Did you know that June is Men’s Health Month? Men’s Health Month (MHM) was signed into law on May 31, 1994, and the week leading up to Father’s Day is known as Men’s Health Week. The goal of MHM is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and also to encourage early detection and treatment of disease among boys and men. During the month of June, various screenings, health fairs and education, and outreach activities are available nationwide. Men are encouraged to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for their annual physical exam for a thorough check-up, as well as to receive age-appropriate screenings and immunizations. One screening that men tend to overlook, though, is an annual skin cancer exam.
According to the CDC, men are more likely to get more sun exposure over their lifetime than women are, as they tend to spend more time outdoors, are more likely to work outdoors than women, and don’t use as many skin care products as women do that may afford some protection from ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). On average, only about 14% of men are likely to use sunscreen on their exposed skin when outdoors for more than an hour. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that among people ages 15-39, men are 55% more likely to die of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) than women, and the majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are white men over the age of 55. Men are usually more likely to get skin cancer on the back of their neck, tops of ears, and shoulders and backs than women do and are more likely to develop melanoma on their backs.
So what’s a guy to do? Nothing can replace a thorough exam by a licensed physician, so that’s the best place to start. Self-examination every month thereafter is a great idea, to keep on top of any changes to existing moles and lesions, and to note any new ones that may pop up at any time. Avoid sunburns from excessive sun exposure, indoor tanning, peak exposure times between 10 am and 4 pm, and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher every day. For outdoor activities, a water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended and should be reapplied every 2 hours, or sooner after swimming or sweating. Combining sunscreen with clothing gives you even greater protection, and there are even clothes that have UPF (similar to SPF) that are available now. Making these changes into daily habits now will pay off with healthier skin and improved health overall later!
Rebecca L Ambrose
Licensed Aesthetician