For Men’s Health Week, an Oregon doctor is urging people, especially men, to take the risks of skin cancer seriously.

Research shows by age 65, men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with melanoma.

Dr. Anna Bar, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University, said scientists do not know exactly why it is, but men may be more prone to skin cancer in part because they are more likely to work outside.

Image

“Women use more cosmetics, and a lot of cosmetics on the face, they do have SPF,” Bar explained. “Another possibility may be that women are more cognizant about anti-aging, so they apply sunscreen, whereas men maybe are not as vigilant about that.”

Bar recommended everyone stay in the shade in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest, apply sunscreen, wear hats and cover up as much as possible.

Sun exposure is not the whole story, Bar pointed out. Doctors often find skin cancer in places not getting much exposure. Bar added most moles develop by the time people reach young adulthood, so anything appearing later — especially if it is growing or changing — should be checked by a doctor. Other types of skin cancer can look like a small pink bump that does not go away or a scaly patch of skin.

“Most of them are not aggressive and they could be treated very easily by your dermatologist,” Bar stressed. “But it is nice, of course, to catch them on the earlier side.”

Bar underscored contrary to what some may think, people do not need to bake for hours in the sun to get vitamin D. People can get what they need for the day with about 20 minutes of exposure.