ORLANDO, Fla. – The Central Florida forecast for the next few days calls for sunshine, but enjoying nature also means protecting yourself.
A new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology reveals that more than one-third of adults got a sunburn last year which is the highest number since 2020.
Research shows sunburns damage the skin, and even one blistering burn during childhood can increase the risk of developing melanoma later in life.
You may not realize it, but melanoma is on the rise, according to skin surgeon Dr. Michael McPhee.
He says it’s time to check those freckles, age spots and moles, just in case.
“It’s a significant problem in central Florida, one reason is because of the amount of UVA exposure that we’re receiving in this area which increases the incidences for melanoma,” said McPhee, who owns the Melanoma Clinic in Winter Park.
McPhee says skin cancer can be deadly but is preventable. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and Monday is “Melanoma Monday.”
McPhee recommends looking for any new or changing spots or moles on your body.
You can also get regular testing which might set you back a few hundred dollars.
“There may be a price to be paid for having a biopsy but the reverse of that would be, ‘gosh if I didn’t get a biopsy now, I have to undergo a wider surgical resection, maybe lymph node biopsies, and god forbid immunotherapy,’” McPhee said.
The key is to detect melanoma as soon as possible. He also says new treatments are available if you are diagnosed with skin cancer.
“If you are diagnosed at least there are some treatments that are available nowadays that were not present 10 years ago. I think’s encouraging,” McPhee said.
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