By Judy Rupp

Senior Resource Specialist

Location, location, location is the mantra of the real estate profession. But it’s a key concept for skin cancer. From 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will develop at least one skin cancer during their lifetime.

WHERE YOU LIVE--The closer you live to the equator, the higher your risk of skin cancer. The number one risk of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV rays come primarily from the sun but also from tanning beds.

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. Most often skin cancer develops on the skin that is exposed to the sun, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands and women’s legs. Skin cancer can occur on all parts of your body even those parts not exposed to sunlight; such as your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, soles of your feet and your genital area.

You can lower your risk by protecting yourself from the sun. Stay inside during the mid-day hours when UV rays are at their peak. Wear protective clothing and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your head, face and ears. Apply sun screen with an SPF or 15 or higher. Learn to recognize early warning signs. Skin cancer can be cured if it is found and treated early LOCATION—WHERE ON YOUR SKIN ARE CANCERS MOST LIKELY? For nonmelanoma skin cancers, risk is directly correlated with cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The more time you spend in the sun over your lifetime, the greater your risk. That’s why many skin cancers develop late in life.

Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms usually occur in sun exposure areas of your body, such as the face, scalp, ears, neck and hands. The Basal cell carcinoma may appear as: *A pearly or waxy bump; *A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion; or *A bleedingor scabbing sore that heals and returns.

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms occurs on sun exposed areas of your body, such your face, ears, hands, neck and face. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as: *A firm red nodule; *A flat lesion with a scaly crusted surface.

The basal cell and squamous carcinomas rarely kill. And when they spread, it is usually to nearby tissue. It’s important to remember that a nasty skin cancer on your nose or ears can usually be removed by may leave a nasty scar.

LOCATION—HOW ABOUT MELANOMA? For melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor. Frequent severe sunburns, particularly in youth, may pose a greater danger than cumulative exposure over a lifetime. As a result, the location of the cancer is not quite so easy to pinpoint.

Nevertheless, about one third of melanomas occur on the neck. For men, that is a particularly likely area, along with the upper back, chest and anywhere on the trunk. For women, the most common melanoma sites are the lower legs, upper back and arms.

In addition, there are numerous unexpected sites where melanoma sites can occur. The area between buttock is asite that rarely sees the light of day. Yet it’s also a site that must be checked for melanoma. Both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma may also appear on lips, inside of the mouth, nasal passages and genital tissues. Other locations include the soles of the feet, the palms of the hand and the nail beds.

Melanoma signs include. *A large brownish spot with darker speckles; *A mole that changes in color, size, feel or that bleeds; *A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, blue or blue-black; *A painful lesion that itches or burns; *Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus.

All skin cancers, even melanoma, are curable if detected and removed at an early stage. So, it’s important to examine your skin on a regular basis and learn to recognize the signs. As one dermatologist put it, “There are many lesions on your skin. Most are harmless. The cancer is usually the guy on the block who appears out of the blue and doesn’t quite fit in with the others.”

Map out all of the neighborhoods of your body and try to keep track of the spots, freckles, moles and other lesions. When a new one appears or if there is a change in an old one, it’s time to take action.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Web MD Skin CancerThe Senior Resource Program is located at 445 Fairview, Suite 102, in Ponca City. The telephone number is 580-382-9099. A direct email is Seniorresourcespc@outlook.com The Senior Resource Programis supported by the Clark Gerontology Fund, RSVP of Kay County, United Way of Ponca City and the Community Health Foundation of Ponca City. There is no charge for any of our services.