Mercy's Dr. Vadim Gushchin Discusses Melanoma Prevention in Women

Melanoma is a deadly, yet treatable skin cancer - if it is caught early.

According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer, except breast or thyroid cancers.

Surgical oncologist Dr. Vadim Gushchin, Director of The Melanoma & Skin Cancer Center at Mercy, encourages women to not get sunburns, which can lead to melanoma later in life. He also recommends checking your skin often, which can alert you to early-stage melanoma.

"Melanoma is a pigmented lesion, like a mole or birthmark that looks somewhat different than what it used to be - either it was not there the last time you looked or it's changed in size or color," Dr. Gushchin said.

Dr. Gushchin recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every three hours while in the sun.

If using spray-on sunscreen, hold the spray nozzle 1 centimeter from the skin to ensure proper application, and steer clear of peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

He also recommends wearing a hat or visor and sunglasses while outside, and to avoid getting a tan.

View Dr. Gushchin's interview about melanoma and skin cancer.