Why skin cancer awareness month is important

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Each year, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer compared to all other cancers combined. And melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is on the rise. That's why it's so important to raise awareness about skin cancer during skin cancer awareness month (and all year long, for that matter). By increasing awareness, we can help more people understand the importance of early detection and prevention.

What can you do to raise awareness about skin cancer?

There are lots of things you can do to raise awareness about skin cancer during skin cancer awareness month (and all year long). Here are a few ideas:

• Share information about skin cancer on social media. We all spend a lot of time on social media, and it's easier than ever to share infographics, webpages, and video links with the ones we love. By sharing information about skin cancer on social media, you can let your friends and family know tips and recommendations to catch cancer early.
• Talk to your friends and family about skin cancer. Sharing information on social media is a great way to open up the conversation about skin cancer and the factors that make a patient a higher risk of developing it.
• Wear sunscreen every day (even in the winter). Your skin needs to be protected by the sun's UVA and UVB rays which can significantly increase one's risk of skin cancer. Protecting the skin year-round should be of utmost importance!
• Get a skin check from a dermatologist. It is recommended that everyone visit their dermatologist at least once a year for an annual skin cancer screening and make an appointment at any time a new growth or change happens on the skin that might be indicative of skin cancer.

There are many other ways you can raise awareness about skin cancer. The most important aspect is to get involved and make sure that everyone knows how critical it is to prevent and detect skin cancer early.