The ABCDEs of Melanoma

By Donna S. Barsky, D.Ph., R.Ph., Collin County LIVING WELL Magazine

Do you know your ABCDEs of Melanoma? This could protect you from a future of suffering or no future at all. Here’s what you are looking for:

A – Asymmetry – If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not match.

B – Border – The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched

C – Color – Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.

D – Diameter – Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.

E – Evolving – Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting points to danger.

Other Warning Signs:
• The appearance of a new bump or nodule
• Color spreads into surrounding skin
• Redness or swelling beyond the mole
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Itching
• Bleeding
• Oozing
• Scaly appearance

Skin cancer is growing at alarming rates; 2007 statistics from the American Cancer Society show:

One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point during their lifetime.
Five or more sunburns during your lifetime doubles your risk of developing skin cancer.
Sun protection is especially important in children because sunburns in early life can lead to skin cancer in adulthood.
80% of lifetime sun damage occurs in childhood.
Kids rarely allow proper sunscreen application when they play outdoors, ride bikes, go to recess or play on the playground.

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women ages 20-29. One person dies almost every hour (every 67 minutes) from this disease.
Both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can cause skin cancer. You can protect your skin and eyes in many different ways including using sunscreen, seeking the shade, hats, sunglasses and sun protective/ultraviolet light protective clothing.

What is SPF? SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” The rating is based on using 1 ounce of product per full body application. So if your bottle of sunscreen is 4 ounces that means you would use about ¼ of that bottle to get that rating each time you use it all over!

Are you using enough sunscreen? For a majority of us, the answer is no.

Currently, sunscreens are measured by their sun protection factor (SPF), which is only a measure of UVB protection. Make sure your sunscreen says it is broad-spectrum and also protects against harmful UVA rays.
Statistically, most people only use about 1/3 of the recommended amount of sunscreen. For example, if you were to apply an SPF 30 sunscreen to your skin, the actual volume of sunscreen that is typically used is only equal to an SPF 10.
So it is important to realize that with sunscreen, the number on the label is not necessarily the amount of protection you’re actually receiving. Using a higher number SPF sunscreen helps increase your chances of getting enough sun protection.
Remember that water, humidity, and sweating decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen and numerous reapplications are necessary.

What is sun protective/ultraviolet light clothing?

Normal summer clothing does not fully protect your skin from the sun. They rate less than SPF 8 when wet.
The clothing uses fabric to protect your skin from damaging UVA & UVB rays and can be worn instead of using sunscreen on those areas.
But don’t forget to wear sunscreen on the uncovered areas like the neck and ears.
The fabric is rated according to an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (“UPF”) similar to “SPF” for sunscreen.

What is the difference between UPF and SPF?

UPF is like SPF except UPF rates fabric protection against both UVA and UVB.
A garment with a UPF of 50 only allows 1/50th of the UV radiation falling on the surface of the garment to pass through it. In other words, it blocks 49/50ths or 98% of the UV radiation. Factors such as tighter knit or weave, thickness, and dark color can increase UPF.

What are the benefits of sun protective clothing?

Does not wash off
Does not need to be reapplied
Is long lasting – can be washed and dries quickly
Has no known skin reactions from UV-absorbing compounds in the fabrics
Is more reliable in protecting against sunburns
Is a “rash guard” against surfboard and body-board rashes
Saves money! The clothing actually reduces the need for expensive sunscreens and lotions and pays for itself quickly.

If you have any questions about your risk, how to find a physician or how to treat areas that have had pre-cancerous areas removed, please, contact us at TexasStar Pharmacy, 3033 W. Parker Rd., #100, Plano, TX., 75023, 972-519-8475, or 5425 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, #190, Plano, TX, 75024, 214-291-5087.