Spring Screening

[30A Skunkape]

Hello all, I figured that I would urge everyone to take a quick stock of something very important now that spring is here and we will be shedding our heavy winter wear. I am talking about taking a look at your skin! Here is a quick way to do a melanoma screening exam on yourself or those comfortable enough to strip in front of you (;-) ). Remember the ABCDE's of melanoma...

A-Asymmetry. Melanomas have odd shapes to them.

B-Borders. Melanomas have ragged or obscure borders. Harmless moles usually have a nice sharp border with surrounding skin.

C-Color. Melanomas frequently have odd pigmentation;they can be dark brown to black with speckles of red or even blue. They also tend to crust, scab and bleed.

D-Diameter. Usually, melanomas are greater than 6mm in circumference;a good measuring stick?-a pencil eraser!

E-Expansion. Melanomas tend to grow!

As you probably know, those of us with light complexions are at greatest risk(but that does not exempt dark skinned people...think Bob Marley ) Be sure to apply sunscreen with SPF 15 at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Wear a hat! And for goodness sake, if you have a baby or child, please take the time to protect them from sunburn...they depend on you to guard their skin, and recurrent sunburns are a known risk factor for developing skin cancer. If you are concerned about an odd spot on your skin, please, please, PLEASE show your family physician as skin cancers caught early are curable with a simple excision. Left untreated, melanoma will spread, require intensive treatments and can be fatal!

 

[Bob]

Hello all, I figured that I would urge everyone to take a quick stock of something very important now that spring is here and we will be shedding our heavy winter wear. I am talking about taking a look at your skin! Here is a quick way to do a melanoma screening exam on yourself or those comfortable enough to strip in front of you (;-) ). Remember the ABCDE's of melanoma...

A-Asymmetry. Melanomas have odd shapes to them.

B-Borders. Melanomas have ragged or obscure borders. Harmless moles usually have a nice sharp border with surrounding skin.

C-Color. Melanomas frequently have odd pigmentation;they can be dark brown to black with speckles of red or even blue. They also tend to crust, scab and bleed.

D-Diameter. Usually, melanomas are greater than 6mm in circumference;a good measuring stick?-a pencil eraser!

E-Expansion. Melanomas tend to grow!

As you probably know, those of us with light complexions are at greatest risk(but that does not exempt dark skinned people...think Bob Marley ) Be sure to apply sunscreen with SPF 15 at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Wear a hat! And for goodness sake, if you have a baby or child, please take the time to protect them from sunburn...they depend on you to guard their skin, and recurrent sunburns are a known risk factor for developing skin cancer. If you are concerned about an odd spot on your skin, please, please, PLEASE show your family physician as skin cancers caught early are curable with a simple excision. Left untreated, melanoma will spread, require intensive treatments and can be fatal!

My dermatologist is from NO, and he's always happy to see me. I'm his walking profit center. I take my annual visits seriously, as my neighbor across the street lost his wife to melanoma at a very young age[20s]. She kept putting off going to the doctor until it was too late.

 

[dbuck]

Timely post Skunky, I went to the dermatologist this morning. I went in concerned about one particular mole, I walked out with the removal of two others that I hadn't really paid much attention to because I couldn't see them very well. Thanks for the reminder. :clap_1:

 

[Gypsea]

Good reminder Skunky!!!

 

[Franny]

Does sun screen expire? Or how long should a bottle last? I believe there should be an expiration date on each bottle.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Thanks Dr. Skunky, I have been putting off making an appointment with a dermatologist and this is a good reminder. You've seen how insurmountably pale and freckly I am :funn: so at my age I should do this yearly. It's been awhile since I had a skin check.

 

[Cheering472]

Thank you Dr Skunky. Great advice. Time for the mole patrol.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Does sun screen expire? Or how long should a bottle last? I believe there should be an expiration date on each bottle.

There is or at least on most. My beach bag is still sitting here and I checked. The only bottle that didn't have an exp date is a bottle of No-Ad. I replace mine yearly no matter what. It does lose it's effectiveness over time.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Thanks Skunky, I need to do this. I'm fair skinned and blue eyed and I've never been checked. I haven't seen anything suspicious but I do have more moles/freckles and now age spots than I used to. I've always been a sun worshiper and it's catching up with me. Mom always said it would.:roll:

 

[TooFarTampa]

Yay Skunky! Thank you for the figurative kick in the pants, I've made the appointment with my new dermatologist for May 2.