Skin Cancer Awareness Month calls attention to importance of annual skin checks
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凯拉·梅斯特
703-836-1746
kyra.meister@preventcancer.org
Alexandria, Va. – May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but according to a recent survey from the 预防癌症基金会, 70% of Americans 21 years of age and older have not had a skin check in the past year. Survey participants’ most cited reasons for not being checked were not experiencing symptoms (29%), not knowing they need to be checked (26%) and inability to afford the cost (23%).
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This news comes from a recent report from the Prevent Cancer Foundation that 65% of Americans 21 years of age and older say they are not up to date with one or more routine cancer screenings.1 This and other findings from the Foundation’s first annual Early Detection Survey emphasize the need for increased awareness and access to routine screenings for cancer prevention and early detection. Early detection of cancer can mean less extensive treatment, more treatment options and better chances of survival, leading to better outcomes.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in the U.S. and is also one of the most preventable cancers. Although a quarter of participants said they had a skin check for skin cancer between one and three years ago, nearly that same amount (24%) say they’ve never had a skin check for skin cancer.2
Advances in skin cancer screening and treatment have reduced the skin cancer mortality rate, but significant disparities in health outcomes persist. Anyone, regardless of skin color, may develop skin cancer. Skin cancers are less prevalent in non-white racial-ethnic groups, but when they occur, they tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and, as a result, have a worse prognosis.3 Skin cancer is less likely to be suspected in patients of color because it occurs less frequently, so these patients may be less likely to get regular full-body skin exams.4
According to survey results, Americans who said they were not up to date or did not know if they were up to date on their skin cancer check would be more likely to prioritize their screening if there was an at-home test option (28%). Currently, there is no at-home test option for skin cancer, but you should examine your skin monthly to look for possible signs of melanoma in addition to getting your skin checked annually by a health care provider. The Prevent Cancer Foundation recommends using the ABCDEs of skin cancer as a helpful tool when checking your skin for suspicious moles:
- 不对称
- 边界不规则
- Color that is not uniform
- Diameter greater than 6mm
- Evolving size, shape or color
Any changes in size, shape or elevation of a mole, or any new symptoms such as bleeding, itching or crusting, should be reported to a health care provider.
“When it comes to cancer, early detection equals better outcomes,” said Heather Mackey, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCN, Senior Director of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection at the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “It’s important for everyone to check their health with the routine cancer screenings they need at every age. Monthly self-exams and annual skin checks are quick and easy preventive measures we can all prioritize—not just during the summer months but year-round.”
Information and resources on all cancer types studied in the 2023 Early Detection survey—including information on relevant screenings—can be found at www.preventcancer.org/betteroutcomes. For more information about skin cancer and ways to reduce your risk, visit www.preventcancer.org/skin.
1本次调查研究的癌症筛查包括乳腺癌、宫颈癌、结直肠癌、口腔癌、肺癌、前列腺癌、皮肤癌和睾丸癌。
2While the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not include screening for skin cancer in their recommendations, the Prevent Cancer Foundation encourages individuals to perform monthly skin checks and ask their health care provider for a complete body skin exam every year as part of their routine physical.
3Bradford P. T. (2009). Skin cancer in skin of color. Dermatology nursing, 21(4), 170–178
4www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454668/
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关于预防癌症基金会®
预防癌症基金会® 是 唯一的美国-基于 非盈利机构 独自 投入的 到 癌症 预防和早期 检测. 通过研究、教育、 外展 和倡导, 我们已经帮助无数人避免癌症诊断或及早发现癌症并得到成功治疗。 我们受到 一个可以预防癌症的世界的愿景， 可检测 并且可击败 对全部.
基金会正努力应对到 2035 年减少 40% 癌症死亡人数的挑战。为了实现这一目标， 我们是 承诺投资 $2000 万美元用于创新技术，以尽早发现癌症并推进 多-癌症筛查，$1000万美元用于扩大癌症筛查和疫苗接种覆盖面 医学上 服务不足的社区，并投入 $10 万美元用于教育公众了解筛查和疫苗接种选择。
如需了解更多信息，请访问 www.preventcancer.org.