Skin Cancer Risk Factors: What Puts You at Higher Risk?

Southside Dermatology and Skin Cancer Surgery is a group of doctors dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. We offer skin cancer screenings and treatments in Tulsa, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow, OK, to prevent cancer from spreading and keep your skin healthy. Keep reading about how you can lessen your risk of skin cancer and contact us now for a screening appointment.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Several factors contribute to your risk of skin cancer:

• Family history of skin cancer
• Having light hair and eyes
• Having very fair skin and freckles
• Spending a lot of time in the sun

Managing Your Risk

Getting sunlight daily benefits your physical and mental health, so how do you ensure it does not damage your skin? To help manage your risk, limiting sun exposure during peak sunlight hours and using proper sun protection are most important.

There are simple actions you can take every day to protect your skin. Cover your skin outside, including wearing a hat and sunglasses, to protect the sensitive skin on your scalp and face. Stay out of the sun during peak sunlight hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your face and any uncovered skin. Apply sunscreen generously to start and reapply often throughout the day.

Skin Cancer Screenings

Skin cancer screening appointments are so important because skin cancer has the highest cure rates when it is detected early. Melanomas spread more aggressively than other types of skin cancer, but can still be removed effectively when detected early.

You should be examined for signs of skin cancer at least once a year. If you have a family medical history of skin cancer, your dermatologist may recommend more frequent in-office exams and examining yourself at home in between appointments.

Get Screened Today

To make an appointment with a dermatologist at Southside Dermatology and Skin Cancer Surgery, contact us in Tulsa, OK at (918) 760-0700, Muskogee, OK, at (918) 840-5276, and Broken Arrow, OK, at (918) 770-4599.