Lets Talk Prevention

Preventing skin cancer is about much more than just applying sunscreen; it’s about taking control of your health before a problem even starts. While we are often told what to do, we aren't always told why it works or how to navigate a healthcare system that sometimes values quick fixes over long term prevention. This page is here to give you simple, honest advice on how to protect your skin every day and what questions to ask your doctor during a check up. By staying informed and being proactive, you can lower your risks and make sure you’re always the one in charge of your own well being.

Patient Education: Taking Back Control

When a doctor suggests a biopsy or a surgery, you have the right to understand the data behind that choice. It's important to know what resources can help you read your own skin reports and understand your "Prevention Rights." By becoming a student of your own health, you move from being a passive patient to a powerful partner who can spot when a recommendation might be based on clinic speed rather than your specific needs.

Understand what questions to ask: The most important part of your doctor's visit happens during the conversation, not the exam. Make sure you're asking all the questions you feel necessary, as well as understanding the answers you're being given. Some examples of questions include:

  • "Is this biopsy medically necessary right now, or can we monitor this spot for a month first?"
  • "If this is skin cancer, what are the non-surgical or less-invasive ways to treat it?" 

Sun Safety: Your Daily Defense

  • SPF is your first line of defense, but it’s about more than just a quick spray of sunscreen.
  • This includes choosing mineral sunscreens (like zinc or titanium) which sit on top of the skin to block rays immediately.
    • As well as using SPF 30 minimum for daily use, and SPF 50 when you plan on being in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
  • Another less used method is wearing UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing that protects you without needing a messy re-application.
    • This protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, so not only the ones that penetrate the surface of the skin, but the ones that penetrate deeply and cause skin aging and wrinkling, and of course, skin cancer.
  • Think of these habits not as a chore, but as a daily investment in keeping your skin healthy and avoiding the need for medical procedures later on.

Mastering the Self-Check

  • You are the world’s leading expert on your own skin. By performing a monthly head to toe check, you can spot changes long before anyone else does.
  • Using a mirror to check hard-to-see spots like your back and scalp, look for the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, shifting Colors, a large Diameter, or a mole that is Evolving (changing) over time.
  • Catching a spot early doesn't just save your health, it gives you more options for treatment, often allowing for much less invasive care.