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2 Of all the cancers that humans can get, skin cancer is the most common. In the United States, skin cancer is increasing in all races. Who gets skin cancer? People of all colors and races get skin cancer. Those ith light skin ho sunbui'n easily have a higher risk. Risk factors include: sunburns, family history of skin cancer, exposure to x-rays, eakened immune system, scarring caused by a disease or burn, and exposure to cancer-causing compounds such as arsenic. Using indoor tanning devices such as tanning beds and sunlamps also increases the risk of developing skin cance r. What does skin cancer look like? There are different types of skin cance r, and each tends to look a bit different. ACTINIC KERATOSES (AK) These dry, scaly patches or spots are considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cance r. In rare cases, an AK can prog ress to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SeC). People ho get AKs usually have fair skin. Most people see their fi rst AKs after 4 years of age because AKs tend to develop after years of Actinic Keratosis sun exposure. But even teens can have AKs hen they live in sunny areas or use indoor tann ing. AKs form on skin that gets lots of sun exposure, such as the head, neck, hands, and forearms. Because AKs increase the risk of getting see, AKs are usually treated. Proper use of sunscreens can help prevent AKs. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC) This is the most common type of skin cancer. It frequently looks like a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump. It also can appear as a pinkish patch of skin. Like AKs, Bee develops on skin th at gets frequent sun exposure, such as the head, neck, and arms. Many Bees also form on the trunk and loer limbs. Whi le Bee frequently develops in people h o have fair skin, it can occur in people ith dark skin. Bee usually does not gro quickly, and it rarely spreads to other parts of the body. But it should be treated promptly. This cancer can invade the surrounding tissue and gro into the nerves and bones, causing damage and disfigurement. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC) see is the second most common type of skin cancer. This skin cancer often looks like a firm bump, scaly patch, or an ulcer that heals and then re-opens. see is usually reddish in color. It tends to form on skin that gets frequent sun exposure, such as the rim of the ear, face, neck, arms, and trunk. People ho have light skin are most likely to develop see, but it can also develop in dark-skinned people, especially those ho have scarring. Because see can gro deep, it can cause damage and disfigurement. Early treatment can prevent this and stop see from spreading to other areas of the body. MELANOMA This skin cancer frequently develops in a mole or appears suddenly as a ne dark spot on the skin. Either ay, melanoma can be deadly. Every year, more than 8,5 Americans (nearly one person per hour) die from melanoma, making melanoma the deadliest form of skin cancer.

3 Are there arning signs? It is estimated that more than 12, Americans ill develop melanoma this year. A change is often the first sign of melanoma; therefore, it is important to kno here moles appear and hat they look like. When detected and properly treated before it spreads, melanoma has a high cure rate. The ABCDE arning signs of melanoma can help people detect change : n stands for Ilia ASYMMETRY; one... half unlike the other half. r:i stands for BORDER; 1:1 irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border. r:i stands for COLOR; 1:1 varied from one area to another; shades of tan and bron, black; sometimes hite, red or blue. I stands for DIAMETER; hile melanomas are usually greater than Bmm (the size of a pencil eraser) hen diagnosed, they can be smaller. stands for EVOLVING' a mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color. Other changes that could indicate melanoma are pain, itch, or bleeding in a mole or ne spot on the skin. What are the risk factors? Several risk factors increase a person's likelihood of.getting melanoma. One risk factor is sun exposure. It is important to protect the skin ith sunscreen and clothing and never sunburn. Another risk factor is light skin. Hoever, people ith skin of color do get melanoma. In skin of color, melanoma usually appears on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitals. A fe risk factors significantly increase a person's risk of getting melanoma. If one or more first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) has had melanoma, the risk significantly increases. Having many moles (5-1 or more) or several atypical moles also increases the risk. An atypical mole is not cancerous, but because of its different appearance, these moles need to be closely monitored for any changes. Having had melanoma also increases your chances of having additional melanomas. Most skin cancer can be found early. Are skin exams important? With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for BCC and SCC is about 95%. When melanoma is detected before it spreads, it also has a high cure rate. Regular skin exams help people find early skin cancers.

4 Periodic self-examination Early detection and treatment is key to surviving melanoma. It is beneficial to get assistance from a partner in performing skin self-exams. Get familiar ith your skin and your on pattern of moles, freckles, and "beauty marks." Make sure to look at your entire body every month or to. Consult a dermatologist promptly if any changes are noticed. 1 Exa mine body 2 Bend elbos, 3 Look at backs of 4 Examine back of 5 Finall y, check front and back in look carefully at legs an d feet, neck and scalp back and mirror, th en right forearms, back spaces beteen ith a hand buttocks ith a and left sides, of upper arms, toe s, and soles. mirror. Part hair hand mirror. arms raised. and palms. and lift. Ho can I protect myself? Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here's ho to Be Sun Smart : Generously apply a broad-spectrum ater-resistant sunscreen ith a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 3 or more to all exposed skin. Broad-spectrum provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply approximately every to hours, even on cloudy days, and after simming or seating. Wear protectlve clothing, such as a longsleeved shirt, pants, a ide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, here possible. One type of skin exam is the skin self-exam. During a self-exam, people examine their on skin for signs of change. If a groth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, see a dermatologist. People ho have spent time in the sun, have a family history of skin cancer (especially melanoma), have many moles or atypical moles, or have other risk factors for skin cancer should see a dermatologist for regular skin exams. Some people should have this exam once a year. Others need more frequent exams. A dermatologist ill recommend the frequency that is best for each patient. If during the skin exam, a dermatologist sees a potential skin cancer, the dermatologist ill remove the groth (or part of it) so that it can be examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A dermatologist can safely and quickly perform this procedure during an office visit. If the biopsy report confirms that the suspicious groth is skin cancer, more treatment may be needed. When caught early and the entire groth is removed, sometimes further treatment is not needed. If further treatment is needed, the dermatologist ill choose from an array of medical and surgical treatments for skin cancer. Treatment varies ith the type of skin cancer, the size and location of the skin cancer, and the needs of the patient. Seek shade hen appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest beteen 1 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shado is shorter than you are, seek shade. Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, earing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen. Use extra caution near ater. sno. and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun hich can increase your chance of sunburn. Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun. Avoid tanning beds Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and rinkling. If you ant to look like

5 you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen ith it. Check your birthday sull on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, groing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable hen caught early. Check the Academy's Web site (.aad.org) for the latest list of sun-protective products that meet the stringent criteria of the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION. A dermatologist is a physician ho specializes in treating the medical, surgical and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair and nails. To learn more about skin cancer, log onto.aad.org or call toil-free (888) 462-DERM (3376) to find a dermatologist in your area. All conl en! solely developed by the America n Academy of Dermatology. ",,,1_."..." bcdlt'l/(i' / 11 l lt'riildl/l/(lgr'm 21,\monrAn I\cdQmy 1 Du,mll1r1oIlY Images usecl l lh " ermlsslon 1 Ihe Ame"can AcaClefllY 1 Derma,ology Natoonall.Jo,ary 1 Oermalologlc Tenc"lOg Slide. unless OU1, W15& c itod P,'1togmpl! prcviou!ily pvljlistkjd m rhd Jotyf1<l! 1 till..,'\mt'iicl}11 AtiJlItW1y cl UernM' OIogy, 2{'KJ, FH> ; RlIfOiH D. PciJo'xfuJ U 7 hang H Pmo XL r..""u HC 'UV'5pfKI'h ij itll:1 PlCH mtjflwiji', fopcnlltl/f,; Uti II c.li :1I(Cilk)(! l,j 1 sun- xposcd sj..m-copynijijt EISeYtCf t:!ooi). AmerIcan Acadel1lY of Dermatology PO Bc>,. 414 Schaurnbur\l III,nol! 6168.\ 14 AAD PublIC Inlor","lio" Cente, (8881 4l>2 DEORM 133U,) AAD M",,,I;", fllb<"hc Cenler 1866) S3 SK IN (754,;) Web 'ioivw "ad )'11 pm" I.'