Scottsdale Seniors Take Action Against Sunny Spring Temperatures And Bright Sunshine
How common is melanoma skin cancer in AZ seniors?
Cancer of the skin is by far one of the most common of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.The American Cancer Society estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2019 are:
- About 96,480 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 57,220 in men and 39,260 in women).
- About 7,230 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 4,740 men and 2,490 women).
- The rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years.
Melanoma is more than 20 times more common in whites than in African Americans. Overall, the lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 2.6% (1 in 38) for whites, 0.1% (1 in 1,000) for blacks, and 0.58% (1 in 172) for Hispanics. The risk for each person can be affected by a number of different factors, which are described in the Risk Factors for Melanoma Skin Cancer.
The risk of melanoma increases as people age. The average age of people when it is diagnosed is 63. But melanoma is not uncommon even among those younger than 30. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults (especially women).
Please visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key statistics.
Source: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
BrightStar Care of Scottsdale recommends the following to senior elderly individuals to protect themselves against the changing seasons and higher exposures to outdoor sunlight this Spring:
Protect Your Skin! More sun exposure can be great as your body converts sun rays into vitamin D, however, UV radiation can also increase your risk for developing skin cancer.
Apply sunscreen with an SPF 30+ to your body when spending time outdoors; and wear protective clothing and accessories like long-sleeve shirts, hats, and sunglasses. Remember to stick with light, breathable materials like cotton that won’t overheat you.
BrightStar Care of Scottsdale provides a full continuum of in home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.
To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Arizona families and businesses – Click Here
Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/greater-scottsdale