Sun Damage & Skin Cancer
- Actor Robert Redford, 84, has experienced a fair amount of sun damage on his skin over the years. SurvivorNet explains how this may be associated with skin cancer.
- If the skin is damaged from sun overexposure, this may cause precancerous skin lesions to form. If untreated, these precancerous cells may eventually develop into a full-blown skin cancer diagnosis.
- The main cause of most skin cancers is being overexposed to the sun and not protecting your skin. In order to protect yourself, wear sunscreen, sunglasses and hats.
Redford, known for his illustrious acting career and Oscar-winning performances, has been a part of the Hollywood A-list for decades. The California native is certainly no stranger to the sun, but after years of soaking in those rays it’s caused noticeable sun damage to his face and body. We all know that protecting our skin is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer, but is already sun damaged skin more susceptible to the disease?
Read MoreSun Exposure & Skin Cancer
A majority of times, the cancer is caused by dangerous, extensive amounts of sun damage to the skin, and can develop from an existing mole or appear as a pink growth on the skin even appearing in places that were never directly exposed to the sun. While there are numerous types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form of the disease is melanoma. It starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. Only, in melanoma, the cells change in a way that makes them able to spread to other organs.
Related: Which Sunscreen Should I Choose To Prevent Cancer?
You're most likely to find melanoma on sun-exposed areas of skin, like your face, neck, arms and legs. Surprisingly, you might also find them in places that have never been exposed to the sun such as the palms of your hand/soles of your feet, on your eyes or mouth, and even under your nails. To avoid a late-stage diagnosis it's important to check your skin regularly.
In order to protect your skin from the disease, make sure to cover every precaution while being outside. This means sporting a hat and sunglasses, as well as lathering up that sunscreen.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca explains how sunscreen to prevent damage and skin cancer
Skin Cancer Screening
One of the best ways to catch a skin cancer diagnosis early is to regularly check your skin for abnormalities. While there are ways to check your skin yourself, it’s also recommended you visit your physician regularly so that they can evaluate any changes to your skin and determine whether it’s a cause for concern. So if you find a new mole or skin growth, or if you notice a change in an existing mole, you should probably get it checked out.
Related: Melanoma Awareness: Yes, You Still Need to Protect Your Skin In The Winter
“When we evaluate a mole, it’s also very important for us to get a good sense of what your family history is and what your sun exposure history,” Dr. Cecilia Larocco, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, previously told SurvivorNet. “So when you come into a dermatologist, often we’ll ask several questions to get a sense of your risk factors [such as] any family history of melanoma, any history of tanning bed use, any history of blistering sunburns.”
Most of the time, changes to the skin won’t immediately point to cancer. However, regular screening is one of the best ways to catch a skin cancer diagnosis early and see more successful treatment results.
Dr. Cecilia Larocco explains why you should get your moles evaluated
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