Preventing skin cancer. (Cancer Awareness).

Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that can spread through the entire body. If found early, it can be cured. If found late, it could be fatal.

Melanoma can look like a mole, bump or growth on the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body. In men, melanoma is found most often on the chest, stomach or back, and in women it is found most often on the legs.

Melanoma can be prevented by:

* Avoiding the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun s rays are the strongest;

* Using sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (spf) of 15 or higher;

* Avoiding tanning booths or sun lamps they damage the skin just like real sunlight does;

* Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric and hats; and

* Checking the skin every month for signs of skin cancer. Individuals should speak with their family physician if they see an area on their skin mat looks unusual.

Clouds and water won t provide protection from the sun. Sixty to 80 percent of the suns rays can get through clouds and reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface. The sun's sunburns and suntans are signs that the skin has been damaged. This damage increases the risk of getting skin cancer. Sunburns in childhood are the most damaging. Children younger than 6 months of age should never be outside in direct sunshine and children & months or older should wear sunscreen every day. If the skin is protected from the sun, the risk is lowered.

Skin cancer is a threat, but its a threat everyone can do something about. Speak with a family physician to learn more about prevention and detection of skin cancer.

This article was pro vided by the American Academy of Family Physicians. it is the only medical specialty society devoted solely to primary care. To find out more about the AAFP, visit the Web site at www.aafp.org.