Just five sunburns in your lifetime are all it takes to double your risk for melanoma. By the age of 70, 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer. These cases are diagnosed at a rate of about 9,500 per day.
It’s never too late to take preventative steps to protect the skin from skin cancer. Does your dad do everything possible?
What Causes Skin Cancer?
Exposure to the sun is the leading reason skin cancer occurs. Sunlight contains UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. UVA is the most prevalent and gets into the middle layers of your skin. UVB doesn’t travel as far and only gets into the outer skin layers.
UVC rays are less likely to affect a person as they’re blocked by the earth’s ozone layer. But, some lamps and lightbulbs emit UVC radiation. If your dad has light technology designed to kill germs within his home, those are often UVC lamps or bulbs.
Companion Care at Home in Seminole FL
Not every mole or growth on your dad’s skin is cancerous. There are non-cancerous growths that may look like melanoma. Seborrheic keratosis is a scaly, waxy-looking growth that can be black in color. If your dad is worried about a growth on his skin, he should ask a doctor to look at it.
Your dad should ask his doctor about a visit with a dermatologist. If his insurance allows it, he should see a dermatologist to have his moles mapped, measured, and investigated for signs of unusual growth. Uneven edges or coloring can indicate problems. When caught early, it makes a big difference in successfully removing or treating skin cancer.
What If It Is Skin Cancer?
If your senior is diagnosed with skin cancer, the area of the skin will be removed and biopsied. He may want someone to accompany him to the doctor. If you can’t do it, make sure you’ve lined up companion care aides to take him.
Your dad needs to consider other times when he’s exposed to the sun. If he’s known to stop and talk to his neighbors while taking a walk, he’s in the sun. He needs to protect his skin.
Sitting in a car with the window open exposes his skin to the sun. Sitting on his deck or patio also puts him in the sun. He needs to wear a hat, wear protective clothing, and cover exposed skin with sunscreen.
When your dad goes outside to work in his gardens or take care of his yard, he needs to apply sunscreen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays is essential. An SPF of 35 or higher is optimal.
Even if he has an SPF of 50, he needs to reapply it every two hours. If he’s not likely to remember, hire companion care at home services to help him with skincare management and monitoring the time he spends outside.
His caregiver can join him outside, remind him to apply sunscreen, and bring him inside out of the sun as necessary. Call an agency to learn more about companion care at home.
Sources:
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Companion Care at Home in Seminole, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
