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10 Cancer Myths Debunked

1. I am not at risk to get skin cancer because my routine doesn't include any outdoor activities.

False. Dermatologists find that brief sun exposures throughout the year can add up to significant damage for people with fair skin. These brief moments can include driving with the sunroof open or walking around outdoor shopping centers during peak sun hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – which exposes your skin to damaging UV rays. i

These cumulative, everyday exposures are linked to squamous cell cancer. Though not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous cell cancer is believed to cause up to 20 percent of skin cancer deaths.ii Limiting sun exposure is an important measure to take as both direct and indirect UV rays damage the skin and can lead to skin cancer. Window film provides protection by limiting harmful UV rays whether at home, work or on the road.

man and woman driving in car at sunset with sunroof open
woman with eyes closed inside of a tanning bed

2. A tanning bed is safer than UV rays from the sun.

False. Exposure to the ultraviolet light from tanning beds can impact the skin in a variety of ways – including wrinkles, sun spots or freckles.iii And for one in every five Americans, this exposure can lead to skin cancer. The use of tanning beds and sun lamps is hazardous because the UV radiation they deliver can damage your skin. Dermatologists highly recommend not using tanning beds and sun lamps. There is growing evidence they may increase your risk of developing melanoma.

If you are seeking a tanned appearance, consider sunless tanning products.

3. People who tan easily and rarely burn will not get cancer.

False. There is no such thing as a healthy suntan. Any change in your natural skin color is a sign of skin damage. Evidence suggests tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. The increase in skin pigment called melanin, which causes your skin to tan, is a sign of damage. Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.iv

Every time your skin color changes after sun exposure, your risk of developing sun-related ailments increases.v The sun’s rays, called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays), damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems. Over time, being in the sun often – even if you don’t burn – can lead to skin cancer.vi

woman with water drops and sun rays showing in her tanned back
Darker skinned man and woman dressed in white sun hats with holding a map and camera on a sunny afternoon

4. Dark-skinned men and women are not at risk for sun damage and skin cancer.

False. Though naturally dark people have a much lower risk of skin cancer than fair-toned people, this does not make them immune to skin cancer. Darker skinned men and women should still take action to protect their skin and eyes from overexposure to the sun as they can still develop malignancies and suffer all forms of UV damage.vii

In addition, cases of skin cancer in people with darker skin are often not detected until later stages, when it is more dangerous.viii

5. If you have a funny-looking or suspicious mole, your doctor can always cut it off before it turns cancerous.

False. Sometimes what people may perceive as an annoying sore that won’t go away – or a mole that has changed in size or color – is really something more serious and possibly an early form of skin cancer. Since only a physician can determine whether an area of the skin is cancerous, a visit to a dermatologic surgeon should be scheduled if any abnormal moles are discovered.

An annual skin cancer screening is necessary to identify cancer in its early stages. The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads is almost 100 percent.ix

close up of mans neck with his finger pointing to a mole
sandy beach with dark clouds forming in the sky

6. You don’t need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day.

False. It is a common myth that you can’t get sunburned on a cloudy day; this is simply not the case. Even under cloud cover, it is possible for the sun to harm your skin and eyes and cause long-term damage.

It is important that you protect yourself with sunscreen, even in cloudy weather.x

7. As long as you apply your sunscreen every day, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing or how much you put on.

False. Your sunscreen protection may be lower than the labeled protection level if you:

  1. Do not apply enough sunscreen (one ounce or a shot glass-sized amount for your body and one tablespoon for your face).
  2. Apply it incorrectly.
  3. Do not reapply it every two hours.

When you participate in moderate outdoor activities such as jogging or are outside on a very hot day, the heat from your activity and surroundings can increase the sensitivity of your skin. Because the protection afforded by sunscreen begins to wear off after lengthy exposure to the sun, and sunscreen rubs off with normal activity, it needs to be reapplied at least every two hours.

UV damage accumulates over your lifetime. Using sunscreen can reduce the accumulation of chronic UV damage that is linked to non-melanoma skin cancer and aging. Today’s sunscreen is available in all different types (e.g., lotion, spray, powder) and formulations, having greatly improved over the thick and greasy substance you may remember. It is easier than ever to give yourself and your family the added protection.v

woman at beach with tied bikini and the abbreviation SPF?? written on her back as if it were sunscreen
group of diverse teenage girls taking a selfie in a fenced in back yard

8. Teenagers and young people don’t have to worry about skin cancer. It only affects older adults.

False. Skin cancer can affect anyone. Monthly self-exams are strongly recommended to supplement annual skin cancer screenings with a board certified dermatologist. When people regularly check their skin for suspicious moles or lesions, they can save their own lives. Look for sores that do not heal or any changes in the number, size, shape or color of spots on your skin. Pay special attention to moles that have recently changed, bleed or itch. Contact a local board certified dermatologist sooner than your annual appointment if you find something worrisome.

9. Only UVB radiation can cause skin damage.

False. Both UVA and UVB cause sunburns and damage skin, possibly leading to skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that provides protection from both, called “broad-spectrum.”x

sun with sun flares and white clouds in a blue sky
man and woman bundled up in hats and long coats on a snow walk next to a lake and tress

10. I ski, snowboard and am outside a lot, but I don’t need to wear sunscreen because it’s winter.

False. While it is true that the sun’s intensity is lower during the winter, snow reflects the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn or damage to your skin.xi

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