Posted September 12, 2016By Lisa Jacobs, MD

The sun is one of the staples of the Caribbean. It feels nice and warm against your skin, but too much exposure can result in more than a healthy glow. Overexposure to the sun can lead to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. According to the Bermuda National Tumour Registry, in 2012, Bermudians developed melanoma at a rate 6% higher than Americans.

Melanoma is a tumor that forms in the cells that give colour to the skin. For most people, it starts as a new mole, or it may be an old mole that changes. To determine if a mole could be a melanoma, look out for the ABCD signs:

A – Asymmetry: The mole is not round, or if you cut it in half, the two sides would not match.

B – Border: The border is irregular and difficult to define.

C – Colour: The mole is black or brown, or there is an uneven distribution of colour.

D – Diameter: A mole that increases in size may be suspicious.

Cancerous moles may vary in appearance. If you find one with some of these characteristics, you should see a doctor. If left untreated, melanoma can spread quickly to the lungs, the liver or the brain. Although people with fair skin are more at risk, everyone should take the necessary steps to prevent the dangerous consequences of sun overexposure.

Step 1: Avoid sunburns at all costs.

The consequences of sun exposure can be seen over time. According to the U.S. Skin Cancer Foundation, one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life. The risk also doubles if someone has had five or more sunburns at any age. Tanning beds are also out of the question. Studies have shown that indoor tanning increases a person’s risk of getting skin cancer.

Protection from the sun can be achieved by using sunscreen, limiting exposure and covering your skin with clothing — wearing a wide-brimmed hat covering your face and ears, and lightweight, long-sleeve clothes.

Step 2: Remember to apply and reapply sunscreen.

In general, sunscreens have ultraviolet light protection and block the sun’s dangerous rays. Sunscreens with a 30 SPF (sun protection factor) provide adequate sun protection. However, for the sunscreen to be effective, you need to apply it liberally before you go out in the sun. If you see your skin turning red or if you are getting a tan, you did not apply it correctly or did not use enough. It is crucial to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and reapply after swimming or if you are perspiring after sports or exercise.

Step 3: Follow the early morning/late afternoon rule.

The best times of the day to not get a sunburn are in the early morning and late afternoon. So avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., since these are the hours with the highest risk of sun exposure. You are still subject to ultraviolet light radiation on cloudy days and should use sun protection.

Step 4: Check yourself.

A head-to-toe self-examination is the only way to find if you have any new or pre-existing moles that may show the ABCD signs. If you spot a suspicious skin lesion, talk to your doctor. If found and removed early, skin cancer may be curable.

Content courtesy of Lisa Jacobs, M.D., associate professor of surgery and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The content was reproduced with permission of the office of Marketing and Communications for Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Additional reuse and reprinting is not allowed. The information aims to educate readers and is not a substitute for consultation with a physician.