I’m Tori, the new member ambassador for the Wine Hiking Society. I was recently diagnosed with melanoma. With this blog post, I want to share my experience, create more awareness, and give some tips for keeping your skin safe this summer.
Skin cancer, or melanoma, is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Utah, in particular, has consistently ranked as one of the highest states in terms of melanoma incidences and mortality nationwide. This may be attributed to the state’s geographic features, such as high elevation and desert landscape, which can increase the risk of developing melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, excessive exposure to sunlight and UV radiation during work and recreation, as well as a history of sunburns early in life, significantly increases one’s risk for melanoma.
Because I have a family history of cancer, I monitor my skin very closely for changes and report any concerns to my dermatologist. In this case, I told my dermatologist about a new, fast-growing mole located on my eyelid that concerned me. Even though my doctor did not see anything visually “abnormal,” he heard my concerns and referred me to a specialist who practices a special technique that removes moles with limited scarring.
Within a week of removal, the specialist called and notified me that the pathology report came back with a positive finding of melanoma. Fortunately, the melanoma was in the very early stage and with another excision should be removed.
Like many of you reading this post, I love the outdoors! But this experience made me rethink my outdoor skincare routine. It also made me want to share a quick reminder for everyone of how important it is to protect our skin while also enjoying everything Utah has to offer us.
Here are 5 tips for keeping your skin safe:
- Tweak your agenda to avoid peak UV exposure (plan outdoor activities before 11am and/or after 4pm).
- Ensure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum with at least 30 SPF (broad spectrum protects against UVA and UVB radiation) and remember to reapply every two hours.
- Wear protective clothing (this includes long-sleeves and pants, hats that provide full coverage, and sunglasses).
- Monitor your skin (routinely check your skin for changes or irregular moles).
- Make time for routine dermatology visits (once a year, more if you are at higher risk of skin cancer).
Here are some products we recommend to protect your skin from the sun:
- EltaMD UV Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – This sunscreen is light weight and dries without leaving you feeling greasy. The EltaMD line has many options, including clear or tinted facial sunscreen.
- Sunscreen Lip Balm – This lip balm comes in tinted and mineral options.
- Neutrogena Daily Defense Sunscreen – This sunscreen is broad spectrum and weightless. The invisible technology allows for perfect application on any skin tone without leaving a layer of white film.
- REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie – Protective clothing offers more protection than sunscreen can provide us. Here is a Wine Hiking favorite from REI. Polyester and nylon do an excellent job at disrupting UV light to offer a great option for sun protection.
- UV Protection Foldable Sun Hat – This sun hat comes in several fun colors while also providing UV protection for your head and face.
- Blenders Polarized Sun wear – Polarized lenses give you added protection from direct sunlight as well as glare from water or snow.