Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Prevention, Signs & Symptoms

Dr. Emily Touloukian joins WBTW News 13 Lauren Hinnant to discuss skin cancer awareness month and important tips for practicing sun safety as well as ways to prevent skin cancer.

Some prevention practices that Dr. Touloukian recommends are:

1. Avoid long exposure to intense sunlight and practice sun safety.
2. Seek shade when appropriate.
3. Cover up with clothing, a wide brimmed hat and wear sunglasses to protect the skin around the eyes.
4. Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Reapply every 30 minutes.
5. Tanning beds and sun lamps should be avoided.

It’s important to know what to look for when checking your skin for changes. The most common symptom of skin cancer is skin changes including shape, size, color or feel of an existing mole, or other skin lesion or a new growth.

Thinking of “ABCDE” can help you remember what to look for:

Asymmetry: The shape of one half of the mole does not match the other half.

Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.

Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.

Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase.

Evolving:  The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months.

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