May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

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A woman being examined.May is skin cancer awareness month, and with summer approaching, what better time to discuss ways to keep you and your family safe while enjoying the sunshine. As a child of the 80s, we grew up children of sun worshippers. If you can envision and smell the tin tube of Bain de Soleil, applied baby oil to make sure you got as red as a pepper, and went to a tanning salon (GASP) before prom season, then you are right there with me.

Flash forward a decade or so later, and the trips to the dermatologists were a lot scarier than years before. Biopsies, Moh’s surgery, and understanding the ABCDEs of skin cancer detection became of utmost importance. As a generation, we had to become educated on skin cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. It is the most common type of cancer in the United States.

Personally, I get whole body skin checks twice a year due to family history and having had many suspicious moles and sun spots. I have trained myself to apply sunscreen to my face and neck daily, even in the winter, and wear hats whenever I’m exposed to the sun for a long time. I have learned that the sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and try to spend less time exposed during those hours. I try to remain aware of my children’s sun exposure as a parent. They wear rash guards and hats and reapply sunscreen often.

Even though I love the beach and being out in the sun, I have learned to enjoy it safely and to gain the tanned look from my favorite bronzers. Pale is the new tan!

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beckyk
Originally from Massachusetts, Becky is a mother to three kids ( Ben-8, Sabina-6, Sam-2.5) and has been with her husband, Aaron for almost 18 years. Recently, they took the leap from Manhattan to suburbia after living in the city for half their lives. Becky is a former elementary school teacher and administrator, holding a MEd in education and is a certified reading specialist. Although she has been out of the classroom for quite some time, she dusted off her teacher hat during Covid while home schooling her kids. You can often find Becky doing things with her husband and family in and around their new community of Scarsdale. She tracks local events, new restaurants and stores on her personal Instagram @beckyinburbs In addition, Becky is a “Camp Specialist” who offers a free service to help parents find the ideal summer camp for their children. Excited to be a part of the westchester county mom community!