Protecting Yourself Against Skin Cancer This Summer

Skin cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed each year. Skin cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices. Understanding the different types of skin cancer and their causes is crucial to preventing and treating this disease.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and usually appears as a small, shiny bump or a patch of skin that is red, pale, or pearly.

Squamous cell carcinoma often looks like a wart or a scaly patch of skin, and it can grow quickly and become painful. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, and it can appear as a mole or a dark spot on the skin.

The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause cancer. People with fair skin, light eyes, and blond or red hair are more likely to develop skin cancer than those with darker skin tones. Other risk factors for skin cancer include a family history of the disease, a weakened immune system, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Preventing skin cancer starts with protecting your skin from the sun.

Get back in the game this summer with

Sports Medicine

Ortho Rhode Island | Sports Medicine

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to understand the negative impact an orthopedic injury or condition can have on your favorite activities. From weekend pickleball players to avid gardeners to high school and college studentathletes, the sports medicine specialists at Ortho Rhode Island care for active people of all ages, interests, and ability levels to help get them back to doing what they love.

Ortho Rhode Island’s sports medicine team is comprised of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and primary care physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. These specialists collaborate to provide state-of-the-art care focused on the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions related to sports, physical fitness, and exercise.

Our multidisciplinary approach allows our providers to create individualized care plans that are tailored to your activity goals, and to utilize leading-edge treatments, from the latest techniques in physical therapy to other nonsurgical therapies like platelet-rich plasma injections with Ortho RI Biologics.