2018 Issue 4 Jul/Aug - Focus Mid-South Magazine

indoor tanning as a group 1
carcinogen. As such, there is
a high link between indoor
tanning and skin cancer
rates. Previous studies largely
highlighted the rates of indoor
tanning among women.
However, when broken down by
sexual orientation, it is sexual
minority men who tan more
than other populations. These
men are over four times more
likely to tan than heterosexual
men, and slightly more likely to
tan than heterosexual women
(sexual minority women tan at
a lower rate than heterosexual
women, but at higher rate than
heterosexual men).
So why do sexual minority
men tan more frequently
than other groups? The
study’s authors suggest this
trend reflects high rates of
body dissatisfaction and the
tendency amongst those facing
social pressure to seek outlets
that reinforce self-esteem or
the perception of health. As
of 2015, little research existed
to build on this study either in
terms of indoor tanning usage
or additional causes of the
high skin cancer rate for sexual
minority men. In addition,
significant biases persist in the
medical community. However,
the study acknowledges this
while concluding that doctors
who do ask questions about
their patients’ sexuality and
discuss the challenges sexual
minorities face often find
patients open to sharing
information and help create a
better healthcare experience.
SKIN CARE TIPS
The safest time to be outdoors is before
10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. If you can’t
avoid those times, try to stay in the
shade.
Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB
protection, as well as zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide, to protect against
cancer-causing rays.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours. If
you are swimming or begin sweating,
reapply every 30 minutes.
While sunscreen is one form of
protection, it can be the least effective.
Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat,
swim shirt, and cover your chest, neck
and ears. You can also find clothing and
sunglasses designed to protect against
UV rays.
Indoor tannings (tanning beds) are
rated as a group 1 carcinogen by the
International Agency for Research on
Cancer. If you do use tanning beds, talk
to a dermatologist about your specific
risk for developing skin cancer.
Basal cell
carcinoma
Squamous cell
carcinoma
Melanoma
SUSPICIOUS SPOTS
Worried about a suspicious spot? Here
are the ABCDE signs of melanoma, one
of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Asymmetry One part of a mole or
birthmark doesn’t match the other.
Border The edges are irregular, ragged,
notched, or blurred.
Color The color is not the same all over
and may include shades of brown or
black, sometimes with patches of pink,
red, white, or blue.
Diameter The spot is larger than ¼ inch
across – about the size of a pencil eraser.
Evolving The mole is changing in size,
shape, or color.
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