Melanoma Monday

Abstract

Welcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. May 2, is Melanoma Monday, an annual event to promote the prevention and detection of melanoma. Last year, more than 100,000 Americans were diagnosed with melanoma. About 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma, with nearly 9,000 in 2010. But melanoma is very curable, if detected early, dermatologists say. So, what are the risk factors? We asked DeAnn Lazovich, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota. <DeAnn: “The risk factors for melanoma can be divided into two groups: Those that are non-modifiable – the ones that you inherit. The modifiable risk factors all have to do with exposure to ultra-violet radiation – either from the sun or from artificial devices, like indoor tanning.”>So, how can you lower your risk? <DeAnn: “The recommendations to prevent skin cancer include avoiding the sun as much as possible and especially during the peak hours of 10 to 4, to be sure to wear clothing that covers the arms and the legs, or hats that are wide brimmed and also to include sunglasses with that. Another recommendation is to use sunscreen that has at least an SPF – a sun protection factor – of 15 or greater. And then, lastly, to avoid the use of indoor tanning.”