Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and the numbers are growing.
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, and about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation. More than 5 million people seek medical treatment for skin cancer each year, adding about $8 billion to the nation’s healthcare costs.
Past sunburns, routine exposure to UV rays, and intentional tanning behaviors are fueling the spike in cases, according to health experts like Dr. Jennifer Chambers, chief medical officer at Capital Blue Cross.
“There are generations of folks who didn’t use sunscreen as children or adolescents,” she said. “Years ago, it was not unusual for kids to get one or more sunburns every summer. The impact of blistering sunburns as a young person may not turn up until much later in life.”
In fact, a person’s risk for melanoma increases by 80% if they have had five or more blistering sunburns during adolescence, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Because about half of all melanomas are found through self-exams, the AAD advises keeping an eye on your skin and following the “ABCDE rule” to spot these warning signs:
- Asymmetry – One-half of a skin mole does not match the other half.
- Border irregularity – The edges of a mole are ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color – Moles have an irregular pigmentation or mottled appearance.
- Diameter – Melanomas usually measure 6 millimeters across.
- Evolving – A mole looks different from others or is changing in size, shape, or color over time.
If you do find irregularities, Chambers suggests consulting with a board-certified dermatologist.
Dermatologists, like many healthcare specialists, can be in high demand and in short supply. Capital Blue Cross is helping to meet that demand by supporting innovative telehealth services through the Smart Health Innovation Lab. The lab recently announced it working with a select group of Capital Blue Cross members on a pilot program for a teledermatology app.
The app allows patients to scan and securely map their skin using a smartphone or tablet, collecting data for dermatologists to remotely diagnose skin conditions and recommend appropriate treatments or follow-up appointments. The app also creates a historical record of patient cases in order to personalize care and measure changes.
Even if you’ve had dangerous sun exposure in the past, health experts say there are ways to help minimize additional risk, including:
- Using tents or shelters at outdoor events or worksites.
- Creating work schedules or rotating outdoor work to minimize sun exposure.
- Including sun safety information in corporate wellness programs.
- Wearing protective clothing and sunglasses with UV protection.
- Adequately applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
- Selecting clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
“Time outdoors can be beneficial for our bodies and our minds, but it’s not always good for our skin,” Dr. Chambers said. “Fortunately, there are relatively simple, but effective, ways to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful UV rays.”
(For more health and wellness news and information that can benefit your business and employees, visit thinkcapitalbluecross.com.)
