Although many will welcome the warmer and sunnier weather that climate change brings, it can come with some serious health problems.
An overexposure to ultraviolet light from either the sun's rays or other sources such as tanning beds is one of the key causes of skin cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in the US.
Although awareness of the risks around getting too much sun is on the rise, there is one place people often forget to put sun-tan lotion - their feet.
Most people often never check their feet for signs of melanoma, letting the cancer spread unchecked.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body. Of all types of skin cancer, it causes the most deaths because of its tendency to spread to other parts of the body.
One thing to look out for on your feet is the presence of open sores. Or cuts that heal quickly but quickly return.
With cancer, one of the most important things is to detect it quickly.
The CDC notes: "A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same."
There are eight signs that are worth looking out for when it comes to skin cancer.
These are a...
- Mole with a mix of colours
- Large mole
- Mole that changes over time
- Swollen mole
- Bleeding mole
- Itchy mole
- Crusty mole
- Mole in the shape of a line under a nail
Women are most likely to find melanoma skin cancers on their legs where as men are more likey to see them on their back or torso.
The CDC advises people to be concerned about UV rays all year round and not just in the Summer months.
They advise that UV rays are strongest from 9 am to 3 pm standard time.
When the UV index is three or higher:
- Stay in the shade.
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
According to the CDC: "Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells. In the short term, this damage can cause a sunburn.
"Over time, UV damage adds up, leading to changes in skin texture, premature skin aging, and sometimes skin cancer. UV rays also have been linked to eye conditions such as cataracts."
