Skin Cancer Prevention And Early Detection

Skin Cancer Prevention And Early Detection

Skin cancer affects one-fifth of all Americans by the time they're 70. It's the most common cancer in the US as well as throughout the world. Although most skin cancers remain on the skin, especially in the early stages, they can spread and affect internal organs or bones as they progress. Early detection is key in treatment, but at Kind Dermatology and Medical Spa, serving Santa Barbara, CA, and the surrounding region, our team of skin experts stresses the importance of prevention.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

You may visit our Santa Barbara, CA, practice to learn more about prevention. In the meantime, here's what you should do about prevention. While your body can benefit from routine sun exposure, it's important to limit it. Ideally, you should get between 15 and 20 minutes of sun each day. This can help your body produce the vitamin D it requires for bone and cardiovascular health. It's also beneficial to your mental health.  

Try to stay in the shade as much as possible to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV radiation. 

Cover your skin when you're outside by wearing a hat and some type of clothing on your arms, legs, and chest. 

Wear sunglasses whenever you're outside and while you're driving. Make sure they're a medically approved pair because not every pair of sunglasses provides adequate protection from the sun. 

Make sure you're using, and reapplying, sunscreen when you are outside for prolonged periods.

Skin Cancer Detection 

Ideally, you should get checked for skin cancer once a year if you have or had a family member with melanoma or have a history of skin cancer or a precancer. 

If you notice any odd moles or peculiar marks on your skin, visit a dermatology specialist. This is particularly the case if the mole has jagged or irregular borders, is an odd color, or is getting larger. Be leery of moles or spots that are larger than the size of a pea. 

During the detection process, a practitioner from our practice will examine the mole and may possibly take a biopsy to assess it for cancerous cells. 

Early detection means the cancer can usually be treated using less invasive means. There's also a higher level of success when we intervene early as opposed to once the cancer has already spread. 

Skin cancer is a common issue, but it can be prevented in many cases. And Kind Dermatology and Medical Spa of Santa Barbara, CA, does our best to help patients prevent it as well as receive an early diagnosis.

To schedule a skin cancer screening, contact us today at 805-250-9891.