Skin Cancer Awareness is another important health campaign recognized in May that highlights the how simple daily steps can help prevent skin cancer. With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer1. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
About 90 percent1 of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. We encourage you to be proactive with your skin care protection and review these blogs, tips, and videos:
- Visit your dermatologist annually. GW medical plan participants do not need a referral to see a dermatologist. When visiting a GW MFA dermatologist, GW PPO participants have a $25 co-pay and GW HSP participants have a 10% co-insurance after meeting your deductible.
- Read the recent Skin Cancer Awareness blog post from GW MFA Dermatologist, Vishal Patel, MD, Director of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at GW Cancer Center.
- Protect your skin by using broad-spectrum sunscreen and using a hat from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Learn what to look for when doing an at-home skin exam.
1, Skin Cancer Facts and Statistics.www.skincancer.org. January 13, 2021.
