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Posted on: April 25, 2018

A diagnosis of cancer is enough to strike fear into the heart of anyone, so preventing an occurrence of the dreaded disease is important. Most people are aware of the dangers of skin cancer and how important protection from the sun is. Overexposure to the harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun most often occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone spending time outdoors in this time period should make sure they use a broad spectrum sunscreen that is water resistant. 

People with light skin, hair, and eyes burn more easily than those with darker complexions, so they must be especially careful to use proper skin care products. Parents should also use skin care products with a high sun protection factor on their young children no matter when they are outdoors. Responsible skin care for high-risk individuals should include a skin cancer screening every year, or as often as their dermatologist recommends.

There are three types of skin cancer that dermatologists see most often during a skin cancer screening. While all types of skin cancer are serious, Melanoma is the most dangerous. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the least threatening, but this type of skin cancer often develops into the more dangerous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 

Individuals who have been diagnosed with Melanoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma typically undergo a Mohs micrographic surgery. This technique is very successful in removing all the diseased tissue around and under the lesion, and surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed. If Melanoma has reached a more advanced stage, more intensive surgical procedures may be required.

Proper skin care is the best way to prevent an occurrence of skin cancer, so individuals of every skin type should take this into consideration. Even darker-skinned people can develop the condition, and erring on the side of safety is always the best choice.

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