Written by Emily Swint, PA-C
General Surgery
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month and unfortunately, these types of cancers are on the rise in the United States. Nearly 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancers annually. While this information is sobering, the large majority of skin cancers are preventable through day-to-day lifestyle habits and serial skin checks. After all, the skin is the largest organ of the body and should be taken care of the same way we take care of our hearts or lungs.
Ways to prevent skin cancer are to simply avoid being outdoors for long periods of time during peak sun hours which occurs between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be outdoors during that timeframe, be sure to be dressed in long, light-colored clothing. The simple act of having your skin covered prevents harmful ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays from being exposed to uncovered skin. The added bonus of light-colored clothing helps to reflect the sun’s rays off your body. Wear a hat and sunglasses, too. Even using an umbrella will help to shield you from the rays. They’re not just for keeping the rain off you. Apply at least SPF 15 sunblock regularly, at least every two hours or after sweating or swimming. Sunblock should be applied even on cloudy days because there is still a degree of penetration of sun rays through cloud cover. The sun’s rays can damage unprotected skin after as little as 15 minutes of exposure.
Another important thing you can do to prevent skin cancer is to perform serial self skin checks at home by examining your skin from head to toe. Using a mirror, this check includes inspection between the webs of fingers, toes, looking at the beds of nails, looking at the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands, examining your scalp (as best as you’re able), behind and in your ears, at genitalia and looking at your backside including the buttocks. Using the simple and easy to remember “ABCDE” method for skin lesion appearance will help narrow down lesions which may be of concern and thus requiring medical evaluation.
• “A” for asymmetry
• “B” for borders
• “C” for color
• “D” for diameter
• “E” for evolution.
Lesions that have asymmetrical shapes, irregular borders or are multicolored, may require a professional medical evaluation. Further, Skin lesions with diameters greater than the width of a pencil eraser, about three-quarters of an inch, and skin lesions that appear to be changing rapidly may necessitate further attention. Visiting a Board Certified dermatologist or skin specialist with any concerning lesions found during self-exam would be the most prudent next step forward in managing concerning skin lesions.
Skin checks performed by a medical professional are generally performed on an annual basis. The provider will check your skin from head to toe and ask you questions about your lifestyle, including jobs you may perform, social and family history. Answers to these questions will help to determine if you have any risk factors that may increase your chances of developing skin cancer in your lifetime. Their recommendations are evidence-based so you know you are receiving the best, most up to date care possible. Other “weapons” against developing skin cancer in your lifetime include, abstinence from tanning beds and abstinence from smoking, chewing and consuming tobacco. These are proven carcinogens.
Finally, evidence that diet may help prevent against skin cancer is still inconclusive, but some studies suggest protective potential for certain foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, pink and red grapefruits and dark, leafy green vegetables. Be aware, however, that consuming these foods, while they could help in the overall prevention of skin cancer, should not be replaced in protecting your skin with proven methods such as with clothing, applying sunblock and limiting sun exposure.
Overall skin cancer prevention is ultimately about giving you the tools and information to make safe and careful decisions, while still being able to have fun outdoors. Hopefully the information discussed in this blog entry has given you some food for thought and will help reduce your risk as we enter the warmer months.
Gifford’s General Surgery team is available to provide skin checks and remove concerning lesions to be sent to pathology. To contact our team please call (802) 728-2430.
Emily’s clinical interest include 
preventative surgical care including lower and upper endoscopy and minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repair and gall bladder disease affording patients a rapid recovery allowing them to get back to their normal routines.
