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Protecting your skin and checking it for changes are keys to preventing another melanoma or catching one in an early, treatable stage.
General Guidelines for Preventing Melanoma
Avoid Exposure to the Sun
Exposure to ultraviolet rays produced by the sun increases your risk of melanoma. Here’s how to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays:
Check Your Skin for Irregular-looking Moles
Check your skin regularly. If you notice a suspicious looking mole, show it to a doctor experienced in recognizing skin cancers, such as a dermatologist. A suspicious looking mole may have the following characteristics: irregular edges that are not smooth, more than one color or irregular in contour, grown or changed in any way, or bleeds. Your healthcare provider may monitor the mole or recommend removing it.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if you discover a mole that is new has changed or looks suspicious: large or of irregular shape, color, or texture.
References:
American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp .
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .
Rigel DS. Cutaneous ultraviolet exposure and its relationship to the development of skin cancer. J Am Acad Dermatol . 2008 May;58(5 Suppl 2):S129-32. Review.
Last reviewed July 2008 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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