T.J. Samson | Destination Health | April 2018

April 2018 3 Your skin cancer risk is what it is—you can’t lower it. FACT: Reducing your sun exposure can lower your skin cancer risk. So make it a habit to wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy outside. Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sun- screen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin. And try to stay out of direct sunlight when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Your skin will thank you for it. myth M 5 myths about melanoma Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and it’s on the rise. Rates have doubled in recent decades—but there is some good news: Melanoma is highly treatable when caught early. And knowing the myths from the facts can help you protect your skin. Here are some things to keep in mind. You can’t get melanoma from tanning beds. FACT: Melanoma can be caused by both natural ultra- violet (UV) light from the sun and artificial UV light from tanning beds. There is no such thing as a safe tan. Only light- skinned people get melanoma. FACT: People with fair skin may be at higher risk—but anyone can get melanoma. In fact, people of color are often diagnosed later, when their disease is more advanced. That’s because many mistakenly believe that they can’t get skin cancer. You can’t get melanoma twice. FACT: Not only can mela- noma strike more than once, your chances of getting the dis- ease are higher if you’ve had it (or other types of skin cancer) be- fore. So it’s even more impor- tant to be vigilant about protecting your skin. You can only get a harmful mole on parts of the skin ex- posed to the sun. FACT: Melanoma can form anywhere on your body, even in between your fingers or on the soles of your feet. Check your entire body regularly—and call your doc- tor if you notice any moles that look unusual or that bleed or itch. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; Melanoma Research Foundation; National Cancer Institute myth myth myth myth Have diabetes? Know your r i sk f o r k i dne y d i s ea s e You may not give your kidneys a second thought unless they suddenly cause trouble. But when you have diabetes, these vital or- gans need your close attention on a regular basis. Here’s why: Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney disease—as many as 1 in 4 people with diabetes has kidney disease.The longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of damage to your kidneys. That’s why it’s crucial to take these steps to help protect your kidneys: Control your blood sugar. High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys, and this can hurt your kidneys’ ability to remove waste from your blood. Work with your doctor to set a target range for your blood sugar that’s right for you. Follow advice about diet, exercise and medications to meet your blood sugar goals. Keep your blood pressure in check. High blood pressure, which often goes hand-in-hand with diabetes, is another major risk factor for kidney problems. If you need medication to help control your blood pressure, take it as directed. Adopt healthy habits. These can also help prevent kidney disease: ●  ● If you smoke, try hard to quit. Smoking raises your blood pressure, which increases the risk for kidney disease. ●  ● Reach and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, your blood sugar and blood pressure can be harder to control. ●  ● Exercise regularly. It can help manage your weight, control your blood sugar and lower your blood pressure. ●  ● Manage stress. Too much stress can raise your blood sugar and blood pressure. ●  ● Have your kidneys checked. You can have kidney disease and not know it. You doc- tor can order urine tests that will show how healthy your kidneys are. Get tested at least once a year. Sources: American Diabetes Association; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; National Kidney Foundation; UpToDate Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney disease. Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is one way to help protect your kidneys.