Skin Cancer Prevention
Reducing Skin Cancer Risks
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 3.5 million nonmelanoma skin cancers in over 2 million individuals are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. By 2015, it is projected that one in 50 Americans will develop melanoma during the course of a lifetime.
At our Laguna Beach dermatology office, Dr. Glenn Goldberg offers unparalleled surgical procedures to address skin cancers, such as the Mohs surgery. However, at Coast Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center, we encourage preventative methods to avoid the need for skin cancer surgery.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays reflect off of surfaces including water, cement, sand, and snow. As a result, it is crucial to protect yourself from UV radiation throughout every season, not just the summer. Typically, the hours of 10am and 4pm yield the greatest UV exposure outdoors in the continental United States.
Some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for UV radiation protection include:
- Wear clothing that covers your whole body, including arms and legs
- Wear a hat to shield the face, head, ears, and neck
- Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater. In addition, make sure your sunscreen offers both UVA and UVB protection
- Avoid indoor tanning as it exposes users to greater UV radiation
- Remain in the shade, especially during peak UV exposure hours
During a consultation with Dr. Glenn Goldberg at our Laguna Beach office, you can learn about more ways to protect yourself from UV radiation.
Dr. Goldberg and his team will educate you on self-examination of the skin and clinical signs of skin cancer. Self-examination is your first line of defense.
In addition, Dr. Goldberg will discuss additional early intervention methods to address photo damaged skin and precancerous skin conditions. Coast Dermatology offers a variety of photo rejuvenation and sun protection products.
Skin cancer is almost always curable if detected early. To learn more about how you can protect yourself from skin cancer, contact us today at 949-499-1389.