Save Your Skin Foundation Reminds Us of Sun Safety During Melanoma Awareness Month
The Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian based not-for-profit, reminds us of sun safety during Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma Awareness Month is a global health initiative supported by the Save Your Skin Foundation, which provides awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. With further efforts being made towards prevention and education, the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes to further critical awareness.
Skin cancer is highly curable if detected early, so remember to follow sun-safety guidelines. There are many options for light breathable sun-safe clothing, organic sunscreens, and natural vitamin D sources. It’s never been easier to protect oneself from harmful UV rays.
What you can do to be ’sun-safe’:
- Always have sunscreen with you so you can apply it whenever an unplanned outdoor activity arises
- Use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 whenever you are outdoors (even on grey days)
- Wear protective clothing with long sleeves and wear hats and sunglasses
- Check for changes in moles, new moles and see you doctor right away if you see anything suspicious
- Limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm
- Do not use tanning beds, use sunless self-tanning products instead
Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Everyone, irrelevant of skin tone, can be at risk for skin cancer. To reduce the harmful effects of excessive and unprotected sun exposure, protection from UV radiation should be a life-long practice.
Early detection is crucial - The “ABCDE” system:
A is for Asymmetry, or irregularity of shape. Non-cancerous pigmented lesions usually are round and symmetrical, but early malignant melanomas are usually asymmetrical.
B is for irregular Border. Benign growths usually have regular margins.
C is for Colour. Cancerous growths tend to vary in shades - from tan to brown to black, sometimes mixed in with pink, red, or white.
D is for Diameter. If the growth measures more than 6 millimeters across (about 1/4″), it is dangerous.
E is for Evolution. Has there been a change in size, shape, color, or height? Has a new symptom developed (such as bleeding, itching or crusting)?
The Save Your Skin Foundation focuses on education and awareness, as well as providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer. This May, the Foundation will host two melanoma patient information symposiums. The first takes place Saturday, May 5 in Ottawa at the University of Ottawa from 10am - 2pm. The second will be in Montreal on May 19. Other symposiums will be taking place throughout Canada. Details will be posted soon on the Save Your Skin website. To register for the Ottawa or Montreal symposiums, visit http://www.2mevents.com/index.php/event/save-your-skin-foundation-patient-symposium or call Kelly Scott at 604-734-4223.
For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Kelly Scott at 604-734-4223.
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