Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month

What’s the most common form of cancer? It’s not breast cancer. It’s not prostate cancer. In fact, it doesn’t occur inside the body at all! Without question, the most common form of cancer for both men and women is skin cancer – and May is Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month. At Orange County CyberKnife, we offer noninvasive CyberKnife treatment treatment for a variety of conditions, but we’ve seen firsthand that patient education and awareness are among the most vital parts of battling cancer. That’s why events like Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month are so important.

Statistics About Melanoma & Skin Cancer

There are more than 5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the United States alone, making it the most common form of cancer. In fact, more people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined! Roughly 20% of the US population develops skin cancer by age 70, and precancerous skin conditions affect some 58 million Americans. Melanoma and skin cancer are incredibly common, but thankfully, they’re often treatable and entirely preventable.

How to Protect from Skin Cancer

Unlike many forms of cancer, scientists are almost certain of what causes the vast majority of skin cancer cases. 85% of melanoma cases and 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer cases are caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays: over time, these rays damage the DNA in skin cells, eventually causing them to mutate and become cancerous.

This fact has important consequences for how we can fight skin cancer. The most effective way to combat skin cancer is to start with prevention, and that means protecting your skin from the sun. Wearing hats, clothing that covers the skin, and high-SPF sunscreen whenever you’re exposed to the sun is the best way to keep yourself safe from melanoma. This is especially important for children and young people, but it applies to everyone: skin damage from sunlight is cumulative, so everyone can benefit from protecting themselves no matter what their age.

Contact Your Orange County Radiation Therapy Center

This May, make a conscious effort to learn more about the effects of skin cancer and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to adopt a sun-safe lifestyle. If you have more questions about melanoma or skin cancer, we can help: just give us a call at 714.962.7100. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we wish you a sun-safe Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month!