Do letters like UPF and UV sound like alphabet soup? Here’s a glossary of skin protection terms: ABCD’s of melanoma.
Look for these warning signals during your monthly skin cancer self-exams.
"A” is for Asymmetry. Draw an imaginary line through your mole. Do both sides look alike? If not, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you see a dermatologist.
"B” is for Border. Check the outside edge of your mole. Are its edges sharp and easy to distinguish from the surrounding skin? If the edges look ragged or fuzzy, then schedule a trip to the dermatologist.
"C” is for Color. Examine the color of your mole. Is it the same all over or does it vary in shade, from dark brown to red or blue? If it does, then visit a dermatologist.
And "D” stands for Difference. Have any of your moles changed recently in size, shape or color? Have they suddenly become itchy? Does one look markedly different from the others? If so, then make an appointment with a dermatologist.
ù UVR (ultraviolet radiation) comprises longwave (UVA) and short-wave (UVB) rays. Both can penetrate glass and clothing. Their effects are cumulative, leading to skin cancer, skin aging and eye damage.
ù UV Index. Developed by the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency to forecast the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. Intensity levels vary from 1 to 11+ with the higher numbers indicating increased risk.
ù SPF or Sun Protection Factor numbers rate the protection provided by the various sunscreens. The higher the SPF number, the greater the degree of protection. (AP)
______ Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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