Protect Yourself From The Bad Tan This Summer!

Protect yourself from the risk of melanoma, this summer!

Summer means the sun, but if you’re tempted to get outside and bask in its rays, take note: Recent research suggests that both non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and the more deadly melanoma are both on the rise.

Older adults are at particular risk, says Arash Akhavan, MD, clinical instructor in dermatology at Mount Sinai. “Much of the sun-induced damage in our skin is acquired in our younger years,” he says. “This is especially true for the current generation of older adults, for whom sun protection wasn’t as readily available in their youth as it is now.” He emphasizes that it’s vital for older adults to keep this in mind and be vigilant about monitoring their skin for signs of skin cancer.

Damage Occurs Over The Years

The three types of skin cancer that are linked to sun exposure include two NMSCs that are much less lethal than melanoma. Of these, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common, and is thought to be caused by intermittent short term sun exposure spread over many years. The next most common type, squamous cell cancer (SCC), occurs most frequently on skin that is continually exposed to sunlight over long periods of time.