MURRAY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) – One in five people will get skin cancer in their lifetime. That number includes more than 800 Utahns who are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. The good news, according to cancer experts at Intermountain Health, is that skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early.
They say the best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from sun damage. With summer upon us, it’s especially important to be vigilant about sun protection. Vigilance is also vital when it comes to detecting skin cancer at its earlier and most treatable stage.
As many people have missed vital annual exams with their healthcare provider this past year due to the COVID pandemic, Intermountain Health cancer experts advise that you get an appointment scheduled to ensure that you don’t have skin cancer or unusual moles. “Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is often diagnosed in hard-to-see areas of the body. Your doctor can see what you can’t,” said Caroline Nebhan, a medical oncologist at Intermountain Health.
A sunburn is a clear sign that the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged by too much UV radiation. In fact, getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer. Sunburn doesn’t have to be raw, peeling or blistering.
If your skin becomes pink or red in the sun, it’s sunburnt. Parents are advised to pay more attention to protection from early-life sun ex.
