Posted July 8, 2012
Here are more reasons to do regular checks of your skin for cancer risks: Melanoma rates in young women have skyrocketed. A Mayo Clinic study found they’ve increased eightfold from 1970 to 2009. The June issue of Women’s Health magazine, published by Rodale, points out some risk factors you should look out for:
A BLISTERING SUNBURN
Just one in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life. And even five mild sunburns over the course of your life can also double the risk.
TANNING-BED USE
Indoor tanners — both past and present — are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never used a tanning bed. They also have a 69-percent increased risk for early-onset basal cell carcinoma.
FAIR SKIN OR LIGHT EYES
Pale women have less melanin, the skin’s natural sun protection. Those with baby-blue or green eyes are also more prone to skin cancer, especially ocular and eyelid melanomas, than women with deep-brown irises.
LIVING IN A SUNNY OR HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA
Tropical climates expose you to strong ultra-violet radiation year-round. As for altitude, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, you increase your ultra-violet exposure 4 to 5 percent.
Info: http://www.womenshealthmag.com.
©2012 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
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