BALTIMORE — May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a disease that affects one in five Americans. May 6th has been declared Melanoma Monday to raise awareness about Melanoma.
Melanoma Monday is the first Monday of every May. The goal is for people to think about protecting their skin, especially as we get ready for the summer months.
Health experts say melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. However, it is preventable and treatable if caught early.
Dr. William Sharfman, an Oncologist at Johns Hopkins said anyone is at risk to develop Melanoma. Especially, those who have a lot of sun exposure or a family history of the disease. He urges everyone get checked out.
“Really all adults should have a good skin examine on a yearly basis. That could be from your family doctor, from your internist or from a dermatologist.” said Dr. Sharfman.
Here are some tips to protect your skin from according to the Melanoma Research Foundation:
- Seek shade when possible
- Cover up with clothing, sunglasses and a hat
- Try to avoid being in the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
Health experts also suggest using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours.
