LBNL Health Services encourages all employees to enjoy the outdoors safely and stay informed about the risks of skin cancer and the importance of early detection.
Tips to Keep Skin Healthy
- Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours (10 AM to 4 PM).
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
- Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, which reflect UV rays
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours.
- Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including ears, neck, and tops of feet
- Perform regular skin self-exams and see a provider for any concerns.
Protecting Your Skin Starts with Awareness
The good news is that most skin cancers are highly treatable when found early. Performing regular skin self-exam, early detection and receiving screenings from your healthcare provider can help identify concerns early, when treatment is most effective.
What to look for: Know the ABCDEs of Melanoma
A – Asymmetry:
One half of the spot does not match the other.
B – Border:
Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C – Color: Color is not uniform and may include shades of brown,
black, or even pink, red, white, or blue.
D – Diameter:
The spot is larger than 6mm
(about the size of a pencil eraser).
E – Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
How do I perform a Full-Body Skin Self-Exam?
The CDC and dermatology experts recommend monthly self-exams. Use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to check all areas of your skin, including hard-to-see places like your back and scalp.
Step 1: Check your torso. Look at the front of your neck,
chest, and abdomen. Use a hand mirror and a full-length
mirror to examine the back of your neck, shoulders, and
upper back
Step 2: Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms.
Bend your elbows and examine the insides of your arms,
underarms, fingernails, and both sides of your hands.
Step 3: Inspect your legs, feet, and toes. Sit down to examine the
front and back of your thighs, calves, ankles, the tops and soles of
your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails.
Step 4: Examine your face, ears, and scalp.
Use a comb or brush to part your hair so you can
inspect your entire scalp with a mirror.
