The annual “Cancer in Iowa” report released Friday shows the number of skin cancer cases in Iowa has been increasing. Mary Charlton with the University of Iowa College of Public Health says it is one of the most preventable cancers, and many efforts are underway to try and reverse the trend. Charlton says there are many initiatives where groups are handing out sunscreen at events like minor league and little baseball games. “People are starting to build more shade, sort of shelters at ballparks and things like that to keep themselves protected. Wearing hats to keep them protect them, all of that is relatively simple,” Charlton says.

She says you can do a lot on your own to help keep skin cancer from becoming deadly. “Early detection is important, and just looking at your skin once a month and going in to see a health care provider who could diagnose skin cancer about once a year would help detect those lesions very early when they are more treatable,” Charlton says. Charlton is an epidemiologist and says there are many things you can do to avoid all types of cancer.

She says you can not smoke, or quit smoking, minimize your time in the sunlight or in tanning beds and eat a balanced diet. You can see the full state report on cancer at the U-I College of Public Health’s website at: www.public-health.uiowa.edu.

(Radio Iowa)