Sunscreen, hats, and limiting the time you spend in the sun can help, but the best way to protect yourself against skin cancer is early detection. When detected early, about 90 percent of skin cancers can be successfully treated and cured. Get checked at Potomac Hospital’s annual Skin Cancer Screening:

Saturday, April 25
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Potomac Center, First Floor (next to Potomac Hospital)

To register, call Potomac Hospital’s Health Connection at (703) 221-2500.

Since skin cancer can be effectively treated if detected early, self-examination of the skin is crucial. Scrutinize those areas of your skin that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck, hands, ears and scalp. Most skin cancers develop on the head and neck. Use a mirror to check areas you can’t see, and ask your physician to perform a total-body exam with each routine checkup. Early detection is important even if you haven’t been in the sun for a while – if you frequented the beach or tennis court as a youth, you’re still at risk decades later.

This page was last updated on July 13, 2010