I. Be Sun Smart^SM
II. ABCDE's of Melanoma
III. Performing a Skin Self-Exam

Protect yourself from the sun
      Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma^[1][2]. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here's how to Be Sun Smart^SM

• Generously apply a water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to all exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® on products that meet these criteria.

• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

• Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing and applying sunscreen.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.^[3]

• Avoid tanning beds.  Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

• Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

[1] American Cancer Society. 2008 Cancer Facts and Figures. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf
[2} Robinson, JK. Sun Exposure, Sun Protection and Vitamin D. JAMA 2005; 294: 1541-43.
[3] Hemminki K, Dong C. Subsequent cancers after in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Arch Dermatol 2000;136:647-51.

Look for Danger Signs in Pigmented Lesions of the Skin
      Consult your dermatologist immediately if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit:

	One half unlike the other half
	Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
	Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue
	While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller
	A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color

How to perform a self exam:

	Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then right and left sides with arms raised
	Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms and palms
	Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes and on the sole
	Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look
	Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror

An educational program brought to you by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved.

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