Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!

Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! | New York City with Marmur Medical

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates that every day roughly 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. As the most common cancer in the U.S., one in five Americans will likely develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

More than 3 million Americans face the impact of skin cancer each year. Skin cancer can affect anyone—regardless of skin color or age. In fact, people with darker skin tones are often not diagnosed with skin cancer until its later stages, making it much more difficult to treat and survive. While the average age of a melanoma diagnosis is 65, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults.

The experts at Marmur Medical want to ensure as many people as possible understand the importance of preventing and detecting skin cancer. By teaming with the AAD in the Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! campaign, they aim to raise awareness and funds to help support skin cancer prevention programs.

Help us raise awareness by donating to Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! Prevent and detect skin cancer by contacting Marmur Medical at (212) 996-6900 or completing our online form to schedule your annual skin cancer check today!

Why We Hike

As the most common cancer in the United States, the American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 32 people will die of skin cancer every day in 2023.

To raise awareness and funds for skin cancer prevention programs, the AAD challenges avid hikers and skin cancer warriors to join us for the 2023 Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! journey through the cultural and spiritual landscapes of Japan. Together, we will hike along the Nakahechi section of UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo, an age-old web of pilgrimage routes.

Dr. Ellen Marmur helped develop the Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! campaign with the AAD in 2014. Since then, Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! has raised nearly $2 million and delivered over 430,000 free life-saving skin cancer screenings and funded many educational programs to nearly 15,000 children on how to prevent and detect skin cancer. As a skin cancer survivor, Dr. Marmur is committed to educating as many people as possible about skin cancer prevention and early skin cancer detection.

Join our team, Marmur Kazoku, as we work to raise funds to help provide:

  • Life-saving skin cancer screening exams
  • Grants to build shade structures for children
  • Public access to free sunscreen
  • Educational programs on how to prevent and detect skin cancer

Help us raise funds to save lives by supporting these life-changing programs that aspire to prevent and detect skin cancers early—when they are most treatable. Together, we can build a world without skin cancer!

Early Skin Cancer Prevention Saves Lives

There are many things each individual can do to prevent skin cancer. Skin cancer, if caught early, is typically curable.

As many skin cancers, including most melanoma cases, are directly related to UV light exposure, it’s important to avoid tanning beds, limit sun exposure, and take precautions to protect skin when spending time outdoors. Skin cancer can be caused by both long-term sun exposure and short, intense sun exposure, including sunburn.

The UV rays in sunlight can contribute to DNA damage in the skin cells, and this can occur many years before skin cancer develops.

Along with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, protect your skin by practicing sun safety, including:

  • Staying in the shade
  • Wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs
  • Wearing wide-brimmed hats that shade your face, head, ears, and neck
  • Using sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays

Children and Sun Exposure

Children are especially susceptible to the sun. Typically, children have sensitive skin and eyes that are vulnerable to UV damage. All children, regardless of their skin tone, should wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every time they are exposed to the sun.

Severe sunburns in childhood and adolescence have been linked to a higher risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers later in life. In fact, the AAD states that 5 or more severe, blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 80% and other skin cancers by nearly 70%.

This fact is one of the reasons Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! provides grants to build shade structures and provide free public access to sunscreen to help protect children. With your help, we can continue to provide educational programs to help children avoid skin cancer in the future.

Ready to get started?

Founded by celebrity dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon Dr. Ellen Marmur, Marmur Medical has consistently been heralded as New York City’s leading dermatology provider. We offer state-of-the-art facilities, industry-leading treatments and technologies, world-renowned expertise, and much more. Best of all, we put our patients first. Ready to partner with New York’s best dermatologists?

Early Signs of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer, by far, is the most common type of cancer, but it’s also among the most treatable forms of cancer. Early detection makes skin cancer easier to treat and survive. In our blog, Skin Cancer: What to Look For, we explain five early symptoms of skin cancer that you shouldn’t ignore.

Moles

Moles are the key to spotting melanoma early. Use the ABCDE method every month to ensure you’re doing everything you can for early detection.

  • Asymmetry—half of the mole is not like the other half
  • Border—Poorly defined or irregular borders
  • Color—Color variation from one area of the mole to another
  • Diameter—Melanomas are typically larger than a pencil eraser
  • Evolving—The mole experiences size, shape, or color changes

Itchy, Red Skin Patches

While a rash itself isn’t necessarily a sign of cancer, basal cell carcinomas often present as a raised, reddish patch of skin that doesn’t go away.

With basal cell carcinomas, you may also find:

  • Flat, yellow patches
  • Shiny, pearly bumps that may be a multi-colored blend of pink, brown, blue, or black
  • Pink growths that have raised edges
  • Open sores that aren’t healing

Lumps & Bumps

While Merkel cell carcinoma can start anywhere on the body, the tumors often appear as firm, pink, red, or purple lumps or bumps on the skin. Typically, these tumors aren’t painful; however, they’re fast-growing and can become ulcers or sores and develop into other dangerous types of skin cancer.

Lesions

Lesions can appear flat, slightly raised, or even large enough to be a bump; they can be red, purple, or brown. However, any lesion that develops on the legs or face may be a sign of cancer. When lesions first appear as spots on the skin, they aren’t typically painful or itchy, but don’t put off having them checked.

Any Unexpected Changes

Be cautious when it comes to any unexpected changes to your skin. Watch for:

  • New growths
  • Texture changes
  • Discoloration
  • Swelling

Help Us Make an Incredible Difference!

Every dollar raised through Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! helps deliver free skin cancer screenings, grants to build shade structures for children, access to free sunscreen in public locations, and educational programs on how to prevent and detect skin cancer.

Help support our mission—skin cancer prevention, detection, and awareness—with your tax-deductible donation to our team, Marmur Kazoku! Join the experts at Marmur Medical in telling Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!

Schedule Your Annual Skin Cancer Screening with Marmur Medical Today!

While we’re hiking to bring awareness and raise funds for skin cancer prevention and detection abroad, we can’t stress the importance of your annual skin check here at home. Our dermatologists at Marmur Medical recommend an annual skin cancer screening at every age, starting in childhood.

Tell skin cancer to take a hike! Book your annual skin check with Marmur Medical by calling (212) 996-6900 or completing our contact form.