Brauer, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, said he was stunned.
“I told him, ‘You illustrate a very large part of men’s problem with skin cancer.’ ,” says Brauer, who practices dermatology in Purchase, New York.
In 2023, According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 97,610 cases of invasive melanoma are diagnosed in the United States. Of these, 58,120 are male and 39,490 are female. Of the 7,990 people who die from melanoma, 5,420 are men.
fast growing cancer, melanoma It can spread to blood vessels and lymph nodes and attack other organs, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Why are men more susceptible to melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer?
men’s skin May not retain antioxidants Just like women’s skin, it can increase the risk of skin cancer.others are female higher estrogen levels May provide skin protection. But men like Brauer’s patients show the effects of behavior.
Studies show that men tend to know less about skin cancer risk than women, resulting in: Rarely use sunscreen.
Dawn M. Holman, a behavioral scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: studied sunscreen use in the United States. “About half of women say they use sunscreen regularly when spending time outdoors on sunny days, while about a quarter of men use only one,” she says. . “And more than 40 percent of her men say they don’t use sunscreen when they’re in the sun.”
“Some men may actually view sunscreen use as a more feminine behavior.
Men are not informed about sun damage
Men tend to work and play outdoors more than women, says Ida Orengo, professor and dermatologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Waco, Texas.
Men also seem to know less about the risks of the sun. Survey of the American Academy of Dermatology About sun exposure and cancer risk.
Men are more likely to believe they get a healthy tan (all tans show the sun’s damage to the skin, Orengo says), and “base tan” protects you from the sun. It can (it doesn’t) and doesn’t give you skin cancer. skin between toes (you can).
Experts agree that one of the best ways to avoid skin cancer is to avoid the sun. But if you do spend time outdoors, protect yourself. Lotion, cream, stick, or spray sunscreens can be applied in a variety of ways. Find what you like and use it, says Orengo.
Make sure to cover any exposed skin, such as the ears and the back of the neck, says Holman. Reapply every 2 hours or when out of water or sweating. And if you’re a hairy guy, be sure to rub in your sunscreen carefully.
Holman adds that sunscreen alone isn’t enough. Stay in the shade as much as possible and wear a hat and sunglasses. You should also avoid the harshest rays of the sun.For mobile phone weather apps there is UV index, see it, Holman says. Avoid daytime outdoor activities with an index greater than 5. If it’s 11 or above, stay indoors.
Finally, consider UV protective clothing. “I’m a fan of sun protection clothing,” says Sarrob. “This equates to 50 SPF for him, and he doesn’t need to apply sunscreen all over most of his body, so he doesn’t need someone else to push his back.”
Another challenge for men is that melanoma often develops in areas that cannot be seen, such as the back and crown of the head. as a result, Men often miss changes in moles That is the hallmark of melanoma.that might explain why some research Men with partners have been shown to detect melanoma earlier and have healthier outcomes than single men.
Brauer says many male patients come in with “a pen all over their body.” Their wives and partners pay a lot of attention to them, which is great.
Dermatologists want to ensure you’re doing well rather than discovering melanoma too late. I will,” says Sarob. “And when it spreads through the body, we’re very bad at defeating it. That’s why early detection is key.”
One of the greatest risk factors for melanoma is previous sunburn.
“A single sunburn blister automatically puts you in the high-risk category,” says Salob. Also if he has blond or red hair, blue eyes, fair skin and more than 50 moles on his body. Believe it or not, a sunburn in his teenage years could be responsible for the skin cancer he develops in his 50s. With each burn, the risk increases.and according to Holman studymore than a third of Americans say they’ve been sunburned in the past year.
In addition, white men are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, black men are more likely to die Perhaps because their diagnosis tends to be at a later stage.
“When you get a sunburn, UV light enters your skin and damages the DNA in your skin cells,” says Orengo. You have to,’ and your immune system repairs the damage, which can happen many times until your immune system starts to naturally become less effective in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. If the DNA is degraded again, the immune system will be unable to repair it and the cancer will grow.”
See a dermatologist for an annual skin cancer test to ensure early detection.
In the meantime, check yourself out, Brauer. He recommends standing naked in front of a full-length mirror once a month. Scan his body, grab a hand mirror and check his back. Look for “what’s new, what’s strange, what’s weird,” says Brauer, and see your doctor if you find one.
ABCs to protect yourself from melanoma
The ABCDE Guide was developed by dermatologists to help patients identify melanoma on their bodies:
aSymmetry: Melanoma lesions are often oddly shaped
B.order: has irregular borders
C.olor: comes in different colors
D.Diameter: Usually 6mm wide, about the size of a pencil eraser.
picturevolving: changes quickly on the skin.
