5 Common Skin Cancer Myths and The Facts

1. Your Skin Tone Matters.

There is a big misconception that those who tan easily, have dark skin tones, or don’t burn have no risk for skin cancer. When it comes to tanning, activated melanin that gives you a tan is your body’s attempt at protecting your skin from further damage and increases your chances of developing sun-related ailments.

As far as skin tone goes, though lighter skin does increase your chance of skin cancer, darker skin tones are not immune to this disease. Darker-skinned men and women may still develop and suffer from all forms of UV damage and often don’t spot skin cancer until the later, more dangerous stages.

2. Skin Cancer Isn’t Dangerous.

Skin cancer is treatable when found early, and the most common ones, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are usually curable. Still, some skin cancers may lead to other issues like extensive tissue damage, disfigurement, and metastasizing to other areas of the body.

3. Sunscreen is Only For Summer.

Sunscreen should be part of your daily routine, and even though clouds or cold winter days might have you skipping your sunscreen, the rays are still strong enough to cause damage to your skin or eyes and increase your chance of skin cancer.

4.You Don’t Have to Worry About Skin Cancer Until You're Older.

Though your risk for most cancers will be more significant as you age, skin cancer risks for young adults are rising and are among the most common forms of cancer for those aged 15 and 29. Skin checks should occur monthly, and sunscreen should be part of your daily routine.

5. All SPFs are The Same.

Though UVB rays cause most sunburns, UVA rays, which also reach the earth’s surface and penetrate more deeply into the skin, contribute to skin cancer. To get the best and most proper protection, you’ll want to choose an SPF sunscreen that has broad-spectrum coverage protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. Always remember to reapply every two hours.