2017 Melanoma Monday
Be kind to your skin: It’s Melanoma Monday!
Monday May 1st is “Melanoma Monday,” a day devoted to melanoma awareness. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, and melanoma is the deadliest form. It can affect anyone, including young children. Though most often diagnosed in men over the age of 50, it’s the leading cause of cancer death in young women aged 25–30.
It’s common to find melanoma on the back, shoulders, and the back of legs- all places that can be hard to see yourself. The good news is that melanoma can be highly curable if caught in early stages, so if you’re concerned, be sure to make an appointment sooner rather than later.
To help raise awareness, Market Street is offering free melanoma checks Monday, May 1st. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended to ensure you’re seen promptly.
If you’re planning on enjoying the summer sun, please remember these important tips to reduce your risk of melanoma:
- Make sunscreen a daily habit.
- Protect your body with sun-protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses.
- Avoid peak rays. Seek shade during the mid-day sun.
- Stay out of tanning beds. Indoor tanning can increase risk of melanoma up to 75%.
- Protect children. Just one bad sunburn in childhood doubles a child’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.
