Do’s and Don’ts for Preventing Skin Cancer

With Memorial Day fast approaching, we at Goldsmith Podiatry know many of our Manhattan patients are looking forward to enjoying beach days, barbecues, and other fun outdoor activities. That’s why May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other forms of cancer combined? However, the good news is even Melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer has a 99 percent 5-year survival rate if treated early. Below are some do’s and don’ts for helping prevent skin cancer.

DO: Remember, you don’t need to see the sun to be affected by dangerous UV radiation. You can get a sunburn on a cloudy day. The intensity of the sun’s rays increases when reflecting off sand, water, and snow. UV rays can also pass through the windows in your car.

DO: Apply sunscreen daily. Sun damage is cumulative. Walking the dog, a trip to the mailbox, or weekly shopping may seem like a short amount of time out to bother with sunscreen, but all those little exposures add up to long-term damage to your skin. It’s best to get in the habit of putting on sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB radiation with a minimum SPF of 15 daily. Use an SPF of 30 or higher that’s water-resistant when you know you’re going to be out in the sun for hours, like going to the beach or at the pool. Reapply after swimming or every two hours.

DON’T: Use tanning beds, ever! Indoor tanning beds can raise your risk of developing skin cancer by 75%.

DO: Look for shade whenever possible and particularly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

DO: Examine the skin on your feet (and the rest of your body) monthly. Look for new moles and freckles on the tops and bottoms of your feet, between your toes, and under toenails. Check existing moles and freckles and report any changes in color, size, shape, or appearance to our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia promptly. Contact our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002 for an appointment.