Avoiding Skin Cancer Is Possible If You Take Precautions
- Leni Klum, 19, is the daughter of famous model Heidi Klum, 50 and her latest social media post is causing a stir on social media after revealing her sunburned skin. Worried fans urged the young Dior model to better protect herself amid skin cancer concerns.
- Melanoma is mostly found on sun-exposed areas of skin, like your face, neck, arms, and legs. However, melanoma can form on parts of your body that receive very little sun or ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
- SurvivorNet experts encourage people to regularly check their bodies for unusual spots and moles. It's recommended to use the acronym ABCDE which helps you evaluate moles by focusing on their shape, size, and color to determine if melanoma skin cancer is likely.
Model Leni Klum, 19, follows in the footsteps of her famous mother, Heidi Klum, 50, who is also a model, but the younger Klum is raising eyebrows amid new photos showing off her sunburned body.
Leni Klum shared the photos on her Instagram story where she is seen laying face down on a bed. However, her back is red in color indicative of a suntan. Lines are visible on her back from where her bikini top was positioned. Within the social media post, she wrote, "obviously didn't use enough sunscreen," People Magazine was able to capture in a screenshot.
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"Congratulations on successful skin damage and aging," one person commented.
"Are you ok? Do you feel sick? You’re so pale!” so I totally get it but unfortunately the people who warn you because of skin cancer are right. Apply some sunscreen, you’ll still get a tan with it. Or get a fake tan," another person commented.
Too Much Sun Brings Skin Cancer Risks
While Klum has not indicated her sunburned skin has caused any long-term damage, we do know too much sun without protection elevates your risk of developing melanoma.
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Melanoma is mostly found on sun-exposed areas of skin, like your face, neck, arms, and legs. However, melanoma can form on parts of your body that receive very little sun or ultraviolet (UV) exposure. These areas may include your palms, the soles of your feet, your eyes, your mouth, and underneath your nails.
Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman previously shared with SurvivorNet, "It's a common misconception that people think they only have to protect their skin when they're in the bright, warm sunshine. But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year…even in the cold, wintry months."
Sunscreen helps reduce your skin cancer risks but choosing the right kind is important.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use no less than SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours.
"The other important thing to look for when it comes to sunscreen is whether or not it's broad spectrum. So broad spectrum means it covers both UVB and UVA rays," Dr. Larocca tells SurvivorNet.
"If it's not listed on the sunscreen bottle, chances are it doesn't provide that. When I go out in the sun, I make sure that I wear a hat, I wear sunglasses that are polarized, and I use sunscreen regularly," Dr. Larocca continued.
Dr. Larocca says people usually only get about 50% of the SPF on the label. So, if you're using SPF 60, you're really getting closer to 30 SPF of protection. To make sure you're getting the right protection, she also recommends using sunscreen every two hours.
More on Skin Cancer
- 3 Skin Cancer Myths, Busted: Can One Bad Sun Burn Cause Cancer?
- A 17% Decreased Risk of Skin Cancer Just By Eating More Cantaloupes, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes
- Am I At Risk from Sunscreens That Claim Good Protection, But When You Look at the Fine Print Not So Much? What You Need to Know for Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- Can I Get Skin Cancer On My Genitals Even Though They’ve NEVER Seen The Sun?
- Do The UV Lamps At Nail Salons Increase Risk Of Skin Cancer?
A Useful Trick to Help You Remain Watchful for Melanoma
SurvivorNet experts recommend you do regular skin exams to look for any unusual spots or moles on your body. This can be an important first step to preventing skin cancer from advancing.
WATCH: Understanding the ABCDEs during skin exams.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use no less than SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours.
"The other important thing to look for when it comes to sunscreen is whether or not it's broad spectrum. So broad spectrum means it covers both UVB and UVA rays," Dr. Larocca tells SurvivorNet.
By using the ABCDE checklist, you can better look out for signs of melanoma. The acronym stands for:
- Asymmetrical moles: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match? If not, your mole is considered asymmetrical
- Borders: The edges of your mole look irregular, jagged, or uneven; can also stand for bleeding’
- Colors: Multiple distinct colors in the mole, including patches of pink, brown, grey, and blackbut could be any color
- Diameter: Larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil head eraser
- Evolution: Anything that's changing over time such as gaining color, losing color, pain, itching or changing shape.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with melanoma, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to help understand your situation:
- Has my melanoma spread to other parts of the body or is it localized?
- What are my treatment options?
- Will there be side effects associated with my treatment?
- What types of financial and emotional support will be available to me as I begin my cancer journey?
- How long do you expect my treatments to last?
- Will I be able to work and continue my daily activities during treatment?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.