
Looks like fun, huh?
Maybe not.
According to the American Cancer Society, every hour an American dies from skin cancer. THAT’S INCREDIBLY SAD, since research has shown with the proper precautionary measures, skin cancer is one of the most preventable diseases. Yet, many Americans continue to use sunscreen products with minimal protection and spend endless hours exposing themselves to dangerous ultra violet rays from the sun and indoor tanning facilities. With so many different messages surrounding skin cancer, it becomes difficult to decipher myth from fact and, unfortunately for many, the results can be life threatening.
“I see many patients who have misconceptions about skin cancer and the severity of the disease,” says Darrell Rigel, M.D., president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). “Myths surrounding skin cancer also affect the amount of misdiagnoses and mistreatments of the disease because more people visit walk-in-clinics and spas instead of seeing a board certified dermasurgeon when they have questions about a spot or a mole on their skin.”
According to a recent ASDS survey, 90 percent of its members have seen patients who’ve had skin cancer misdiagnosed or overlooked.
Just in time for baking-all-day-long-in-the-sun-season, Dr. Rigel addresses the most common skin cancer myths and sets the record straight.
Myth: Getting a suntan instead of sunburn will prevent skin cancer.
Fact: A suntan and sunburn are both signs that the skin has been damaged by Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Any skin color that you weren’t born with is a sign that skin cells have been damaged.
Myth: High Sun Protection Factor (SPF) means high protection.
Fact: Some of the highest SPF numbers only protect against Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and not harmful Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays can pass through windows and are able to penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially leading to skin cancer.
Myth: Skin cancer only affects older adults.
Fact: Young people are at as much risk of skin cancer as older adults. Due to overexposure to the sun and the use of tanning beds in their teenage years, melanoma is the second most common cancer in women ages 20 through 29.
Myth: Skin cancer isn’t as dangerous as other cancers.
Fact: Melanoma, the deadliest for of skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States and accounts for approximately 8,420 deaths each year. It’s important to monitor all freckles, moles and marks on the skin and to visit a dermasurgeon immediately if you notice a change.
Myth: People with dark skin are safe from skin cancer.
Fact: Although people with fairer complexions are at higher risk, people with medium to darker complexions can still get skin cancer. It’s important to protect yourself from UV exposure, no matter what your skin tone.

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**Photos Courtesy of iStock**
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