By Elizabeth Siegel, Allure
It's Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and there's a whole new way to get involved. We know, it's not how you were planning on starting your Monday. But there are some important things about skin cancer you may not know: For starters, it's more common than you probably think.
[post_ads]One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer within their lifetime, and it's the second most common form of cancer among women in their 30s (after breast cancer). "But [unlike breast cancer], skin cancer is largely preventable," says Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology, genetics, and genomic research at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Marmur, a skin-cancer survivor herself, is teaming up with the American Association of Dermatologists to launch a new initiative called Skin Cancer: Take a Hike. "I'm climbing Mount Kilimanjaro along with a team of friends, family, and skin-cancer survivors to raise awareness and funds for preventing skin cancer," she says. The money raised will support Spot Skin Cancer, an education and advocacy project that, among other activities, funds the construction of shade structures (they're exactly what they sound like) around the world, including in developing countries where access to sunscreen may be limited. To find out more, click here.
RELATED LINKS:
