Whether mowing the lawn, reeling in fish, working on home projects or relaxing by the pool, men are often exposed to the sun’s damaging rays, and are not always appropriately protected.

 

It may be a key factor as to why skin cancer is now the number one cancer in men over age 50. While it is treatable if caught in time, more than 10,000 people die every year in the United States from skin cancer, usually melanoma.

 

The job often falls upon wives, mothers and daughters to make sure that the men in their lives are properly protected from excessive sun exposure and the health problems it can cause.

 

“You don’t have to hide from the sun to be safe,” says Patrick Feehan, MD, of Dermatology Associates of Lancaster. “We do encourage people to be ‘sun safe’ when they are outside.”

 

Wearing a total block sunscreen is the best way to protect skin from the sun’s rays, and should be “applied liberally and frequently.” Dr. Feehan recommends using sunblock rated at 30 SPF or greater and one that protects from both UVA and UVB rays.

 

Wearing a hat and appropriate clothing when outside is also important, and Dr. Feehan suggests that men seek shade whenever possible.

 

When skin cancer is caught in its early stages, it is treatable; and the earlier it’s caught, the less invasive the treatment.

 

“We can cure melanoma if we catch it early,” Dr. Feehan says. “Fortunately, we’re talking about skin, the largest, most visible organ of the body.”

 

Unusual spots and skin changes, such as persistent red patches and areas that itch or bleed, can signal a problem.

 

“Sometimes the signs are subtle,” Dr. Feehan says. That’s why skin cancer screenings are an invaluable way to catch a problem early. Talk to your doctor about scheduling a skin cancer screening with a dermatologist.

 

People at higher risk should schedule annual visits with a dermatologist. That includes people who have:

 

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While it accounts for about 5% of all cases of skin cancer, it is also responsible for about 80% of the deaths.

 

“The biggest problem we face is men not getting to us fast enough for treatment,” Dr. Feehan says. “If we can get them to pay more attention to their skin—with the help of their wives and families—we can win this battle.”