05/21/2025
MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
By: Prem Arora R.Ph. (Wi******er Heritage Pharmacy (I.D.A.)
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As summer approaches, it is important that the local community be reminded of the basics of sun safety
Skin cancer is cancer that starts as a growth of cells on the skin. The cells can invade and destroy healthy body cells. Sometimes the cells break away and spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada, and cases are increasing. Early prevention is the key.
Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to light from the sun. The light that comes from the sun is a kind of ultraviolet light. That kind of light can also come from tanning beds and tanning lamps. Ultraviolet light contains radiation that changes the DNA inside skin cells and leads to skin cancer.
Signs and symptoms
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A new growth on the skin that might look like a mole, a bump or a scab.
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A rough patch on the skin.
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A sore on the skin that won't heal.
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Changes to a mole or freckle, such as getting bigger or changing color.
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Itchy skin around a skin growth.
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Pain around a skin growth.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of skin cancer include:
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Skin that sunburns easily. Anyone of any skin color can get skin cancer. But the risk is higher in people with skin that sunburns easily. The risk of skin cancer also is higher in people who have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes or freckles.
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Light from tanning beds. People who use indoor tanning beds have an increased risk of skin cancer. The lights used in tanning beds give off harmful ultraviolet light.
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A history of sunburns. Having had one or more sunburns that raised blisters increases the risk of developing skin cancer. If the sunburns happened during childhood, they increase the risk of getting skin cancer as an adult even more.
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A history of skin cancer. People who've had skin cancer once are much more likely to get it again.
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A family history of skin cancer. If a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, had skin cancer, you may be more likely to get skin cancer.
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A weakened immune system. If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by medicine or disease, there might be a higher risk of skin cancer. People with weakened immune systems include those taking medicine to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Some health conditions also can weaken the immune system.
Prevention
Most skin cancers can be prevented by protecting yourself from the sun. To lower the risk of skin cancer you can:
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Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day. For much of Canada, the sun's rays are strongest between about 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Plan outdoor activities at other times of the day. When outside, stay in shade as much as possible.
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Wear sunscreen year-round. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Apply again every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
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Wear protective clothing. Wear dark, tightly woven clothes that cover your arms and legs. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face and ears. Don't forget sunglasses.
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Don't use tanning beds. The lights in tanning beds give off ultraviolet light. Using tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer.
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Check your skin often and report changes to your healthcare provider. Look at your skin often for new growths or changes in moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks.
Youth are at a formative stage where habits can last a lifetime. If sun safety is practiced early, it significantly reduces the cumulative UV exposure that leads to skin cancer later in life. Youth are often active outdoors during peak UV times - at summer camps, playing sports, at summer jobs, or just hanging out. This increases the risk of sunburns, which are a major risk factor for skin cancer. It's much easier and more cost-effective to prevent skin damage than to treat it.
Save your skin!
At Wi******er Heritage Pharmacy (I.D.A.), we are committed to fill and compound your Prescriptions accurately and promptly, provide the most appropriate medication and health advise, do vaccinations, and meet your day-to-day pharmacy needs in a professional and efficient manner.
