It’s not surprising that as we close out May and head into June it signifies both the official kickoff to summer and Skin Cancer Awareness month. It’s a great reminder to protect your skin while enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Whether it’s a day at the pool, a barbecue with friends or simply driving in the car, protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun is important not only during the summer, but all year long. Long, light-filled days at the beach often also mean overexposure to the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can wreak havoc on your skin, eyes, and immune system. Avoiding too much sun, covering up, and using sunscreen is the key to preventing skin cancer. Early detection is important too. When skin cancer is caught early, it is usually treatable
We often view the sun’s harmful rays as the primary cause of skin cancer; the condition is often found on parts of the body that receive the most sun exposure. Skin cancers of the feet, however, are more often related to viruses, exposure to chemicals, chronic inflammation or irritation, or inherited traits. Unfortunately, the skin of the feet is often overlooked during routine medical examinations, and for this reason, it important that the feet are checked regularly for abnormalities that might indicate evolving skin cancer.