Hope for reformed sunbathers
Every summer it's the same thing: magazine articles and news reports that list the benefits of sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats. If years of sunbathing flash before your eyes every time you hear such a warning, you're not alone.
"Even if you've spent years sunbathing, it's not too late to start protecting your skin," cautions Koulin Chou, MD, a dermatologist at Virtua Health. "It's especially important to schedule an annual full-body screening with a doctor and to do a monthly self-exam."
- Check skin in a well-lit room, and use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror.
- Check all areas including the back, the scalp, between the buttocks and the genital area.
- Take note of the location and appearance of each birthmark, mole and blemish.
"If you find anything unusual - a change in the size, texture or color of a mole, or a sore that doesn't heal - see your doctor right away," says Dr. Chou. "The earlier skin cancer is found, the better the chance for a cure."
If you'd like a FREE fact sheet about protecting yourself from skin cancer, call 1-888-Virtua-3.