Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you know about skin cancer?
Try taking the following true-or-false quiz. You may be surprised
at how much you know!
1. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the number one
cancer in America.
True! The incidence of skin cancer continues to increase in America,
and it is the number one cancer. However, most cancers are slow
growing and treatable.
2. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer.
True! The first thing you can do to prevent skin cancer is to stay
out of the sun. However, this can be difficult to do. If you can't
stay out of the sun, wear long sleeves, and a hat with a brim. Use
sunscreen on the parts of your body that will be exposed to the
sun. You need a sunscreen at least SPF 15. Use hypoallergenic sunscreens
on children, and keep infants less than six months out of the sun
totally.
3. A severe sunburn before age 20 does not
change your risk of skin cancer.
False! A severe sunburn that result in peeling, increases your risk
of skin cancer as you age. Try to avoid sunburn, especially as a
child or adolescent.
4. People in Arizona have the same risk for
skin cancer as people in New York.
False! People who live in Arizona have one of the highest rates
of skin cancer in the United States. This is due to many more sunny
days, and prolonged sun exposure. If you live in a sunny climate,
make sure you use sunscreen every day. Teach your family to use
sunscreen every day too.
5. Tanning booths are healthy.
False! Most tanning booths still have some ultraviolet ray exposure
- this is what causes skin cancer. Check with your healthcare provider
before using a tanning booth.
6. You can help in early detection of melanoma skin cancer.
True! Look for changes in your moles, or new moles appearing. Anything
that looks irregular, has different color in it, or is growing or
bleeding, needs to be seen immediately by a healthcare provider.
Sun Avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer.
The principal cause of skin cancer is almost universally accepted
by medical experts to be overexposure to sunlight, especially when
it results in sunburn and blistering. Other less important factors
would include: repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure; scarring
from diseases or burns; occupational exposure to such compounds
as coal and arsenic, and family history.
Prevention is a matter of guarding the skin against the known causes.
Since the sun and its ultraviolet rays would seem to be the main
culprit, the most effective preventive method is sun avoidance.
Limit the exposure of the skin to harmful rays by covering up and
using sunscreens with at least 15 SPF rating. CANCER
INFORMATION
The American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer AnswerLine is available
Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, at (800) ACS 2345. The
ACS AnswerLine can answer questions about cancer and cancer-related
services in your community. They offer free publications about
cancer, as well. Your local ACS has many free services. Their
local offices are listed in the white pages of your telephone
book.
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service
at
(800) 4-CANCER can answer questions about cancer. The NCI can
also send you booklets. You can also write to the NCI at this
address: National Cancer Institute, Office of Cancer Communications,
31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580.
Your health care plan, local hospital or regional cancer center
are other sources for cancer information.
Cancer Support groups: The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
provides information and resources on support and life after a
cancer diagnosis. Call (301) 650-8868 or write to National Coalition
for Cancer Survivorship, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 300, Silver
Springs, MD 20910.
Your health care plan may cover individual and family counseling.
If not, speak to the health care plan social worker about mental
health resources in your community.
Many hospitals consider some form of group counseling a necessary
part of cancer treatment. These groups are run by professionals.
They help those faced with cancer explore their feelings. Some
groups meet only during hospitalization, while others are long-term.
Some groups are just for patients, while others include spouses,
family members, and other special people. These groups also provide
an opportunity to exchange treatment tips and hints, as well as
give support and information to help patients, families and friends
gain some control over their lives.
Faith is a source of strength for many people. Members of the
clergy can provide comfort and solace. Some are trained to minister
to those coping with life-threatening illnesses. Contact the faith
community of your choice. The chaplain of your local hospital
will be able to guide you to clergy who are experienced in supporting
those after a cancer diagnosis.
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