(NC)—It’s almost the time of year again for the annual spring yard clean up! This annual tradition will have many Canadians spending hours outdoors enjoying the warmer weather, basking in the sun as they plant and clean up their gardens after the cold winter. Canadians worry about protecting their gardens from the harsh elements, but often forget to protect themselves, specifically their skin. What Canadians need to know is that they need to do more. That’s why the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is encouraging Canadians to start another very important tradition – the annual skin check. This year, the CSPA is adding another element to the skin check list – spots that don’t ‘feel’ right.

“An annual skin check is tremendously important,” says Christine Janus, executive director at the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance. “It can help you detect suspicious spots or moles on your skin, including a potentially serious condition called actinic keratosis, or AK which can sometimes be felt, rather than just seen on the skin.”

Although actinic keratosis is one of the most common forms of pre-cancerous skin conditions treated by dermatologists, only 4% of Canadians have heard of it. Early detection is important, as AK can be treated – which is great news because actinic keratosis can potentially go on to develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common form of skin cancer. The number of cases of SCC is expected to nearly triple by 2031.

When conducting a skin check, it’s important to look – and feel – for signs of AK. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Actinic keratosis can appear in many different ways. AK spots range in size from very small to pea-sized or larger.

• AK can also range in appearance from slightly red scaly spots, through to thick, scaly, sometimes crusty spots or patches that feel rough, sore or itchy, like sandpaper.

• If you’re over 40, particularly if you have fair skin and have spent a lot of time in the sun, you are at a higher risk for developing actinic keratosis.

• Additional risk factors include exposure to tanning beds, multiple severe sunburns early in life or a weakened immune system.

So remember, as we start to welcome the arrival of warmer weather and spend more time in the sun, it’s also important to ‘tAKe notice’ of our skin This year, start conducting an annual skin check on yourself and loved ones, look – and feel for signs of suspicious spots or moles and speak with a healthcare professional if you notice anything unusual.

For information about actinic keratosis, please visit www.CanadianSkin.ca/AK.

www.newscanada.com

 

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Tags: garden clean up, Gardening Tips, gardening tips for Spring, Spring Garden Clean Up, spring gardening, spring gardening tips

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