How to Prevent Skin Cancer in St. Louis – It’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Shine a Light on Skin Health This May

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and as St. Louis heads into sunny days and warm weather, it’s the perfect time to talk about skin protection and early detection. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.—but it’s also one of the most preventable.

At Link Primary Care, we believe in making skin health a priority. Through personalized care, same-day visits, and preventive screenings, we help St. Louis residents stay safe in the sun.

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably. The three most common types are:

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma (the most dangerous form)

St. Louis and Skin Cancer Risk

Though we’re not a year-round sunbelt city, St. Louis experiences a high UV index from spring through fall. Missouri residents often spend extended time outdoors hiking, boating, and enjoying summer festivals—often without adequate sun protection.

How Link Primary Care Helps

We offer:

  • Same-day appointments for skin concerns
  • Full-body skin evaluations
  • In-office biopsies, and referrals to Dermatology when needed
  • Unlimited visits with affordable memberships ($99/month for adults)
  • Education on sun safety and mole monitoring

A Spot That Could’ve Been Missed

A 39-year-old runner noticed a dark mole on her shoulder. She booked a same-day visit with Link Primary Care. Dr. Bereda recognized warning signs of melanoma and did a skin biopsy at the same visit.

“It turned out to be benign, and I needed no further treatment.”

Sun Safety Tips for St. Louis Residents

  • Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily
  • Reapply every 2 hours (or after swimming/sweating/exercise)
  • Wear wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses
  • Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
  • Perform monthly skin self-exams using the ABCDE signs of melanoma:
    • Asymmetry
    • Border irregularity
    • Color variation
    • Diameter >6mm
    • Evolving shape or color

Who Should Be Screened?

  • Adults over 30 with fair skin or sunburn history
  • Anyone with a family history of skin cancer
  • Outdoor workers and athletes
  • Those with many or atypical moles

We help you know what’s normal—and what’s not.

Take the First Step Toward Safer Skin

Skin cancer is highly treatable when detected early. Don’t wait for a concern to become a crisis.

Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Davis using the following link:
https://calendly.com/jeffreydavis-linkprimarycare/link-primary-care-meeting

Get more information on our website at linkprimarycare.com

Schedule Your 15 Min Discovery Call