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sex & Gender mattersThe latest findings on women-specific healthfrom the Society for Women’s Health ResearchBy Jennifer Wider, MDProtect yourself!Skin cancer is on the riseOver the past few decades, the incidence of melanoma,the deadliest form of skin cancer, hasincreased. Melanoma is now the most commoncancer in women between the ages of 25 and29, while skin cancer is the most common cancer amongboth men and women in the United States.Risk factorsThe risk factors for melanoma, according tothe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inAtlanta, Ga., include:• a family or personal history of skin cancer• lighter natural skin color• certain physical characteristics, including lightereyes and red or blonde hair color• a history of sunburns early in life• consistent sun exposure through work and play• many pre-existing molesResearchers have also uncovered the hiddendangers of tanning salons, which many morewomen use than men. Tanning salons uselights that give off rays that mimic naturalsunlight, so your skin is damaged justthe same.Prevention tipsThe best way to guard against skin cancer is to limityour sun exposure and avoid the sun during its peakhours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To prevent skin damage, theAmerican Academy of Dermatology recommends you:• Generously apply sunscreen with a sun protectionfactor (SPF) of at least 15 that offers broad-spectrumprotection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) andultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours,even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.• Use a lip balm with SPF protection. Lips are acommon area for precancerous growths.• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleevedshirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand,which reflect damaging rays.• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet thatincludes vitamin supplements.Melanoma is treatable if caught early—that’swhy it’s so important to be aware of the signs and tovisit a dermatologist regularly. WHT© 2008 Simon Wilkinson/GettyImages!Learn more!The Society for Women’s HealthResearch is a nonprofit research,education and advocacy organizationthat works to improve women’s healththrough sex-specific research,education and advocacy. For more ofthe latest news and research onwomen’s health, visit their Web siteat www.womenshealthresearch.org.Jennifer Wider, MD, is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research in Washington, D.C.www.womenshealthexperience.com