dermatologist · Leanda Cave · melanoma · skin cancer ·

Summer is here! Now go see your dermatologist...

 

 

 

There's nothing quite like the feeling of warm, summer sun on your skin. Add a slight breeze, a blanket in the grass, and a picnic with friends...it doesn't get any better. 

But summer rays have a dark side, and those of us who spend time training, racing, or playing in the sun know that it comes with a catch. Those delectable hours passed on warm summer days could be one step closer to skin cancer if you don't take the proper precautions.


The MRF recently partnered with IRONMAN to provide free skin cancer screenings at IRONMAN races, which revealed some shocking data. They found that the rate of skin cancer occurrence in the triathlon population was about 3x higher than normal, and they were able to detect dozens of skin cancers on athletes who were seeing a dermatologist for the first time.The triathlon community witnessed the impact of sun on their sport first-hand when four-time IRONMAN World Champion Leanda Cave was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2013 at the age of 35. 

Now is the time to call up your dermatologist and make an appointment for a full-body exam. If you don't have a dermatologist, it's time to find one. Why should you care? Because melanoma is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S. and worldwide, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation. But it's not all bad news--there is a silver lining. The MRF reports that "nearly 90% of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight" which means that they are very preventable.

So while we all look forward to those delightful summer days, we remind you to do so responsibly. Here's what you need to do in 3 easy steps!

Step 1: #getnaked ... book an appointment with a dermatologist.

Step 2: Load up on Zealios Sun Barrier SPF 45!

Step 3: Read this list of sun-savvy tips from Dr. Monica Scheel, a Hawaii-based dermatologist and triathlete.

 

For more information, visit the Melanoma Research Foundation's Melanoma Fact Sheet.
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