Andy Cohen and Bethenny Frankel’s Socially-Distant Reunion Proves Skin Cancer Survivors Can Stay Safe In The Sun

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Cohen revealed that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer while co-hosting "Live with Kelly" in November of 2016 after friend Kelly Ripa pointed out a black dot on Cohen’s bottom lip which turned out to be melanoma. Luckily, it was caught quickly thanks to Ripa and Cohen was able to have it removed.

Frankel experienced a skin cancer scare in 2019 when she discovered a small growth on her face. Doctors examined the growth and diagnosed it as basal cell carcinoma (BSC), one of the most common forms of skin cancer. She underwent Mohs surgery to have the growth removed. Mohs surgery is a precise surgery which is most effective in treating BSC and other skin cancer squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

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How To Protect Yourself From Sun Damage

It’s been proven that sun damage is the leading cause of skin cancer  particularly melanoma. According to Dr. Anna Pavlick, a medical oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, 90% of melanoma diagnoses are caused by extreme sun exposure and damage such as sunburns, Additionally, melanoma can develop from an existing mole or it can appear as a dark or pink growth on the skin  even in places that have never been exposed to the sun.

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Enjoying some time in the great outdoors can be critical for many people, but there are ways to protect the skin from being exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Here are a few steps:

1. Avoid sun during peak hours  around 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
2. Cover your skin and eyes with either sunglasses or a hat
3. Wear an SPF sunscreen of 30 or higher, especially on your face
4. Get an annual skin check
5. Avoid tanning beds

Dr. Dendy Engelman breaks down the five most helpful tips to protect your skin from damage

Some may assume that you only need to apply sunscreen in the summer, but that’s actually not the case. While summer may mean rising temperatures, it’s just as possible to experience sun damage in colder months. So, proper sun protection is critical all year-round.

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"It's a common misconception that people think they only have to protect their skin when they're in the bright, warm sunshine," said Dr. Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon who practices in New York. "But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year… even in the cold, wintry months. If we're unprotected for even fifteen minutes a day. If we think about the cumulative effects that has on our skin over a lifetime, it's very real."

Dr. Dendy Engelman urges people to apply sunscreen all year-round

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