Understanding the risks of skin cancer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It affects approximately 4.3 million American adults each year. There are two major groups of skin cancer: keratinocyte, of which basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common within this group, and melanoma.

Skin cancer is most prevalent among older white men, but it can strike anyone. If you spend time outdoors, you are potentially at risk. However, some additional risk factors can make skin cancer more likely to occur:

• Fair skin
• Green or blue eyes
• Sun-sensitive skin
• Numerous moles
• Personal or family history of skin cancer
• Older age

What you need to know about sunburns

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a single blistering sunburn, or a lifetime total of five mild to moderate sunburns, can double your chances of developing skin cancer. Sunburn facts that might surprise you include:

• While fair skin is most likely to burn, darker skin does not automatically confer protection
• Even a mild pink sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer
• You can burn even on a cloudy day, as approximately 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate through clouds
• Tanning is your body’s way of protecting you against sunburn, but it is still a type of skin damage
• Skin will burn fastest on days with a high UV index, but it can still burn on low UV index days

Although it raises your skin cancer risks over time, it is generally not a medical emergency if you do get a sunburn. You can treat most sunburns at home with the following steps:

• Cool the skin: Take a quick dip in the pool or a short cooling bath or shower. Use cold compresses to continue the cooling process, but don’t stay in the water too long to avoid drying out the skin.
• Moisturize: Apply a light moisturizer while the skin is still damp, but avoid oil-based products, which can trap heat. Reapply daily throughout the healing process.
• Treat the inflammation: Unless you are medically unable to take them, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. You can also use aloe vera or over-the-counter cortisone cream to soothe your skin.
• Up your water consumption: Burns pull fluid to the surface of your skin, making it easy to get dehydrated. Drink plenty of cool water or sports drinks throughout the healing process.
• Don’t pick: It can be tempting to pick at a peeling sunburn. But peeling is part of the healing process. Picking at a sunburn can cause further damage while also increasing the risk of infection.

If you see signs of infection, feel dizzy or confused, or have severe blistering over much of your body, seek medical help right away. Otherwise, continue to apply home treatments until your burn is well healed. Be sure to protect your skin anytime you go outside, or you could worsen the damage.

Skin Cancer Awareness: Top Protection Strategies

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to help protect your skin and minimize the risk of developing skin cancer.

Timing

The sun’s rays are the most intense between 10 am and 4 pm. Whenever possible, plan your outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon. You’ll still need to protect your skin, but indirect rays are better than direct. You’re also less likely to overheat if you avoid direct sun exposure.

Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving home, even on cloudy days. Choose a broad-spectrum product with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. Don’t forget the tops of your feet and the back of your neck. Reapply at least every three hours, even if the sunscreen is water repellent or you don’t go in the water.

Skin-protective clothing

You may want to shed clothing to stay cool when it’s hot out. But this leaves your skin at risk. Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, the more barriers you can put between your skin and the sun’s rays, the better. Choose long sleeves and pants in a high-tech fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher. In light, loosely woven fabrics, you’ll feel cooler, but dark, tight weaves offer additional protection. Note that clothing will do little to protect you if it gets wet.

Shelter

Whenever possible, put some shelter between yourself and the direct sun. You can carry a parasol, seek shade under a tree, or even rest in the shadow of a building. It won’t protect you fully, so you’ll still need sunscreen. But staying out of the direct sun is always a smart idea.

Head, lip, and eye protection

Your head, lips, and eyes are at risk for sun damage, but you can’t slather sunscreen onto these areas. You can protect your head with a wide brimmed hat. Choose a tightly woven fabric for the best protection.

For your lips, choose a lip balm that contains sunblock. You’ll find them at every price point, both in stores and online. You may need to try a few to find your favorite, as they can vary widely in texture, consistency, and taste.

Protect your eyes with wraparound UV-blocking sunglasses. Look for glasses marked either 100% UV protection or UV 400, both of which indicate that they block both UVA and UVB rays.

A note on tanning beds

Some people claim that tanning beds are safer than sun exposure because the amount of UV light is closely monitored. This may or may not be true, but any UV exposure at all puts you at risk for skin damage and increases your chances of developing skin cancer. If you want to safely tan your skin, consider a spray tan or bronzing cream instead.

Monthly skin self-exams

It’s essential to have your skin checked once a year by a dermatologist. But since skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early, it’s also a smart idea to perform a monthly skin self-exam. Using both a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, carefully check your entire body for any new or unusual bumps, rashes, or other conditions. Take a good look at any new moles, and check existing moles for any changes.

A healthy mole may be raised or flat, and either oval or round in shape. It will be an even tan, brown, or black in color. A suspicious mole is irregularly shaped and may appear jagged. It will also have a mosaic appearance, with multiple colors or shades.

Though skin cancer is very treatable, prevention is always the best choice. Contact your dermatologist as soon as possible if you notice any significant changes to your skin. Otherwise, continue to practice skin safety every time you go outside, from applying sunscreen to seeking shade.

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Common men’s health conditions

A combination of unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor health education, and other factors may raise men’s risks for certain health conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

• Heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading killer of men in the United States, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths.
• Lung conditions. The CDC notes that while lung cancer affects both men and women, the diagnosis is more likely in men. Other lung conditions, such as emphysema, may also be more likely in men.
• According to research published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, while women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, men are far more likely to die by suicide.
• Substance abuse. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry also notes that most substance abuse disorders occur in men.
• Kidney stones. According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 1 in 10 Americans will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime. And men are at higher risk than women.

Essential men’s health screenings

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare, or the ACA) requires insurers to cover essential health screenings at no charge. You can get these screenings free from any doctor within your network, even if you have not yet met your deductible. Here are the criteria for each check.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: Men aged 65 to 75 who are current or former smokers
• Alcohol misuse screening: Everyone
• Blood pressure check: All adults over age 18
• Cholesterol screening: Based on your risk profile
• Colorectal cancer screening: Everyone aged 45 to 75
• Depression screening: Everyone
• Type 2 Diabetes check: All overweight or obese adults between 40 and 70 years old
• Hepatitis B screening and vaccine: Anyone considered high risk
• Hepatitis C screening: Everyone aged 18 to 79
• HIV screening: Everyone aged 15 to 65, plus anyone else at increased risk
• Lung cancer screening: Ages 50 to 80 who are heavy smokers or have quit in the past 15 years
• Obesity check: Everyone
• Syphilis screening: Anyone at high risk
• Tobacco use screening: Everyone
• Tuberculosis screening: Everyone at high risk

Depending on your age and clinical profile, your doctor may recommend certain preventive measures that are also covered as essential health benefits. These include, but are not limited to, statin medications or HIV preventatives.

Regular doctor visits are the best way to ensure that you remain healthy and fit throughout your life. In general, most healthy adult men should see a primary care physician once per year (along with additional visits if you get sick). If you have a chronic medical condition, your doctor may want to see you more often until your condition is well-controlled and stable.

Nutritional needs for men

In addition to doctor’s visits, proper nutrition and exercise can also help you stay fit. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, men aged 19 to 30 generally need about 2,400 to 3,000 calories per day, while those aged 31 to 59 need around 2,200 to 3,000. Men aged 60 and above need fewer calories, at about 2,000 to 2,600 per day. However, these are just averages. You can get more specific recommendations for your unique circumstances at the USDA’s MyPlate Plan.

Besides eating the right number of calories, getting the right nutritional balance is also important. You’ll need to learn what is considered a portion of each type of food. You’ll also need to understand how many portions of each type you need each day (found in the Dietary Guidelines above). And be sure to eat the rainbow! Different colors of fruits and vegetables contain various micronutrients essential to health.

Also, remember to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can be miserable at best and life-threatening at worst. You’ll need at least 8 glasses of water per day. If you’re exercising or working outside in the heat, aim for 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. It’s better to drink small amounts regularly than large quantities all at once. If you start feeling dizzy or nauseous in the heat, get into the air conditioning, or at least into the shade. Sit down and drink a few sips of water at a time.

Physical exercise for men

You can get physical exercise in various ways, even if you don’t like the gym. Men of all ages should aim for at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity each week, spread across several days. This includes at least two days of strength training. Those aged 65 or over should include balance exercises as part of their routine.

Moderate exercise runs the gamut from recreational swimming and biking across flat terrain to yardwork, auto repair, or even playing with your kids or grandkids. Vigorous exercise, or cardio, includes anything that gets your heart rate up, such as shoveling snow, hiking or biking uphill, or even walking with a weighted backpack.

Balance exercises could include anything from ballroom dancing to walking backward. The point is to improve your steadiness on your feet and reduce your risk of falling.

Always check with your doctor before starting any new fitness routine, especially if you are over age 65 or have any underlying health conditions. Consider working with a physical therapist if you have a chronic illness, disability, or pain issue. These professionals have the specialized training and experience to design a customized fitness plan that improves your physical abilities while reducing pain.

The post Men’s Health Month: A Complete Guide to Men’s Health appeared first on EHE Health.