Sun safety steps to prevent, detect skin cancer early
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The first day of fall is Monday, but that doesn't mean we stop protecting our skin from the sun here in San Diego. More than 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. The Skin Cancer Foundation expects over 212,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the country this year alone.
"Only 17% of men use sunscreen on a daily basis," said Dr. Melanie Palm. Dr. Palm went on to say some simple practices can help protect you. She recommends you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily and reapply every two hours if you`re outdoors. She also advises people to seek shade during the sunniest parts of the day, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you have concerns about skin cancer, Dr. Palm suggests using the ABCDE rule for moles: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution. She says evolution is the most important.
"That's new or changing. Something is different and doesn't belong," explained Dr. Palm. That is when you should seek the advice of a dermatologist.
Dr. Palm also says that even indoors wearing a tint can be helpful due to all the light and blue light we are surrounded by daily.
