Skip to content
⛰️ FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $100 OR MORE ⛰️ Toll Free: 1-888-687-4334
⛰️ FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $100 OR MORE ⛰️ Toll Free: 1-888-687-4334
UV Safety Awareness Month: Learning the ABCDEs of Melanoma

UV Safety Awareness Month: Learning the ABCDEs of Melanoma

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and with summer on the way it's important to maintain good sun safety and an awareness of the risks of excessive sun exposure. Without a proper sunscreen, the sun's harmful rays that can cause sunburns that can quickly lead to skin cancer or melanoma.

Sunscreen on Sale at Mountainside Medical Equipment

 

Though melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer within the United States, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Approximately 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85% of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By raising awareness of the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging sun-safe habits, behaviors can be changed and lives can be saved.

It's imperative to talk about melanoma prevention, as well as how to properly detect it. The guideline "ABCDE" is extremely useful for identifying malignant melanoma:

Types of Melanoma

  • Asymmetry: Where one side of the lesion or mole does not look like the other. If the lesion or mole is divided into half, and the halves are not equal or identical, then it is asymmetrical. 
  • Border Irregularity: Where the margins around the mole or lesion may be notched or irregular. 
  • Color: Melanomas are often a mixture of black, brown, blue, red, or white. 
  • Diameter: Cancerous lesions can be larger than 6mm across, typically the size of a pencil eraser. With early detection, they won't reach this size. 
  • Evolution: Has the mole or lesion changed in color, size, or shape over time?

Many people, especially those who have fair coloring or have had extensive sun exposure, periodically should check their bodies for suspicious moles and lesions. Have your primary health care doctor, or a dermatologist check any moles or spots that concern you. See your doctor if you notice any changes in the size, shape, color, or texture of pigmented areas. 

The Best Sun Safety Products are Available at Mountainside Medical Equipment 

The Best Sun Safety Products are Available at Mountainside Medical Equipment

Do you still have what you need to be safe in the sun? It's the perfect time to stock up on what you need to stay safe outdoors. Click here to visit our Sunscreen product collection!

Please consult a qualified health care professional before beginning any medication, taking any supplements, or beginning a new health regimen.

Previous article Winter Driving Safety: 11 Cold Weather Driving Tips to Get Home Safely

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields