating patients on cancer prevention is essential to supporting their health. We give each patient a dedicated team of medical and mental health experts who work together to understand their needs and support their health goals—including preventing skin cancer.