If you’ve ever stepped outside in Lawton in mid-July and felt the sun hit you like an open oven door, you already know — practicing daily sun safety in Southwest Oklahoma is absolutely essential. Our intense regional sun means serious business. Beyond immediate sunburns and sweaty afternoon ball games at Shannon Springs Park, that same cumulative UV radiation carries a long-term risk many families overlook: skin cancer.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to talk about the UV risk right here in our corner of Oklahoma. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and here in the Southern Plains, our long sunny seasons and high UV index give us even more reason to pay attention. The good news? Skin cancer caught early is also among the most treatable. And with the right habits — plus the support of your care team at Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma — your family can enjoy every cookout, fishing trip, and weekend at Lake Lawtonka without fear.
So let’s dig in. Here’s what you need to know about sun safety in Southwest Oklahoma — and how to protect the people you love.
The Myth of the Cloudy Day
Many Oklahomans believe they only need to worry about UV protection during the scorching heat of July and August. However, damage to your skin can happen year-round, even when the spring breeze keeps things cool or when clouds roll across the Sooner State.
In fact, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. This means that a cloudy afternoon spent walking down at Elmer Thomas Park can result in just as much cellular skin damage as a bright day at the pool. Additionally, UV radiation bounces off surfaces like water, sand, and concrete, intensifying your exposure. Practicing consistent sun safety means making year-round SPF a non-negotiable habit for your entire family, applying it every single morning before you step out the door.
Know Your ABCDEs
One of the simplest and most powerful tools you have for early skin cancer detection is your own eyes. Dermatologists and oncologists use the “ABCDE” method to teach people how to recognize suspicious moles or skin changes at home. Make a habit of checking your skin once a month — ideally after a shower in good lighting — and ask a partner to help you check areas you can’t see well, like your back and scalp.
Here’s what to look for:
- A is for Asymmetry: If you draw a line through the middle of the mole, the two halves do not match.
- B is for Border: The edges of the spot are irregular, scalloped, jagged, or poorly defined.
- C is for Color: The color is not uniform. It may include varying shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- D is for Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), although some skin cancers can be smaller.
- E is for Evolving: The mole is actively changing in size, shape, color, or is causing new symptoms like itching, bleeding, or crusting.
See a doctor promptly if any mole or skin spot displays one or more of these ABCDEs — or if you notice a new growth, a sore that won’t heal, or a spot that looks noticeably different from your other moles (sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign).
Remember, not every concerning spot looks alarming at first glance. That’s exactly why a trained eye matters. Your primary care provider can perform a full-body skin check during your annual visit and refer you to a specialist if anything warrants a closer look.
Why Sun Safety Means SPF Isn’t Just for the Beach
Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: you need sunscreen year-round in Southwest Oklahoma — not just during summer. Because clouds block a mere fraction of harmful radiation, your skin accumulates damage even during short periods of overcast weather.
Think about all the moments we spend in partial sun without even thinking about it: walking to and from the car, watching your kids’ morning soccer practice, eating lunch on the patio at work, or driving. These “incidental” exposures are responsible for a significant portion of cumulative UV damage over a lifetime.
Choosing the right sunscreen is a cornerstone of family sun safety and doesn’t have to be complicated. Look for “broad-spectrum” on the label — that means it protects against both UVA rays (the aging and skin-damage type) and UVB rays (the burning type). SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. Higher isn’t always dramatically better, but it does provide a small additional buffer — useful for our intense Southwest Oklahoma summers.
For children under six months old, keep them out of direct sunlight altogether and use shade, protective clothing, and a stroller canopy. For older kids, make sunscreen application a fun, non-negotiable part of heading outdoors — just like putting on shoes.
Local Care for Early Detection
Education and home checks are a great first line of defense, but they work best in partnership with your healthcare provider. Annual skin screenings with a primary care provider or dermatologist are one of the most effective ways to maximize your medical sun safety baseline—especially for anyone with a history of significant sun exposure, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or skin that burns easily.
Start with Your Primary Care Team at Memorial Health System
Your primary care provider at Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma is your frontline partner in skin health. During a routine wellness visit, your provider can perform a full-body skin exam, note any concerning lesions, and order a referral if further evaluation is needed. If you don’t have a primary care provider yet, now is an excellent time to establish one. Call our LCHC Primary Care line at (580) 355-5242 to get connected.
Don’t wait until something looks alarming. Proactive, preventive appointments are exactly how early detection works — and early detection is the difference between a simple procedure and a much more involved treatment journey.
Specialized Cancer Support Through Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma
For patients who need advanced evaluation or are navigating a skin cancer diagnosis, Memorial Health System is proud to partner with the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma (CCSWOK). CCSWOK brings specialized oncology expertise right here to our community, so patients don’t have to travel far from home for high-quality cancer care.
From diagnostic imaging and pathology to treatment planning and ongoing support, CCSWOK is equipped to guide patients and their families through every step of the process with compassion and clinical precision. Because no one should have to face a cancer diagnosis alone — and no one in Southwest Oklahoma has to.
Take Action – Your Skin Will Thank You
The Southwest Oklahoma sun isn’t going anywhere — and neither are we. Skin cancer is common, but it is also preventable and highly treatable when caught early. By knowing the ABCDEs of suspicious moles, committing to daily broad-spectrum SPF, and scheduling regular screenings with your care team, you give yourself and your family the best possible protection.
This May, we encourage every family in the Lawton area and across Southwest Oklahoma to take one proactive step: schedule that annual wellness visit, do a quick skin check, or grab that bottle of sunscreen you’ve been putting off. These small actions make a big difference over a lifetime.
At Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma, we’re proud to be your partner in preventive health — for every season, every stage of life, and every family. And when specialized care is needed, the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma are here to walk alongside you.
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Disclaimer:
The Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma (MHS) website does not provide specific medical advice for individual cases. MHS does not endorse any services obtained through information provided on this site, articles on the site or any links on this site.
Use of the information obtained by the Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.
While content is frequently updated, medical information changes quickly. Information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. For questions or concerns, please contact us at contact@memorialhealthswok.com.