[ad_1]
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (WDAM) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention.
Local medical experts provide insight into the disease.
William Waller, MD, FAAD, is a dermatologist at the Hattiesburg Clinic, and he says he sees skin cancer patients regularly.
“I see skin cancer every day…” Waller said. “It’s something that affects patients 20 to 80 years old. “
We are told that one of its main causes is ultraviolet radiation.
“Sun exposure, sun damage is the number one cause of skin cancer,” Waller said.
Protecting the skin, whether in the sun or for a quick visit to the store, is crucial, Waller says.
“Sun damage is cumulative, so even small bits of exposure… go to the mailbox, run an errand outside, if you think about it, if you do that 5 or 10 minutes a few times a day. day, it can actually represent an important sun. exposure, ”Waller said.
Waller says that means failure to protect the skin can have life-threatening consequences.
“Five or more sunburns actually double your risk for melanoma…” Waller said. “It should really be an eye opener for… certainly younger people who are like, ‘Oh, I’m going to have a burn, it’s going to peel, it’s going to go away. Well, really, this damage is long term, and the more burns you have, the more likely you are to develop things like melanoma as you get older.
Waller says if skin cancer is caught early, it’s curable 99% of the time.
“Be aware of all the spots that get older,” Waller said.
Waller says that while some spots may not have symptoms, there are signs to look for.
“When it comes to skin cancer, you’re looking for spots that bleed, are tender, sometimes even itch…” Waller said. “Wounds that don’t heal or spots that get bigger… when it comes to clever moles… you obviously look at the boundaries, shape, size and color. “
To learn more about Waller’s skin protection, click here.
Copyright 2021 WDAM. All rights reserved.
.
[ad_2]
Pictures Credit