LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — As summer activities ramp up, medical professionals are encouraging people to take precautions in the sun to help prevent long-term skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Health experts say conditions such as sunburn and blistering can increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life. For those who spend significant time outdoors, doctors recommend monitoring the skin for any unusual spots or changes.
Medical professionals at Lima Memorial Health System recommend performing a yearly skin check for any new moles or lesions. They also advise using the ABCDE guide to identify warning signs that may require evaluation by a doctor or dermatologist.
“A is asymmetry. Anything that if you divide it in half, the two halves don't look like each other, that's going to be something you want to get checked out. B is seeing for borders, anything that's irregular is something that we want to look at further. C stands for color, anything that has more than one color or the color has changed is something that should be evaluated further. D is diameter. Anything greater than 6 mm should be looked at. That's about the size of a standard pencil eraser and then E is evolving. So, it's anything that's changing or is not how it used to be, we want to look at that," says Anna Etzler, CPN, Lima Memorial Health System.
Experts also stress the importance of using sunscreen to help prevent skin damage that could lead to cancer. When selecting a sunscreen, Etzler recommends paying attention to the labeling on the product.
“You want to look for something that's more dermatologist-approved. So, they test a lot of different sunscreens. If it has a dermatologist approval on it, it's probably going to be something that's better for patients with sensitive skin, without unnecessary fragrances or additives,” adds Etzler.
Etzler said there are many sunscreen options available, including creams, sprays and powders, and recommends choosing the product that works best for each individual.
