Stay Skin Healthy

Meet Dr. Patty Lucey

Specialty care physician board-certified in dermatology, Stay Skin Healthy advisor

"I love dermatology because I get to treat what I think is the most import organ of the body... the skin."

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Facts

Did You Know...

The truth about your skin and how to protect it.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70

Men are more likely to get skin cancer, including melanoma

Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk of melanoma

Anyone can get skin cancer regardless of their skin tone

People with darker skin are more vulnerable to melanoma where sun exposure isn’t as common, such as the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and under the nails

Tanning beds are NOT safer than the sun

Without sunscreen, the sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 min

You can get sunburned even on a cloudy day—80% of the sun’s rays can pass through clouds

Bob Marley died at age 36 from a rare form of melanoma skin cancer that originated under his toenail

The sun can fade and damage your tattoos. Tattooed skin does not protect against skin cancer

Top Tips

Wear a broad spectrum SPF 30 (minimum) sunscreen and lip balm daily, even when it's not sunny out
Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or more often if you are swimming or sweating
Wear sunscreen over your tattoos and any skin exposed to the sun (This can also preserve the color and shape of your tats)
Have your health care provider examine your skin every year or visit a dermatologist
Check your skin every month, and talk with your health care provider about any changes
Look for changes in your moles
Completely avoid tanning beds
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and face from UV rays

The Future's So Bright

Types of Skin Cancer

Most Common

Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers

Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer. Both types start on the top layer of your skin and are generally caused by sun exposure.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer responsible for 8 in 10 skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma tends to develop on the face, head and neck. If not treated and removed, basal cells can grow deeper into the skin and possibly the bones. Approximately 4.3 million cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 2 in 10 skin cancers. These cancers commonly appear on the face, ears, lips, neck and back of the hands. If not treated and removed completely, squamous cells can also grow deeper into the skin and are more likely to spread to other parts of the body than basal cells. Approximately 1 million cases of squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

Most Deadly Type of Skin Cancer

Melanoma

While melanoma is not the most common skin cancer, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma develops when the cells that give skin the tan or brown color begin to grow abnormally out of control. Melanoma is caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to UV rays from the sun and tanning beds, but genetic and environmental factors can play a role as well.

Approximately 100,350 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Around 60% of those are in men. Anyone can get melanoma, however, if detected early, cure and survival rates dramatically improve. The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot on the skin or one that is changing in size, color or shape. This is why it is so important to do a monthly self skin exam and to have your health care provider examine your skin once a year. The following ABCDEs of skin cancer provide a good guideline. Any abnormalities should be reported to your health care provider immediately.

ABCDEs of Skin Cancer

It’s important to check your skin for suspicious moles once a month and report anything unusual to your health care provider. Remember the ABCDE rule: