Exercise Caution Outdoors

Exercising and gardening outside poses it's own risk for skin cancers, moles and rashes. It is important for everyone who spends any amount of time outdoors to perform a monthly skin self-exam. Just what makes a mole suspicious? This has been summarized in the "ABCDEs" of melanomas, in which:

A = Asymmetry of outline
B = Border irregularity
C = Color irregularity
D = Diameter greater than 6 mm (larger than a pencil eraser)
E = Enlargement of recent origin

Most melanomas are fairly large and irregular in shape and color, while moles are generally small and symmetrically round or oval. Most melanomas produce no symptoms so be on the look out. Fair skin people are at more risk but anyone can get skin cancer. Remember that reggae singer Bob Marley died of a melanoma. The average American has a 1 in 75 lifetime risk of developing a melanoma. A few things that increase risk are:

• two or more blistering sunburns before age 18

• fair skin, freckles and sensitivity to the sun

• having more than 50 moles

• having a parent, brother, sister or child with a melanoma

• having occasional intense sun exposure on weekends or on vacations

Examine your skin once per month using a hand-held mirror and full- length mirror to better see your back or use the buddy system. See your doctor or dermatologist if you have any suspicious spots. A fairly large, irregularly pigmented flat spot is the most common early sign of a melanoma. At the same time you examine your skin, perform a breast exam if you are a woman or testicle exam if you are a man. This should take a total of five minutes per month or one hour per year - Time well spent.

by Carol Glasscock, MS,PT