How Much Do You Know About Skin Cancer?

Living so close to Sandy Hook, Monmouth, and all the water around us, we all get lots of sun. We know that sun is damaging our skin, both on the surface and into the deeper layers, so we apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Still, most of us are accumulating sun exposure.

Since more information is never a bad thing, Dr. Hetzler wants to give all of his patients a little more information on the sun and skin cancer. After all, every day he sees just what the sun can do, both in terms of skin aging and skin cancer.

So, here’s a little test to see just how much you know, or don’t know, about skin cancer. See how you do. Each question is true or false.

1. Skin cancer is the United States’ most common form of cancer.
2. Skin cancer can be prevented.
3. Using sunscreen will prevent skin cancer from developing.
4. Melanoma is the most common type of skin cancer.
5. You won’t get skin cancer from tanning beds.
6. Most skin cancer cases can be cured.
7. People with moles have a higher risk for melanoma.
8. Most people who get skin cancer die from it.

1. True. About one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. More than that number probably goes undiagnosed.
2. True. There are ways to lessen your exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Sun damage is cumulative, caused by UVA rays (they penetrate the skin and cause wrinkles) and UVB (they cause sunburn). Wear sun-blocking clothing. Wear sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Examine your skin regularly. Don’t use tanning beds.
3. False. Sunscreen doesn’t allow you to spend unlimited time in the sun. It helps block harmful rays, but you need to limit your exposure. Remember the SPF on a sunscreen simply tells you how much longer you can be in the sun that if you didn’t have sunscreen on.
4. False. Melanoma is only about five percent of skin cancers, but it does cause the majority of deaths.
5. False. Tanning beds increase your chances of developing skin cancer, not the other way around.
6. True. All skin cancers, if caught early enough, can be cured with surgery.
7. True. People with lots of moles or especially large moles are at a higher risk for melanoma. That number is thought to be 50 moles and above. Check your moles constantly to see if they change shape or color.
8. False. If detected early enough, most skin cancer cases are resolved successfully. But vigilance and early detection is key.

Living in coastal New Jersey, we all get lots of sun exposure. Think skin cancer prevention and have your skin checked regularly. Call us at 732-219-0447 for an appointment.