The temperatures are getting warmer, the days longer and school is almost out for the summer. Do you know what that means? It is pool season! It is time to kick back, relax and enjoy some fun in the sun this summer. Along with your towel, swimwear and sunglasses, make certain you have the correct sunscreen for swimming. Waterproof sunblock is an essential part of swimming, especially in the heat and sun exposure here in Phoenix. Not all sunscreens are alike. Just because a sunscreen has a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating does not mean that it is meant to be exposed to water. You need to choose the correct sunscreen for the activity and to make sure you protect your skin! [Read more…]
Skin Cancer Symptoms: Tips For Early Detection And Treatment
Knowing how to recognize skin cancer symptoms early on is an incredibly useful skill to have when living in Arizona. While there are many benefits to residing in the Valley of the Sun, being exposed to constant UV rays can easily cause cancer to form in your skin. The key to catching signs of skin cancer depend upon many factors. No matter your age, a yearly doctor visit proves it’s crucial to pay attention to bodily changes such as a mole or freckle formations, discoloration, itchiness, or irritation. If you’re unfamiliar with different types of skin cancer and how to identify them, here are common indications and misconceptions about skin cancer symptoms: [Read more…]
Red, White, and Burned: Sunburn Prevention and Treatment Tips
The lake is beckoning, but you don’t want to get sunburned. Or, maybe you’ve already soaked in the rays to find a pink hue kissing your skin. These sunburn prevention tips will help you prevent and treat sunburns. The best way to prevent sunburn damage is by thinking smart. Using the right sunscreen, covering up with UV protective clothing, and choosing the right time to be out in the sun. [Read more…]
Sunscreen SPF: The Magic Number
When triple-digits set in, there’s nothing like an ice cold beverage and a dip in the clear, blue water to cool you down. While you’re headed to your watery haven, don’t forget sunscreen as an essential part of your summer experience. For many of us the never ending sunscreen choices can be tricky, but with 1 in 5 Americans getting skin cancer, proper SPF choice is an important one. [Read more…]
Skin Cancer Stages
Skin cancer stages are part of a vital system that is used to determine prognosis, survival, and treatment plans. Multiple variables factor into stage determination, and usually varies among cancer types. The most commonly used classification system is the TNM system, which looks at particular tumor characteristics and grades them X,0,1,2,3, or 4 with the larger numbers indicating increasing category severity. T stands for tumor and includes things like the tumor’s location, size, and depth. N stands for node, and describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, locally or farther away. M is for metastasis, which is the spreading of cancer to distant parts of the body. With the values for T, N and M determined, those are combined and an overall stage grouping is assigned.
Cancerous Moles: What to Look For
Cancer. No word can strike fear the hearts of many like the word Cancer. It’s spoken with a sort of reverence and fear all at the same time. There are so many types of cancer that it’s almost impossible to list them all: melanoma, squamous cell, carcinoma, basal cell, the list goes on. Since early detection and treatment is the most effective way to cure melanoma and other forms of skin cancer, we are going to talk about how to recognize and treat cancerous moles.
Skin Cancer Awareness Month (Video)
Arrowhead Health Centers’ skin cancer specialist, Dr. Robert West, stopped by 12 News to discuss the dangers of prolonged sun exposure. Dr West also gives helpful tips on the best ways to protect yourself from sun exposure. [Read more…]
4 Possible Skin Cancer Signs You Should Not Ignore
Skin cancer signs vary widely in severity and type according to cancer type. Catching these signs as a part of early cancer detection can save your life. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to damaging UV rays from the sun. People who live in places that allow for high exposure are at increased risk. Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the US, with over 300 days of blue skies and sunshine each year. Those who live at higher elevations are also at risk because UV rays are more powerful at higher altitudes. Arizona’s average elevation is 4,100 feet which is in excess of the 2,500 ft average for the United States as a whole. Flagstaff, Arizona sits at 6,909 feet, and the highest point in all of Arizona is over 12,000 feet. At areas of lower elevation, Arizona is primarily desert with very warm winters and little shade to protect its denizens from the sun. Factors such as these are a big reason why skin cancer is such high risk for Arizona residents. Seeing the signs early is paramount to cancer survival.