MAY | NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

COMMUNITY NEWS   5/1/2024

Nationally, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, and over 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed and treated in the United States. Statewide, Florida ranks as second in the nation for diagnosis of new melanoma cases. Locally, in 2017 alone, The Dermatology and Laser Center providers discovered 3,695 malignancies amongst the 7,669 biopsies they performed on clinically suspicious spots. With the rise in prevalence of melanoma and other skin cancers, The Dermatology and Laser Center at Medical Center Clinic stress the importance of sun protection to their patients, and encourage annual skin exams to catch suspicious spots early. Board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, David Gaston, MD, states, “Early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer is key, and is nearly 100% curative. Look over your skin periodically. If you notice new bumpy growths, changing moles, or nonhealing sore spots, get them checked by your primary doctor or a dermatologist.” Along with the importance of skin exams, taking steps to minimize your risk of harmful sun exposure is vital. “Prevention is the key to avoiding skin cancer. When spending time outdoors, always protect yourself with a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses, sun protective lip balm, and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, “recommends Scott McMartin, MD, board-certified dermatologist. The greatest risk factor of all skin cancers is sun exposure, and applying the correct amount of sunscreen is essential in protecting our skin. “The two most common mistakes people make with sunscreen are not applying enough and not re-applying. It takes on and one half ounces of sunscreen to cover your face. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2-3 hours and after coming out of the water,” recommends Kevin Welch, MD, board-certified dermatologist. To learn more about how to prevent skin cancer or to schedule a skin check, please call The Dermatology and Laser Center at 850.474.8386. For more information about our board-certified dermatologists and staff, visit MCCDermatology.com.