Skin Cancer Awareness Month

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about sun safety in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of this type of cancer, steps you can take to prevent it, and early detection. As the weather continues to get warmer, more Meriden residents will be heading outdoors to enjoy our city's many parks, such as Hubbard Park, City Park, Giuffrida Park and more, or spending more time on the linear trail in South Meriden. Many will be spending time cleaning up flower beds and gardens either at home or at one of Meriden's community gardens, all which equals to more time under the sun.  Skin cancer can occur when skin cells grow abnormally, usually because of damage from ultraviolet, or UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds. The three most common types are Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, And melanoma, which is the most dangerous because it can spread quickly if not caught early. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable and treatable.  Preventing skin cancer does not have to be complicated. As your local health department here are some actions you can take to be sun-safe when outdoors. Wear sunscreen every day, even if it is cloudy outside. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, especially if swimming or sweating. Our Department distributes free sunscreen packets at events over the summer. Keep an eye out for our table at community events in Meriden such as the Farmers Market or National Night Out! Seek shade when possible during peak hours when UV rays are strongest, which is typically between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Wear protective clothing. Wide-brim hats, sunglasses, and lightweight long sleeves can make a big difference. Early detection saves lives. It is important to check your skin monthly for: Anything NEW such as a mole or blemish especially if they appear after the age of 21. Spots that are CHANGING in color, shape, size or texture, or  Spots that look UNUSUAL in outline or continuously itch, hurt, crust or bleed for more than three weeks.  If you see something new, changing or unusual, it is recommended to get checked out by a dermatologist. When caught early, many forms of skin cancer are highly treatable. Melanoma, for example, has a very high survival rate when detected before it spreads. That is why awareness matters so much. A five-minute skin check today could prevent a much bigger health crisis later. For more information, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at www.skincancer.org.