Restoring My Complexion

5 Myths About Skin Cancer

23 December 2015 by Dylan Owens

Skin cancer is one of the deadliest diseases that you can contract. Your epidermal layer of skin alone constitutes the largest series of tissues on your body, which can make you quite vulnerable to a number of factors that contribute to skin cancer, especially the sun's UV rays. Unfortunately, due to the prevalence of skin cancer in the public eye, a number of myths have popped up regarding what skin cancer is, what it can do, and who can contract it. Luckily, this article will serve to debunk 5 of the most common myths about skin cancer.

People With Dark Skin Can't Get Skin Cancer

It is true that dark skinned individuals are less likely to contract skin cancer than people with lighter skin or fair complexions. However, this does not mean that such people are invulnerable to contracting skin cancer. People with dark skin should take the exact same precautions as light skinned individuals whenever they know they are going to be exposed to the sun's UV rays for an extended period of time. This includes putting on sunscreen, as well as bringing along additional clothes to cover body parts that will be exposed for long periods of time.

Skin Cancer Isn't Deadly

This is an incredibly dangerous myth that has been propagated in recent years. The reason that a number of people think that some forms of skin cancer are not deadly and should not be treated is most likely due to the fact that people understand that melanomas, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, are dangerous and deadly, and therefore nonmelanomas, less aggressive skin cancers, can be assessed with a certain blasé attitude. This simply isn't the case. Other forms of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, should be treated with the same attitude that you treat a melanoma, even if they are less likely to be deadly.

Sunscreen Is Enough To Protect Your Skin

Sunscreen is not enough to protect your skin. Research has recently found that UV rays can still damage the DNA in your skins pigment cells, even if you're wearing sunscreen. This means that you should take extra precaution during particularly sunny or bright days. Make sure to bring extra long-sleeved clothing if you know you will be out in the sun for an extended period of time. This is also not to say that you should not wear sunscreen. Sunscreen still provides an extra layer of resilience that your skin alone cannot provide.

People With Moles Are More Susceptible To Skin Cancer

This is, in fact, not true, but there is a strong element of concern that you should have about skin cancer if you find that you do have a lot of moles. Most moles are quite harmless and simply because you have moles does not make your body more vulnerable to skin cancer. However, having moles can be indicative of the fact that you do have an early stage of skin cancer. It is important to consult with your physician regarding what types of moles are a sign of a melanoma and what types of moles are ultimately of no substantive consequence on your health.

Only Direct Sunlight Causes Cancer

This is simply not the case. Many people assume that if they are not in direct sunlight – or even if they do not notice the sun – they are not at risk for cancer. Take, for example, the case of individuals who spend a lot of times on the slopes skiing or snowboarding. Many people assume that they are not at risk for skin cancer because they are not directly exposed to the sun's UV rays. The sun's UV rays can be reflected by bright surface, such as the snow, and even magnified, causing even more damage to you and your skin.

When it comes to your skin, make sure you take the proper precautions to ensure that you are protected from the sun's UV rays. Skin cancer is a serious issue, and knowing the truths to a few popular myths surrounding its existence will help you be better prepared to prevent it. For more information, contact a professional dermatologist, such as those at Dermatology Surgery Center.

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