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A Summer Wake-Up Call
There’s this moment I keep thinking about.
A few months ago, a colleague someone I share hallway laughs and microwave lines with mentioned a mole on his neck that had changed. It looked a little different, maybe darker, maybe more uneven. We shrugged it off. I mean, we all have moles. Who actually checks them?
It turned out to be melanoma.
He caught it early. He’ll be okay. But that conversation stayed with me. It made me check my own skin for the first time in… honestly, years. And then I checked my husband’s. And then my daughter’s, when she got out of the bath.
That’s when it hit me: I keep sunscreen in three beach bags, but I’ve never once looked for the signs of skin cancer. I bet I’m not alone.
We Think We Know the Risks But Do We?
Skin cancer sounds like something that happens to other people. People who spend their teens in tanning beds or vacation in Cabo every spring. Not moms in minivans. Not kids in swim shirts.
But here’s what I’ve learned since that day in the office:
- 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime
- Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women under 30
- Even one blistering sunburn as a child can double your risk later
Source: Skin Cancer Foundation
And yet, most of us don’t really know what to look for. It’s not on our radar the way breast exams or pediatric checkups are. But it should be.
Our Everyday Lives Expose Us More Than We Think
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be sunbathing to be at risk. You just have to live your life.
- Standing on the soccer field sidelines
- Strolling to pick up your child from school
- Driving with the sun hitting your arm through the window
- Gardening while the baby naps
These are the moments that add up.
UV rays don’t take a break on cloudy days. And even indoors, glass doesn’t fully block UVA rays the ones that age and damage skin at the cellular level.
The Skin Check You Can Do in Under 5 Minutes
Dermatologists have this easy trick called the ABCDE method. You don’t need a medical degree just a mirror, some good light, and a few quiet minutes (ideally before you hop in the shower).
- A – Asymmetry: Is one half of the mole different from the other?
- B – Border: Are the edges uneven or jagged?
- C – Color: Are there multiple shades? Black, brown, pink, white?
- D – Diameter: Is it larger than a pencil eraser?
- E – Evolving: Has it changed over the last few weeks or months?
I now do this while brushing my teeth. It’s not glamorous, but it’s peace of mind.
Pro tip: Take photos of any questionable spots with your phone. Compare them monthly.
Teaching Sun Safety Without Creating Fear
I don’t want my kids to be afraid of the sun. I want them to play, to explore, to run through sprinklers and eat popsicles on the porch.
But I also want them to grow up understanding that taking care of your skin is a form of self-respect.
We started keeping a bottle of SPF by the front door. I added a reminder to my calendar for sunscreen reapplication during outdoor birthday parties. We let our daughter pick her own hat (sparkles helped).
And I say things like:
“Let’s find some shade”
“Time for a sunscreen top-up”
“Want to help Mommy put on lotion?”
Small habits. Big impact.
7 Ways to Protect Your Family Without Overhauling Your Life
You don’t need to turn into a sunscreen vigilante. Here are a few low-effort, high-reward changes we made:
- Stock mini sunscreens in your purse, stroller, and glovebox
- Buy UPF-rated rash guards for beach days and swim lessons
- Reapply SPF every 2 hours (or more often if swimming)
- Use wide-brimmed hats not just ball caps
- Add window film or shades in the car
- Schedule annual skin checks (ask your pediatrician for your kids)
- Practice what you preach apply sunscreen in front of your kids
These aren’t about perfection. They’re about intention.
What About Our Littles? Should We Check Their Moles Too?
Yes but with a little context.
Pediatric melanoma is rare, but it does happen. Experts recommend looking for:
- Uniformity: Most benign moles in kids are one color
- Pink or red moles: Not all melanoma is dark
- Moles that grow or change
- Raised or firm spots
If anything seems unusual, snap a photo and call your pediatrician. It’s probably nothing but peace of mind is a gift worth giving.
Let’s Bust a Few Myths While We’re Here
“Dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen.”
→ Melanin helps, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk. Everyone needs protection.
“Sunscreen is toxic.”
→ Mineral-based formulas (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are safe and effective even for babies.
“You don’t need SPF in the shade.”
→ UV rays reflect off sand, water, concrete, and snow. If you’re outdoors, you’re exposed.
One Conversation That Saved a Life (And Could Save Yours Too)
That mole on my coworker’s neck? It turned into a story we’ll never forget. He’s okay. But his story changed how I think about skin, summer, and paying attention.
Since then, I’ve booked my own skin check. I helped my husband do one, too. And I’m more mindful now of the sun, of our routines, of what I want to teach my kids.
Because catching something early is everything.
And because prevention is easier than regret.
A Few Tools That Help:
- DNA Weekly’s Skin Cancer Guide
- EWG’s Safe Sunscreen List
- Find a Dermatologist (AAD)
- Apps like MoleScope or SkinVision for mole tracking
Final Thought
We moms are usually last on our own to-do lists. But your skin deserves your attention. Not just so you can stay healthy but because the little people watching you are learning from what you do.
And in this case, what they learn from you might just save a life one day including your own.