HHS HealthBeat (April 24, 2012)

The light sheds on melanoma

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

We all need Vitamin D for our skin health, but in moderation. A study finds that young people, especially women, may be spending too much time in the sun, or any time in the tanning bed, because they’re getting skin cancer more often. In the last 40 years, women under 40 years have been diagnosed with melanoma eight times more frequently; men four times as much. But there’s good news.

Dr. Jerry Brewer is at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

“Even if you do get, if you find it early enough and have it treated properly, you can survive it.” (4 seconds)

There’s more good news. Treatment has improved as cases have gone up. Early detection is key.

“See a dermatologist. That could save your life.” (2 seconds)  

The study in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: April 24, 2012