| All good sun protection advice includes wearing a hat | | | | And, dermatologists also agree that routinely |
| to protect against sun exposure. One of the most | | | | examining the head and neck for suspicious lesions is |
| important reasons behind this advice is the little | | | | an important part of self-examinations. |
| known fact that scalp and neck cancers can be more | | | | Experts recommend wearing a hat with an Ultraviolet |
| deadly than skin cancers diagnosed elsewhere on the | | | | Protection Factor (UPF) of at least 50+. The UPF |
| body. Researchers have found that although only six | | | | should be noted on a hang tag on the hat and the |
| percent of melanoma patients present with head and | | | | brim should be at least three inches wide to protect |
| neck melanomas, they account for 10 percent of | | | | the neck. Do not rely upon shampoos and |
| melanoma deaths. | | | | conditioners to provide protection. Coverage is |
| Dermatologists have been aware of this fact for | | | | uneven and you are unlikely to "reapply" every two |
| some time. They used to think the lethality occurred | | | | hours. |
| because scalp and neck melanomas were not | | | | In addition to wearing a hat, you should check your |
| diagnosed as early as other skin cancers. Now, | | | | scalp as a routine part of examining your skin. Using a |
| however, they believe that there is something | | | | hair dryer and a comb, make parts through your hair, |
| "different" about tumors on the head and neck and | | | | one row at a time, over the top of your head and |
| many suggest research is needed to look at tumor | | | | down to your ears. Use a hand held mirror to check |
| cell types on the molecular level to identify the | | | | the back of your head. (If this proves to be too |
| mutations that drive malignancy. | | | | cumbersome, ask a member of your family or your |
| While the science behind scalp and neck cancers may | | | | hairdresser to make the check.) And, of course, |
| not yet be entirely clear, there is one fact upon | | | | report anything suspicious immediately to your |
| which all dermatologists agree: Wearing a hat in the | | | | dermatologist. |
| sun is critically important for effective sun protection. | | | | Be safe in the sun. |