With Summer in full swing, many people will be heading to the beaches and spending time out in the sun. Experts warn to not overdo it, as you could put yourself at risk of melanoma.  Melanoma is a less common skin cancer but one that accounts for most deaths.  One such case is a Granite City woman named Kristi Fetter.  She is a survivor of four types of cancer, including melanoma in 2018. She attends a cacner support group through OSF Healthcare in Alton.  

A patient navigator at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Heather Chambers, agrees saying that she wants to commit the number 30 to memory.  30 SPF sunscreen is recommended to keep you as safe as possible.  If you are light-skinned, you should go higher than 30 SPF. Tanning, either in the sun or a tanning bed, is popular, but Chambers encourages you to do it in moderation.

Dr. Alejandro Sanz sees many different types of cancers in his role as a surgeon for OSF Healthcare. He encourages you to skip the tanning bed, but watch your watch when you’re in the sun.  

Dr. Sanz encourages you to remember the ABCDE’s of melanoma.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should follow the ABCDE’s for moles. A is for asymmetry. One half is not like the other half.  B is for border, when the mole has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border. C is for color, as you should inspect if the mole has different colors. D is for diameter, and Doctor’s encourage you to check if your mole is greater than six millimeters.  E is for evolving, as to check if the mole looks different from the rest. 

Chambers sums it up with moderation. 

Learn more about skin cancer by visiting the OSF Healthcare website, or by talking to your local physician.