Father's World | National Men's Health Week

National Men's Health Week Quiz

Warning signs

Fortunately all forms of skin cancer have visible, early warnings

A sore on the skin that does not heal.
A change in the size or color of a mole.
Development of any unusual pigmented area.

Prevention
Here are nine ways you can increase protection and reduce risk of exposure.

Use a sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm
Protect children from excess sun exposure.
You aren't fully protected in the shade. Ultraviolet rays are only partially deflected, and rays bounce from all directions - sand, water and even patio floors.
Don't count on being safe on a cloudy day or even under water. 70 - 80% of the ultraviolet rays' burning power penetrates clouds, and rays can even reach you below the surface of the water.
Avoid sun reflectors. Sunlamps have the same risk factor as sun exposure.
Request skin exams as part of your cancer-related checkups and practice regular skin self-exams.

Information obtained from the website of the American Cancer Society at www.ca.cancer.org

Self Test
Burning Questions
Are you predisposed to Skin Cancer?

Here's a quiz from the American Academy of Dermatology to help you assess your potential skin-cancer risk.

What is your hair color?
a.blond/red
b.brown
c.black

What is your eye color?
a.blue/green
b.hazel
c.brown

After one hour of exposure to the sun, you:
a.burn, maybe blister
b.burn, then tan
c.tan

Do you have Freckles?
a.many
b.some
c.none

Your job is:
a.outdoors
b.mixed
c.indoors

You have a family member who has had skin cancer:
a.yes
b.no

Before age 18, you lived in the U.S. in the:
a.South
b.Midwest
c.North

Total

If your score is:
10-15 points = below average risk
16-22 points = average risk
23-25 points = high risk
26-30 points = very high risk

Cancer of the skin (including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer) is the most common of all
cancers, making up just less than 1/2 of all cancers. Over 900,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in this country each year. Non-melanoma skin cancers tend to grow slowly and rarely spread. Over 95% can be cured, and when diagnosed at an early stage, nearly 100% are cured. The American Cancer Society predicted that there would be 2,190 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer in 1997. The following are some risk factors associated with skin cancer:

Risk Factors
-Excessive exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation:

People who are often exposed to strong sunlight without protection have a greater risk of skin cancer. Spending a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation without protection from clothing or sunscreen increases your risk. People who live in areas with year-round bright sunlight have a higher risk.

Fair skin:
The risk factor is over twenty times higher for whites than for African Americans. This is due to the protective effect of skin pigment. Whites with fair skin that freckles or burns easily are especially at high risk.

Severe sunburn:
Adults who have had severe sunburn as a child or adolescent are more likely to develop melanoma.

Medications:
Some medications can increase your susceptibility to sunburn, consult your physician, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking such medications

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