Bachelorette Star Ali Fedotowsky, 37, Used To ‘Bake In Tanning Beds:’ Then She Noticed A Small Tummy Spot Which Turned Out To Be Cancer

In a recent interview with Insider, Manno explained: “I was a child of the 1990s. I used to bake in tanning beds and not think twice about a sunburn. When I thought about skin health, I was focused on reducing wrinkles and looking youthful. But about five years ago, I noticed a spot on my stomach. It turned out to be skin cancer.” The form of cancer she was diagnosed with was Basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Following Manno’s cancer diagnosis, the mom of two, admits she feels lucky. “I caught it early, when the cancer could be removed during an outpatient appointment. After that, I started using my platform to teach people about the importance of skin health.” She has even partnered with Banana Boat,  launching a “#SunDaysAreFunDays” social media campaign earlier this year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ali Manno (Fedotowsky) (@ali.manno)

“Now I’m meticulous about sun protection for me and my kids. On the rare occasion that I forget to apply sunscreen, my 6-year-old, Molly, will remind me before we leave the house. I love that she’s prioritizing skin protection from childhood,” Manno continued. She strives to keep her daughter Molly and four-year-old son, Riley, protected from Sun damage.

Related: Bachelorette Alum, Ali Fedotowsky, Uses Skin Cancer Diagnosis as Example for the Rest of Us: ‘I Should Never Have Waited That Long’

“As women, we’re often focused on how our skin looks. But at the end of the day, if you get skin cancer you might not have the pleasure of being able to age and get wrinkles. It’s a gift to get older. I want my skin to look great, and more importantly, be healthy. That starts with applying sunscreen,” Manno added.

Doing Skin Self-Checks

The ideal time to do a skin self-exam is after a shower, in front of a full-length mirror. (Use a hand-held mirror for hard-to-see areas, or ask a partner or family member to help you do your assessment in areas you can't see.)

Related: Woman Who's Had Skin Cancer FIVE TIMES Warns That 'The Only Safe Tan Is A Spray Tan!'

You should look for moles, blemishes, or birthmarks, from top to bottom. If you spot anything irregular, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

Examining Your Skin for Melanoma: Remember ABCDE

Protect Your Skin from Cancer

Keeping your skin protected is often the best defense against skin cancer. Dr. Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist, spoke with SurvivorNet in a previous interview on how to protect your skin.

Related: 'Get Your Skin Checked': Hugh Jackman Posts a Skin Cancer Prevention Reminder for Fans

Dr. Engelman told us a few ways to protect yourself against skin cancer, saying, "One: Avoid the sun during peak hours, which is 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Two: Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, because we want to protect the tops of our head, and the tops of our ears, and then the delicate area around the eye. Three: We need to wear SPF of 30 or highera bare minimum of 30and make sure to reapply every two hours, or after excessive sweating, or after swimming."

Like Manno, Dr. Engelman affirmed the need for skin checks. She told us, "And then we need to make sure that we have yearly skin checks, because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body."

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---