Newswise — CHICAGO – Skin cancer is by far the most commonly diagnosed cancer, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 Americans in their lifetime , but it is also one of the most preventable types of cancer. “The vast majority of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure throughout our lives,” said Jeffrey M. Farma, MD, FACS , a surgical oncologist and American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) State Chair of Pennsylvania.
“When it comes to skin cancer, prevention is key. My goal is to ensure patients can enjoy their lives, including time in the sun, while being mindful that even a small skin lesion can quickly escalate into a very serious issue.” According to Dr.
Farma, who chairs the department of surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is surgical director of their Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program, it’s important to remember that anyone can get skin cancer, even if you don’t burn easily, and the disease is commonly diagnosed in both older and younger populations. In fact, in adults 55 and older, rates of melanoma have increased by about 7% every year since 2011, and skin cancer rates have remained steady each year in younger people, according to the National Cancer Database, a clinical oncology database jointly run by the CoC and American Cancer Society.* While highly preventable, melanoma is one of the deadliest of all skin cancers .
“We have seen young patients in their 20s who tan a lot and use tanning salons and are unf.
