10 years ago I was diagnosed with melanoma. Here's what my dermatologist wants you to know.

Key Points:

• Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a board-certified dermatologist and senior VP of the Skin Cancer Foundation, emphasizes that skin cancer is the most preventable and almost always curable if caught early, as in her own melanoma diagnosis ten years ago.
• Melanoma rates are rising among young women, particularly due to tanning bed use and sunburns, with tanning bed exposure before age 35 increasing melanoma risk by 75%.
• Social media trends promoting prolonged sun exposure and tanning ("tanmaxxing") contribute to increased UV damage, which causes DNA damage and accelerates skin aging and cancer risk.
• There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (most common, rarely spreads), squamous cell carcinoma (can spread, linked to chronic sun exposure), and melanoma (most deadly, responsible for over 75% of skin cancer deaths).
• Regular skin checks starting at age 18 and daily use of broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher are crucial preventive measures, with reapplication every two hours recommended during prolonged outdoor exposure.