FEATURE: The Skin Cancer Epidemic Part III By Sherrif Ibrahim,
MD, PhD This is the third article in a series about skin cancer.
In the first installment we discussed the three main types of
skin cancer and the risk factors for their development. In the
second piece, we discussed approaches for treating skin cancer,
with particular focus on Mohs surgery and how it is the
treatment of choice for a large percentage of cancers. In this
article, we will discuss issues that revolve around the
prevention of skin cancer. It is important to stress that while
the cure rate for the majority of skin cancers is high, the best
treatment is still prevention. Sun exposure remains the biggest
risk factor for the development of almost all cases of skin
cancer, and it is something that is largely preventable. While
it is impossible to completely avoid sun exposure over the
course of your life, understanding how to be smart about sun
protection can greatly reduce your chances for having a
suspicious growth appear on your skin or