Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
The Tides Inn pool at sunset.
As the calendar turns and the air warms, the siren song of the outdoors becomes impossible to ignore. We trade heavy coats for sleeveless dresses, shorts and swimsuits and dim offices for sun-drenched patios. But while we’re busy soaking up the Vitamin D, another, more silent guest is joining the party: peak ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Spring and summer aren't just seasons of renewal; they are the high-stakes months for skin health. With the sun climbing higher in the sky, its rays become more direct and potent, turning a casual afternoon hike or a morning at the beach into a high-exposure event. It’s during these long, golden hours that the risk of sunburn spikes, and with it, the long-term threat of melanoma.
The danger isn’t just in the intensity of the heat, but in our own habits. We stay out longer, wear less clothing and often forget that even a "healthy glow" is, in reality, the skin’s cry for help. Protecting yourself doesn’t mean hiding in the dark, but it does mean being sun-smart—treating high-SPF sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats as essential gear, not optional extras.
MedStar Health recently conducted a survey to learn more about skin cancer awareness, with shocking results:
About half of adults have never had a skin check.
•Adults over 45 are more likely to have never gotten a skin check (50%) vs. those under 45 (44%)
Melanoma awareness is very low, which is alarming since melanoma has the highest risk of death:
• 58% of adults are unaware that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer
• 83% of adults are unaware that melanoma can become life threatening in six weeks
• Just 16% of adults can identify all five signs that indicate a mole may be cancerous
Melanoma facts
• Melanoma is the most invasive skin cancer with the highest risk of death
• About 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles, but the majority start in normal skin
• Melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, but causes the majority of skin cancer-related deaths
• Melanomas have a 99% cure rate if caught in the earliest stages
• Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young people under 30, especially in young women
All of the above facts stress just how essential skin checks are for prevention and treatment of melanoma.
As you prepare for a season of sun-soaked memories, remember that the best tan is the one you didn't get, and the most important accessory you'll wear this summer is your skin.
