Serious athletes try to protect their bodies. They eat right, get proper conditioning and take steps to prevent injuries. But they might not always be so disciplined about protecting their skin from the sun when they head out on the field.
That's a problem, since avoiding sunburn and practicing sun safety is the single most important step you can take to prevent skin cancer, said Suraj Venna, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of the Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center. Inova is the official hospital network and sports medicine partner of the Washington Nationals, and a leader in bringing personalized care to people throughout the Washington, D.C., metro area and beyond.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer -- and it's becoming a bigger problem. Melanoma rates in the United States doubled from 1982 to 2011, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. While it's still more commonly diagnosed in middle and older age, rates are also rising among young people, Venna said.
Sun Safety: Plan Ahead to Protect Your Skin
When you're out on the field day after day, you can't avoid the sun. Luckily, you can protect your skin from damage:
ABCDE: Warning Signs of Melanoma
Untreated, melanoma can spread through the body and eventually become life-threatening. The sooner you spot it, the better the odds of a good outcome.
"If [a cancerous mole is] caught early, treatment can be a simple outpatient procedure," Venna said. "But if melanoma is not identified in early stages, the patient is faced with some tough decisions about treatment."
Cancerous moles and skin lesions most commonly appear on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head and neck. Remember these warning signs to spot problems early:
You practice hard and play hard -- but with a bit of planning, reducing your risk of skin cancer can be one of the easiest things you do each day.