Knowing the ways to avoid skin cancer can help avoid bigger risks down the road. Here are tips from Fox Chase Cancer Center.The President and First Lady have had it, and actor Hugh Jackman has had it half a dozen times.Mary Hartman also is no stranger to skin cancers."Some of them looked like dry patches of skin. Some looked like just discolorations," she adds.But last winter, Mary's dermatologist spotted something more worrisome on her back.
"Her melanoma was found extremely early," says Dr. Villano, a surgical oncologist, adding, "Those are the ones that we cure with removal." The doctor is seeing somewhat younger patients lately, but believes that's due to increased screenings. "A lot of people are being sent to us from their dermatologist, which is a really good thing, he says."Once you've had one type of skin cancer, even that, in and of itself independently, you're at higher risk of developing a second skin cancer," Dr. Villano notes.The Skin Cancer Foundation says five burns or more doubles the melanoma risk.
"They think - Okay, well, I'm not gonna get a lot of UV sun rays, it's not very bright out. But in fact, you do get a decent amount of UV exposure," says Dr. Villano.Don't forget a protective hat - skin cancer often develops on the scalp.Dr. Villano is taking that advice, "I'm in my mid-30s and I'm already seeing a dermatologist regularly just because of my fair complexion.