Men's Health: Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection

Your ears, lips and nose are the biggest problem areas when it comes to skin cancer, especially in men over the age of 50. The reasons? Damaging sun exposure and lack of preventive screenings.

The Problem

By age 70, one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer. And while men and women are both at risk, men are statistically more affected.

The Facts

• By age 65, men are twice as likely as females in the same age group to develop melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer
• By age 80, this figure jumps to 30%, making men 3 times as likely as women their age to develop melanoma

Expert Advice

Watch Brian M. Matthys, DO, chief medical officer, Sunflower Dermatology & Spa, talk about skin cancer and how to prevent it.

Preventive Measures

Applying sunscreen before heading outside may seem like it’s enough, but it’s often not. Follow these tips to protect your skin from sun damage.

• Apply SPF 30 or higher daily
• Wear a hat with at least a 6-inch brim, protecting your ears and neck when outside for an extended period
• Conduct a skin assessment monthly, keeping an eye out for noticeable changes in your skin
• Get screened by a dermatologist
  • If you have moles, a weakened immune system or a genetic predisposition, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer and should get screened once a year
  • Men over the age of 50 should visit a dermatologist annually

Read more about skin cancer prevention.