ROCHESTER, Minn. ― With the new year underway, many people are looking to improve their health. One way they can do that is to reduce their chance of melanoma by understanding potential risk factors.

A recent Mayo Clinic study published in Dermatologic Surgery examined the role of risk perception in limiting potential behavior that could increase a person's chance of developing future melanoma. The findings suggest that having a knowledge of skin cancer risk could influence risky behavior, such as tanning bed use. 

"We know there is a large increase in the number of young and middle-aged women who are getting melanoma, compared to 40 years ago," says Jerry Brewer, M.D., a Mayo Clinic dermatologist and the lead researcher. "This study demonstrated that individuals who were at higher risk for skin cancer not only had an accurate self-assessment of their risk, but were also unlikely to use a tanning bed within the next year."

Using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, researchers developed the Olmsted County Healthy Skin Study. This study examined the role of tanning bed use in people who knew about the risk of skin cancer.

The study noted these findings:

• Most people in the study were female and had a previous history of tanning bed use.
• People with a previous history of tanning bed use viewed their skin cancer risk to be higher than peers who did not use a tanning bed.
• People in this study had an appropriate knowledge base of their skin cancer risk.

"Melanoma is on the rise. We also know that tanning beds play a significant factor in melanoma development. In this study, it was nice to see that having an accurate perception of skin cancer and a perceived high risk of skin cancer development was associated with a less chance of tanning bed use within the next year," says Dr. Brewer.

While more research is needed, study findings indicate that an understanding of potential cancer risk is associated with behavior modification when it comes to tanning bed use.

"More studies would help clarify some of the questions regarding skin cancer risk, perceived risk, and what accurately predicts behavior modification pertaining to skin cancer development," says Dr. Brewer.

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Media contact:

• Emily Blahnik, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My doctor suggested I get a yearly skin check by a dermatologist to check for melanoma. Why is this necessary? I am almost 50 and have never had any suspicious moles or spots.

ANSWER: It’s a good idea to be evaluated by a dermatologist once a year. In addition, checking your skin at home regularly will make it more likely that melanoma and other types of skin cancer are caught early. The sooner skin cancer is found, the better the chances are of curing it.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in cells called melanocytes that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. The exact cause of all melanomas isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation increases your risk of developing the disease. This can come from sunlight, as well as from tanning lamps and beds.

The number of melanoma cases has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, especially in middle-age women. The increase may be linked to the rise of tanning bed use in the 1980s, when many women who are now in their 40s and 50s were in their teens.

Melanoma that goes unchecked and spreads can be difficult to treat. But when it’s caught early, melanoma often is curable. That’s why it’s so important to be familiar with your skin and report any changes to your dermatologist right away, especially if you’ve had a significant amount of exposure to tanning beds in the past. Get into the habit of checking your skin once a month. In particular, watch for moles appearing that haven’t been there before.

Know the ABCs of skin cancer, too, and report any of them to your dermatologist. “A” is for asymmetry: One half of a mole looks different from the other half. “B” is border: The borders of a mole are uneven, jagged or scalloped. “C” is for color: The color of a mole is different from one area to another. Specifically, if you see colors of the U.S. flag — red, white or blue — within a mole, that can be a concerning change.

It’s also important to note a mole’s size. If you have a mole larger than about one-quarter of an inch across — or about the size of a pencil eraser — have it checked. If there is a change in the size, shape or color of a mole, or if you develop symptoms such as bleeding, itching or tenderness, that should be evaluated, as well.

Other kinds of skin cancer that a dermatologist will be looking for include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to look like pink, red or scaly spots on your skin that do not go away on their own.

An annual skin check from a dermatologist often only takes a few minutes, but it is a critical part of catching skin cancer early. Dermatologists specialize in skin disorders and often can spot problem areas on the skin quickly. That’s particularly true after you have your first skin assessment, which may take a little longer than follow-up visits.

Of course, prevention is also key. Protect your skin as much as possible. Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when UV light is the strongest. But when you are outdoors, use sunscreen no matter the season or weather. The sun protection factor, or SPF, of your sunscreen should be at least 30, and sunscreen should be applied generously and frequently to get the full amount of protection. Never use a tanning light or tanning bed, as they can drastically increase your chances of melanoma. — Dr. Jerry Brewer, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Related Articles

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Raising your skin cancer IQ published 6/18/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: The A, B, C, D and Es of skin cancer published 5/1/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 types of skin cancer published 4/8/19
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Tanning beds raise risk for skin cancer published 3/29/19
• Living With Cancer: Skin cancer — diagnosis and treatment published 8/17/18

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The post Advance Directives / Sunscreen / Advances in Anesthesia: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

It’s not something anyone wants to think about: end-of-life care. But, it’s important to decide what kind of medical care is wanted when someone becomes too ill or hurt to express his or her wishes. Advance directives are legal documents that spell out decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time to avoid confusion later on among family, friends and health care professionals. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Richard Sharp, director of the Biomedical Ethics Program at the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, and Dr. Erin DeMartino, medical ethics researcher, share information on how to create an advance directive. Also on the program, dermatologist Dr. Jerry Brewer has tips on using sunscreen. And, anesthesiologist Dr. Denise Wedel explains the exciting advances in the use of anesthesia.

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 16, at 9:05 a.m. CDT, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

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Access archived shows.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Advance Directives / Sunscreen / Advances in Anesthesia appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 16, at 9:05 a.m. CDT.

Miss the show?  Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Advance Directives / Sunscreen / Advances in Anesthesia appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post Immunotherapy / Melanoma / Birth Control: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 2, at 9:05 a.m. CDT, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Immunotherapy / Melanoma / Birth Control appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 2, at 9:05 a.m. CDT.

Miss the show?  Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

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Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Jerry Brewer says legislature to decrease tanning bed use would be a good thing. "Tanning is never a good idea, and more people develop skin cancer because of tanning bed use than those who develop lung cancer because of smoking. In fact, some sources feel that just one session in a tanning bed can increase the chances of developing melanoma by 20 percent." Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, and Brewer says, "in melanoma cases occurring in young people between 18 and 29 years old, 76 percent can be attributed to tanning beds." According to the FDA, 1.6 million minors use tanning beds, and the negative effects can add up over time.

In addition to proposing age limits on indoor tanning use, the FDA also wants to make them safer for adults who choose to use them. Those safety measures include:

• The requirement that adults sign a document acknowledging they know the risks
• Easier to see warning labels
• An obvious stop or "panic button"
• Improved eye protection

Dr. Brewer says the best way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid indoor tanning beds and to be smart with exposure to sunlight.

• Use sunscreen daily with SPF of higher than 15
• Supplement sun screens with hats, sun glasses and sun-wear
• Reapply sun screen if you're out in the sun for long periods of time

"If one does develop skin cancer, the best thing to do is to catch it as early as possible. Doing skin self-exams on a monthly basis at home and seeing a dermatologist for a yearly checkup can increase the chances of catching skin cancer early and surviving it."

The post Should There be Age Restrictions on Tanning Beds? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: You’re wise to keep an eye on your skin. Being evaluated by a dermatologist once a year and checking your skin regularly are two excellent steps you can take to catch melanoma and other types of skin cancer early. The sooner skin cancer is found, the better the chances are of curing it.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in cells called melanocytes that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. The exact cause of all melanomas isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing the disease.

The number of melanoma cases has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, especially in middle-age women. The increase may be linked to the rise of tanning bed use in the 1980s, when many women who are now in their 40s and 50s were in their teens.

If melanoma goes unchecked and spreads, it can be very difficult to treat. But if you catch melanoma early, it’s often curable. That’s why it’s so important to be familiar with your skin and report any changes to your dermatologist right away, especially if you’ve had a significant amount of exposure to tanning beds in the past. Get into the habit of checking your skin once a month. In particular, watch for new moles appearing that haven’t been there before.

Know the ABCs of skin cancer, too, and report any of them to your dermatologist. A is for asymmetry: one half of a mole looks different from the other half. B is border: the borders of a mole are uneven, jagged or scalloped. C is for color. The color of a mole is different from one area to another. Specifically, if you see colors of the U.S. flag — red, white or blue — within a mole, that can be a concerning change.

It’s also important to note a mole’s size. If you have a mole larger than about a quarter of an inch across — or about the size of a pencil eraser — have it checked. If there is a change in the size, shape, color or height of a mole, or if you develop symptoms such as bleeding, itching or tenderness, that should be evaluated, as well.

Keep in mind, too, there are other kinds of skin cancer in addition to melanoma, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to look like pink, red or scaly spots on your skin that do not go away on their own.

Although the annual skin check you get from your dermatologist may not last long, it is a critical part of catching skin cancer early. Dermatologists specialize in skin disorders and can often spot problem areas on the skin quickly. That’s particularly true after you have your first skin assessment, which may take a little longer than your follow-up visits.

Of course prevention is also key. Protect your skin as much as you can. Whenever possible, stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when UV light is the strongest. When you are outdoors, use plenty of sunscreen in all seasons, and put it on your skin often. The sun protection factor, or SPF, of your sunscreen should be at least 30. Never use a tanning light or a tanning bed, as they can drastically increase your chances of melanoma. — Jerry Brewer, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Regular skin checks help catch melanoma, other skin cancers early appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.