Melanoma Monday – May 3, 2010

One in Five people will develop skin cancer Melanoma is the most common cancer in year olds One American dies every 61 minutes of melanoma

SKIN CANCER CAN LOOK LIKE THE FOLLOWING: Translucent pearl-shaped growth Mole that has begun to grow, bleed, and/or itch

Asymmetrical: If lesion were folded in half, the two sides would not match. Borders: irregular. Color: varies. Diameter: greater than 6 mm (size of a pencil eraser). While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm when diagnosed, they can be smaller. Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

Brown or black streak underneath a nail Sore that repeatedly heals and reopens Smooth, waxy lesion Cluster of slow growing, shiny or scaly lesions that are pink or red

1. In front of a mirror – check your back, front, right and left sides 2. Bend Your Elbows – check forearms, upper arms and palms 3. Check back of legs, feet, between toes and soles of feet 4. With a Hand Mirror- check back of neck and scalp 5. With a Hand Mirror – check back and buttocks

Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, Many of the more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year could be prevented with protection from the suns rays.

– click on Body Mole Map for an awesome tool for tracking lesions ex.html ex.html Talk with your school nurse: Sandy Kohut, RN, BSN Kandy Gay, RN, BSN Paula Langeloh, RN Sheri Woll, RN