skin cancer
- BeautyLeah Prinzivalli
Men now have a higher rate of skin cancer deaths than women — here's why
One dermatologist suggests teaching young boys about the dangers of sun exposure and getting men accustomed to wearing a moisturizing sunscreen on a daily basis, like many women already do.
- Pop CultureKerry Justich
Skin cancer survivor told to leave store because of his disfigured face: 'We're human beings'
A South Carolina man has survived skin cancer, but he’s still having to deal with people treating him differently because of his disfigurement.
- LifestyleWitney Carson as told to Linda Childers
'I never should have used tanning beds': ‘DWTS’ star Witney Carson on being diagnosed with melanoma at 22
'DWTS' star Witney Carson shares her journey with skin cancer — and how she now makes sure to keep her skin safe.
- WellnessAbby Haglage
Elle Macpherson says sitting in the sun daily 'works wonders' — but dermatologists disagree
In the most recent issue of New Beauty, the 54-year-old supermodel admitted that she "lives in the sun" each day.
- WellnessKorin Miller
This is why some people wear gloves (yes, gloves) in the pool
Actress Kristen Bell recently did something that’s pretty jaw-dropping: She wore gloves in the pool.
- WellnessTanya Edwards
Jessie James Decker is getting mom-shamed for her daughter's suntan
Country singer and reality star Jesse James Decker stirred up some questions about her parenting skills when she posted her 4-year-old daughter with a deep suntan.
- WellnessHope Schreiber
Facebook users swear by this sunburn hack that uses a product most men have in their medicine cabinets
The cure will help ease the burning sensation in just 30 minutes.
- LifestyleBlair Raynor
Olympian Summer Sanders gets personal about melanoma and the importance of skin checks
Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders tells skin cancer to “take a hike” several years after being diagnosed with melanoma.
WellnessBrittany Jones-CooperThis 'ugly duckling' marking could signal the deadliest skin cancer
Over the past decade, people have gotten more serious about sun protection and for one very good reason — melanoma. From 1982 to 2011 rates of melanoma in the U.S. doubled, and the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 90,000 new cases in 2018. While it isn’t the most common type of skin cancer, it is the most serious.
- LifestyleYahoo Lifestyle Videos
Olympic Gold Medalist Summer Sanders tells skin cancer to ‘take a hike’
When Olympic Gold Medalist and TV Host Summer Sanders went in for a routine dermatologist appointment, the last thing she expected was to get a call the following day. “The first thing that the person said on the other end of the phone was that, ‘You have a severely atypical malignant melanoma,’” she reveals to Yahoo Lifestyle. I think the only word I sort of knew was ‘malignant,’ and I knew it wasn’t good.” Growing up in California, Sanders lived out every child's fantasy - having unlimited access to a backyard swimming pool. But unlike most kids her age, she was never one to spend hours in the sun tanning. Instead, she was swimming laps up to two and a half hours, twice a day, training for what was soon to be her triumphant Olympic career. “I wore sunscreen on every vacation, but what I didn’t do is I did not associate sunscreen with training,” Sanders says. “I was always naturally really tan, so I felt like if I had a tan, that’s sort of like my built in sunscreen. What an idiot I was to think that was not sun damage,” she admits. Sanders wizened up at age 40 when her husband pointed out a new mole on the back of her calf, something – she points out - shouldn't happen with the over-forty crowd. The suspicious black spot turned out to be melanoma, which led to doctors excising an ice cream scoop-sized chunk out of her calf. “It’s very frightening when you learn about melanoma,” Sanders adds. She recalls her doctors telling her they wouldn’t know for another five years whether or not she was going to die. She explains there are three types of skin cancer – basil, squamous and melanoma, melanoma being the most severe. “I call her the ‘mama’ because she’s the mama of skin cancer,” she says. “It’s the killer.” But she adds that the earlier you can detect it, the better your chances are for survival. Surprisingly, Sanders’s journey with melanoma didn’t end there. Her doctors diagnosed her with three more melanomas, and she underwent three more excisions to remove them. Having been in the public eye as a TV host and Olympic champion, Sanders uses her platform to raise awareness about the effects of skin cancer. She targets young athletes and kids, imploring them to increase their sun protection so they don’t experience a fate similar to hers. She partners with several organizations, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, in hopes that sharing her story won’t fall on deaf ears. “I have this saying that every year on your birthday, check yourself out in your birthday suit, and find the [moles] that catch your eye,” she advises. “Just make your damn appointment people.”
- LifestyleAbby Haglage
Your complete guide to choosing the perfect summer sunscreen
A new report breaks down which sunscreens to use this summer — and which ones to avoid. Here's what you need to know.
LifestyleBrittany Jones-CooperWhat are the three types of skin cancer you should look for?
Skin cancer doesn’t always look the same, and there are three variations that can appear very differently on your skin.
- WellnessBrittany Jones-Cooper
Learning these melanoma ABC's could save your life
Over the past decade, people have gotten more serious about sun protection and for one very good reason — melanoma. From 1982 to 2011 rates of melanoma in the U.S. doubled, and the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 90,000 new cases in 2018. So what is melanoma? While it isn’t the most common type of skin cancer, it is the most serious. Melanoma develops from cells called melanocytes, which make the pigment that gives skin its color. These cells can also form moles, which are noncancerous growths of the skin. When melanocytes are damaged by exposure to UV light, mutations are triggered that turn the cell abnormal and cause it to multiply rapidly, forming cancerous tumors. Ultraviolet light exposure from the sun or tanning beds account for approximately 95 percent of melanoma cases. In addition to sun damage, there are other factors that could increase your chance of developing melanoma. Having a lot of moles puts you at a higher risk, and a family history can also play a part. About 10% of people who have melanoma have a family member with it too. Age is also a contributing factor. The average age for a melanoma diagnosis 63. Before age 50, the risk of developing melanoma is higher among women. After 50, men are at a greater risk. One common misconception is that melanoma and other skin cancers can occur only in people with fair skin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Research shows that Caucasians have a 1 in 38 lifetime risk of getting melanoma. But they aren’t alone. Approximately 1 in 172 Hispanics and 1 in 1,000 African-Americans will also get melanoma during their lifetime. In other words, anyone can be affected, and everyone needs to monitor moles that look abnormal. “If you notice a mole that’s new or changing, that’s something to look out for,” said dermatologist Samer Jaber. “Another thing to look for is if a mole is different from other moles on the body; it’s called an ugly duckling.” In addition to checking for these signs, Jaber also suggests that his patients remember the ABCDE guide to evaluate their moles. A is for Asymmetry. If you cut a mole in half, it should be even on both sides. B for Border. You don’t want moles that have jagged edges. C for Color. You want moles that are even in color. You don’t want moles that are black, white, blue, or pink. D for Diameter. You want moles that are smaller than a pencil eraser in size. E for Evolving. If you have a mole that’s changing, itching, burning, or bleeding, you should have it evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist. “If it’s caught early, a simple surgery is all you need to do,” said Jaber. "If it’s caught later, you may need an additional surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.” The key to prevention is to check your moles early and often. Melanoma is typically found on the chest, back, legs, neck, and face, so moles in these areas should receive extra attention. Limiting your exposure to the sun is also crucial. If you head outside, try to find a spot in the shade, wear a hat, throw on some sunglasses, and be sure to apply sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. If you want a tan, consider using a spray-tan product. Sure, you may not have that sun-kissed look you desire, but the peace of mind you’ll gain will feel even better.
- LifestyleRachel Grumman Bender
What it's like to have the deadliest form of skin cancer
Tracy Callahan, a mom of two, has faced multiple bouts of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. She hopes to motivate others to be sun smart so they won't have to face what she's been through.
