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The health benefits of sunlight may outweigh the risk of skin cancer

(www.economist.com)
279 points petethomas | 4 comments | 19 Sep 25 04:46 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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anthonj ◴[19 Sep 25 11:29 UTC] No.45300378[source]▶
Isn't skin cancer 100% survivable if caught on time*, with the removal procedure begin a single 1-2 hour specialist visit?

Where "on time" means during the trivial yearly screening that everyone should be getting.

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1. NaomiLehman ◴[19 Sep 25 14:54 UTC] No.45302347[source]▶
If you get melanoma, it can progress within weeks or months to stage >1. An annual checkup is not enough. And then you get 50% chance if you qualify for gene therapy or die.
replies(1): >>45304676 #
2. joseakle ◴[19 Sep 25 18:12 UTC] No.45304676[source]▶
What is the recommended screening frequency ?
replies(2): >>45304976 #>>45306733 #
3. sigmoid10 ◴[19 Sep 25 18:42 UTC] No.45304976[source]▶
That highly depends on the individual and their risk profile. But the best approach in general is to be aware of the signs that are up on these posters you see in every good dermatologist's office. Then you can spot abnormalities immediately and get them checked out professionally. Half of all melanomas are not found by screenings and are self-detected instead.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/screening-advice-thats...

4. anthomtb ◴[19 Sep 25 21:17 UTC] No.45306733[source]▶
Perhaps by "An annual checkup is not enough", they do not mean you need screenings multiple times a year. Rather, one needs to regularly examine their own skin in addition to yearly checks by a professional.

An aside for my fellow wookies: moles can form under hair!