What if you could opt out of cancer for good? Clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Medical Center and vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation Dr. Deborah Sarnoff says that skin cancer affects approximately one million people per year, yet it is the most preventable form of cancer there is.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and today is Melanoma Monday. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It begins as a tumor in the melanocyte cells, which produce melanin, a pigment found in skin, hair and eyes.

Most moles, freckles and beauty spots on your skin are normal and harmless. However, over time they can change and become malignant, or cancerous, so it is important to stay vigilant about your skin’s health. Early detection is the key to surviving any cancer, and skin cancer is no exception.

Get to know your skin, examine yourself once a month, and make sure to see a board-certified dermatologist once a year. Dr. Sarnoff urges people to make skin care as routine as brushing their teeth.

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Essential Skin Care:
• Wear a hat when in the sun
• Wear sunglasses when in the sun
• Wear protective clothing when possible
• Always wear sunscreen, regardless of the season
*At least SPF 15 on the body, SPF 30 on the face


The ABCDE Warning Signs of Melanoma:
See your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Asymmetry – A mole should be symmetrical. If you draw a line down your mole, and one side is larger than the other.
• Border – A mole should be nice, even and smooth. If the borders are uneven, scalloped or notched.
• Color – A mole should be one color. If your mole is variegated, or if there are various shades of brown, tan, black or red in the mole.
• Diameter – Technically, moles can be all sizes, but if your mole is bigger than an eraser point on a pencil.
• Evolving – If your mole starts to change size, color or elevation.