RECOGNITION OF THE HIGH-RISK PATIENT

• Fair or easily burned skin
• Blue, green or hazel eyes
• Red or naturally blonde hair
• Extensive freckling
• History of extensive outdoor sun exposure
• A prior history of skin cancer
• A family history of skin cancer

HIGH RISK PATIENT RECOGNITION CONTROL

If you said “yes” to any of the listed risk factors,

• you should have an initial complete
• skin exam by a dermatologist.

NECESSARY ACTION FOR PREVENTION OF SKIN CANCER

• Sun Protection
• Once a month self skin examination
• Examination by a dermatologist if risk factors warrant
• Treatment of precancers and cancers early

SUN PROTECTION

• Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with >/= SPF 30
• Look for sunscreen in daily moisturizer and make-up if worn
• Limit out-door activities between 10AM & 4PM
• Wear protective clothing
• Wear a broad-brim hat
• Avoid natural & artificial tanning

SUNSCREEN

• Block UVA/UVB - complete block
• SPF 30 or greater
• Apply liberally
• Reapply every 2 hours (no matter what the bottle advertises)
• Don’t use it to avoid a burn, but allow a tan (use to block the sun)
• No One Truly Likes to Wear Sunscreen! That isn’t the issue, your health is!

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Favorite worn-in white T-shirt? NO!
• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Tight weave fabric
• Special clothes with SPF available
• Special detergents available to give SPF to clothes
• Broad-brimmed hat
• IS A TAN PROTECTIVE??...NO!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

• Persistent red areas
• Areas with persistent sandpaper like scale
• Persistent sores/Won’t heal
• Areas that bleed easily
• Spots that change colors

ABCD GUIDELINES

• A - Asymmetry
• B - Border irregularity
• C - Color variation
• D - Diameter greater than 6mm (size of a pencil eraser)