Men and Melanoma

For the most part, it’s pretty safe to say the majority of people know the importance of wearing sunscreen before and during sun exposure, right? Well, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, men – 40 percent of men who took the time to fill out the survey that is – often skip this crucial step, especially when it comes to the back area.

The back area is the most common area for melanoma cancer to develop due to the inconvenience of not being able to apply the sunscreen to their backs themselves. Also, because of this, it’s more difficult to check the back area for suspicious-looking moles.

When it comes to melanoma cancer (the deadliest form of skin cancer) or any type of cancer for that matter, early detection is crucial. “Men over 50 are more than twice as likely as women to develop and die from skin cancer … men aren’t naturally more vulnerable to skin cancer than women. The problem is twofold: more sun exposure, and fewer visits to the doctor,” according to www.skincancer.org.

So, what can you do? To help prevent skin cancer or sun damage, follow these simple yet very important tips:

• Always apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas of the skin at least 15 minutes before stepping foot outside, and be sure to do this all year round! Lastly, reapply every two hours.
• For those hard-to-reach areas, including the back, grab a close friend or family member and ask them to apply it for you. Better yet, a lot of sunscreens come in the form of a spray so you can avoid those awkward backrubs.
• If you can, avoid being outdoors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Why? That’s when the UV rays are the strongest.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Examine your skin thoroughly every month.
• Wear protective clothing, including UV-blocking sunglasses and sun hats.
• Planning on being outside all day? Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a SPF of 30 or higher.

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