May Is Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Don’t Forget Your Lips

May is skin cancer awareness month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. When going out in the Sun, don’t forget your lips are just as susceptible to damage from the Sun’s UV rays.

For our patients recommend choosing a lip balm with beeswax or paraffin to help seal in moisture and stay on your lips longer.

 

As always in our office, when you come in for your dental cleaning you will receive a free tube of our very own SPF-15 lip balm from our hygienist.

To schedule a new patient appointment with Dr. Grant E. Marcum, in Paso Robles, CA  please call (805)238-1033.

For more information about Dr. Marcum and the services we provide please visit our Web Site: www.GEMsmiles.com

 

 

 

The CDC has the following information regarding Skin Cancer:

Sun Safety Tips

Check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s UV Index before you spend time outdoors and plan your sun protection accordingly, using these tips—

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Use sunscreen with broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection and sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
• Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

Fast Facts About Skin Cancer

• When you’re having fun outdoors, it’s easy to forget how important it is to protect yourself from the sun.(http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm) Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take as long as 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure.
• Even if it’s cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage.
• Tanned skin is damaged skin.(http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/burningtruth/tanned_skin_not_healthy_skin.htm) Any change in the color of your skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.
• Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk.(http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/risk_factors.htm)
• Indoor tanning(http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm) exposes users to both UVA and UVB rays, which damage the skin and can lead to cancer.
• A change in your skin is the most common symptom(http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/symptoms.htm) of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole.