What do I need to know about skin cancer?

Living in Arizona, what do I need to know about skin cancer?
Arizona attracts people because of its year around blue skies and sunshine. Because of this we also need to be aware of the long term affects of the sun. In Arizona you are at the greatest risk for sunburn between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the ultraviolet rays of the sun that burn you get through the clouds. If you have blue eyes, blonde hair, red hair or get freckles in the sun, you are at greater risk for a sunburn but people pf all eye colors and skin types are at risk. When spending time outdoors use a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating of at least 15.

What does SPF mean? 
Basically take the amount of time it would take you to burn without sunscreen (UV Index) and multiply it by the sunscreen's Sun Protection Factor to figure out how long you can be outside with sunscreen. For example, if it will take 20 minutes to burn today without sunscreen, and you use an SPF 15 product, you can stay outside 5 hours without burning (15 x 20= 300 minutes or 5 hours).  It is important to check your skin on a regular basis to see if you notice any changes.

The four warning signs of cancer include the "ABCD" guidelines:

• A is for Asymmetry--one half of a mole is different than the other.
• B is for Border irregularity--mole has poorly defined edges.
• C is for Color variations--inconsistent colors on the mole.
• D is for Diameter--larger than a pencil eraser.

At any of these signs you should see your doctor.