Everyone needs to be aware about the dangers that skin cancer presents. It is a fact that 1 in 5 Americans will contract skin cancer at some point in their lives. Almost 800,000 Americans are currently living with a history of melanoma skin cancer, while nearly 13 million Americans are currently living with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer.1 This is why it is vital that every person take specific measures to protect himself or herself from the dangers and complications of skin cancer.
Men, especially, have to be aware of the possibility that they could contract skin cancer. They are twice as likely to develop basal cell skin cancer (a slow-growing type of skin cancer that rarely spreads unless left untreated for long periods) and three times more likely to develop squamous cell cancers (a type of skin cancer that grows more aggressively than basal cell cancers) than women are.2
There are approximately 39,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in men each year in the United States, and approximately 5,700 male deaths due to melanoma each year. One in 41 men (2.4%) will experience melanoma at some point in their lives. This is all the more reason why men must take a proactive approach to reducing their risk for skin cancer.3
Men Must Wear Sunscreen For Adequate Protection
One step men must take to reduce their skin cancer risk is to wear a sunscreen that has at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 and that protects against both of the sun’s ultraviolet rays (known as UVA and UVB rays).4 This is vital to blocking out much of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, which is a main factor in increasing a person’s risk for developing skin cancer.
Many men are not fond of the idea of wearing sunscreen. Some of the most common complaints include the scent of sunscreen with men claiming that the smell is too “feminine” to wear. Besides the fact that protecting yourself from ultraviolet radiation and reducing your risk of contracting skin cancer being more important than a “feminine” scent, the fact is that many of today’s sunscreens are unscented and work just as well as the ones with “that” smell.
Another reason that men don’t like wearing sunscreen is because of how it feels on their skin. Men claim that sunscreen is too oily on their skin. However, most of today’s sunscreen are actually water-based and not oil-based, which results in the sunscreen feeling much more natural on one’s skin. Again, this is not an excuse that should prevent you from protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays – there are many options out there that will feel comfortable on your skin.
Men Need to Become More Knowledgeable About the Risks of Skin Cancer to Them
Many people mistakenly think that men are too “macho” to care about their skin and the risk of contracting skin cancer. There is a concern among medical professionals that the importance of protecting one’s skin from the sun and its ultraviolet radiation is not being conveyed to men. Most advertisements for sunscreen are appearing in magazines that are marketed toward women.
The good news is that men who do get the message about the dangers of skin cancer are more proactive about skin protection. They are more willing to have regular skin screenings, especially those men who were in higher risk categories, such as men who had dealt with skin cancer in the past. Men are also more willing to examine their skin themselves on a regular basis and see their doctors when they found a suspicious-looking mole or growth on their skin.
Men Should Learn to Cover Their Skin When Working Outside During the Day
Many men are used to, and even fond of, working outside in the middle of the day with their shirts off, often gaining a tan in the process. The problem is that each suntan represents damage to the skin cells and an increase in developing skin cancer later in life.5
This is why men need to learn to wear long-sleeved clothing outside, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-filtering sunglasses as often as possible, especially when they are working outside during the time period of the day when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are at their strongest, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Men Can Take Specific Steps to Reduce Their Risk of Contracting Skin Cancer
There are specific and easy steps for men to take to reduce their risk of contracting skin cancer in the future. Applying a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 is a great first step, as this will block out much of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Wearing more long-sleeved clothing, UV-filtering sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats are other easy and effective ways to reduce their exposure to the sun, thereby reducing their risk of contracting skin cancer later in life.
Finally, learning exactly the risks of skin cancer to their health and the easy steps to take to lessen the risk of developing this disease later in life can inspire men to take the necessary steps to reduce their risks of contracting this deadly disease or lessening its complications in the event they do develop skin cancer.
References
1 Cancer Facts & Figures (2011). American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/index
2 What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers? (2011, June 21). From The American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-BasalandSquamousCell/DetailedGuide/skin-cancer-basal-and-squamous-cell-what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell
3 Ibid
4 Sun – The Burning Facts. (2006 September) United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from: www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/sunscreen.pdf
5 Skin Cancer – protecting outdoor workers. (2011 September 1) Better Health Channel – Victorian Government Department of Health. Retrieved from: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Skin_cancer_protecting_outdoor_workers?open
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