May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, yet it’s also the most preventable and treatable. One in five Americans will develop this type of cancer over their lifetime, and a staggering 9,500 people are diagnosed every day. Many of these cases are melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Melanoma by the Numbers
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 170,000 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in 2018 alone and over 9,000 people will die in the U.S. from this very curable cancer. Approximately 95 percent of melanoma cases are from exposure to UV light, which shows just how easy it can be to take preventative measures. Individuals with fair skin are significantly more likely to develop melanoma, but anyone can be affected, regardless of skin color. The average age of diagnosis is 63, and while women under the age of 50 see a higher rate than men, men after the age of 65 develop it at twice the clip. However, this malignant skin cancer is becoming more common among younger people too—especially young women, as melanoma is the second most common cancer in females aged 15-29.
Share Your Story and Spread Awareness
Everybody thinks that cancer is something that won’t happen to them, even though they hear the stats and give themselves a cursory look in the mirror every so often. That’s why it’s so important to spread the word and talk about your experience with skin cancer. Whether you’re a patient, survivor, or a loved one of someone who is, sharing a personal connection with the people in your life can be a very powerful tool in raising awareness and preventing as many cases as possible. However, skin cancer isn’t something that you should only focus on once a year. Cancer can come at anytime to anybody, so being open with your experience can have a positive effect on those you care about and maybe even save someone’s life.
Skin Cancer Awareness Month at Renaissance Plastic Surgery
Of course, you can always count on the dedicated team at R Medical Spa at Renaissance Plastic Surgery to help you with any questions or concerns you may have about your skin. Please give us a call at 636.896.0600 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation today.
In our next blog, we’ll take a closer look at how to prevent and screen for Melanoma.
