With help from Dr. Jennifer Y. Lin of Dana-Farber's Melanoma Treatment Program, we set the record straight on five of the most common myths about melanoma.

1. The Truth
About Melanoma
Five Myths Debunked

2. Melanoma:
• Often caused by excessive exposure
to ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
• The disease accounts for only 4-5%
of skin cancer cases, but is responsible
for most skin cancer related deaths.

3. As with many forms of cancer,
melanoma is often misunderstood.
Here are five of the
most common myths
about melanoma:

4. Myth 1: A diagnosis of melanoma means
that I have months to live.
There are four stages
of melanoma, five if
you include a form known
as melanoma in situ, an
early form of the disease
that affects only the top
layer of skin.
Before worrying about the worst outcomes, speak with
your doctor about what stage melanoma you have.

5. Myth 1: A diagnosis of melanoma means
that I have months to live.
Stage 1 melanomas, which are less than one
millimeter thick and rarely spread beyond their
original site, have an excellent prognosis and
are generally cured by surgery.
The depth of the original melanoma is critical in determining
how it will be treated and how people with it are likely to
fare. Although more melanomas are being diagnosed, the
largest portion are made up of Stage 1 melanomas.

6. Myth 2: There is no difference between
SPF 30 and SPF 100 sunscreen.
Although the baseline protection from SPF 30 and
SPF 100 is not vastly different, the higher number
provides longer coverage.
 SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, or the
amount of ultraviolet radiation the skin can
absorb without burning while sunscreen is applied.
For example, if it normally takes you 10 minutes in the sun to burn, an SPF
30 sunscreen protects you for 300 minutes. An SPF 100 should, in theory,
provide 1,000 minutes of coverage.

7. Myth 2: There is no difference between
SPF 30 and SPF 100 sunscreen.
Don’t forget!
If you are sweating and active, sunscreen can rub off and
therefore, should be reapplied every two hours. When you
are using a high SPF, there is a smaller likelihood of having
a “missed spot.”
Tip: A good way to know that you
are applying enough sunscreen is
to use the measurement of a shot
glass of sunscreen for exposed sites.

8. Myth 3: If it is a cloudy day, I do not
need to wear sunscreen.
About 80% of ultraviolet
radiation reaches the earth
even through clouds.
Use a moisturizer with
sunscreen daily, especially
for high exposure areas,
such as your face.

9. Myth 4: If I am low in vitamin D levels,
I must get some sun exposure.
Although the skin is the most efficient site of
vitamin D production, adequate amounts can be
obtained from your diet and from supplements.
Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium and build
strong bones, so we frequently recommend
supplements that include vitamin D and calcium.

10. Myth 5: If I have dark skin, I can’t burn
and won’t get melanoma.
Even people with dark skin can burn if they’re
exposed to the sun long enough. Although
melanoma is much more rare in individuals
of darker skin, it can occur.
We recommend that darker-skinned individuals
inspect their hands and feet once a month.

11. Melanoma is often curable when
detected and treated in its earliest stages.
Tips:
• Avoid overexposure to UV rays and
limit time outdoors during peak
sunlight hours.
• Wear sun-protective clothing and
sunscreen.
• Watch for changes in moles and other
blemishes, which can be an early sign
of the disease.

12. Check out our video discussion with
Dr. Jennifer Y. Lin, a melanoma
specialist with Dana-Farber/Brigham
and Women’s Cancer Center:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_em
bedded&v=OXt-yXFq39w
For more information on the disease, visit:
http://www.dana-farber.org/Adult-Care/Treatment-and-
Support/Treatment-Centers-and-Clinical-Services/Melanoma-
Treatment-Center.aspx