2016 SPOT Skin Cancer
Key Messages
· May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and May 2 is Melanoma Monday®, a day focused on raising awareness of the deadliest form of skin cancer
· Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
· The American Academy of Dermatology is asking the public to make sure their skin is “Looking Good in 2016” by protecting it from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and checking it for the signs of skin cancer.
o Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds is the most preventable skin cancer risk factor.
o Unlike other cancers, most skin cancers can be seen on the surface of the skin.
· The AAD wants to know “Why are YOU making sure your skin is “looking good in 2016?” You can share your answer and a photo at SpotSkinCancer.org. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #LookingGoodin2016.
· Skin cancer can strike anyone at any time, but men older than 50 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
o A 2016 AAD survey indicates that men need to brush up on their skin cancer knowledge.
§ Only 56 percent of men know that there’s no such thing as a healthy tan, compared to 76 percent of women.
§ Just 54 percent of men know that getting a base tan is not a healthy way to protect your skin from the sun, compared to 70 percent of women.
§ Only 56 percent of men know that skin cancer can occur on areas of the skin not typically exposed to the sun, compared to 65 percent of women.
· To encourage men to regularly check their skin for the signs of skin cancer, the AAD has produced a new PSA entitled “Looking Good.” The PSA shows a man dancing and posing comically in a bathroom mirror. As he admires himself, a female voiceover encourages the man to look more closely at his skin, regularly check it for the signs of skin cancer, and find a partner to help.
· To protect your skin, seek shade, wear protective clothing, and generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
· It is estimated that more than 8,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and one person dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every hour.
o When spotted early, skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable.
o The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.
· You can identify the warning signs of melanoma by looking for the following:
o A is for Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other.
o B is for Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
o C is for Color that varies from one area to another.
o D is for Diameter: Melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
o E is for Evolving: Look for a mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
· Perform regular skin self-exams to check for the signs of skin cancer. If you notice any spots that are different from the others, or anything changing, itching or bleeding on your skin, see a board-certified dermatologist.
· To learn more about skin cancer detection and prevention, or to find a free SPOTme® skin cancer screening or a board-certified dermatologist, visit SpotSkinCancer.org.
Additional Resources
· “Is Your Skin Looking Good?” Infographic - how to check your skin for the signs of skin cancer and why early detection is so important
· “Looking Good” campaign website
o “Looking Good” PSA – targeted toward men over 50 with a skin cancer detection message
· Find a free SPOTme® skin cancer screening – search by state
· Media Relations Toolkit – find customizable outreach templates and other ideas for helping to raise skin cancer awareness and participate in the “Looking Good” campaign
· Find the AAD on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube