Skin Cancer Information

Warning Signs

• Changes in color especially dark shades of brown
• Sudden changes in size and fast growth
• Raised area above surrounding skin
• Itching or pain
• Redness, swelling, pigmentation
• Scaliness, crusting, bleeding

Risk Factors

• How close you live to the equator
• Ultraviolet rays
• Fair skin
• Red or blonde hair
• Blue, green, or gray eyes
• Family history of skin cancers
• Workplace exposure to cancer causing substances
• Age
• Race! Caution - dark skinned people do develop cancer on light areas of skin

How To Prevent Skin Cancer

• DON'T expose your skin to sun between 10am-3pm
• DON'T expose your skin while using Retin A or other peel products
• DON'T use tanning booths
• DON'T be foolrd by cloudy days
• DON'T use reflectors to increase tan
• DON'T tan for more than twenty minutes a day
• DO protect your eyes and lips
• DO use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher