Many of us look forward to summer all year long. Trips to the beach, hanging out by the pool, and just generally spending a lot of time outdoors. While we enjoy these activities and want you to enjoy them too, it’s important to know that they come with some risk of too much exposure to the sun that could lead to skin cancer.
We encourage education about skin cancer all year long, but now is an especially good time to talk about it, become more aware, and make changes if necessary. In this blog, we will share some basic information about what you should know about skin cancer and how we can help.
Skin Cancer Facts to Know
Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It affects more than one million Americans every year. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life. While that may be alarming, the most important thing to understand is that skin cancers are typically curable if caught early.
Here are a few more facts about skin cancer:
- More people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year than all other cancers combined.
- Men under age 49 have a higher probability of developing melanoma than any other cancer.
- Women under age 49 are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer, with the exception of breast and thyroid cancers.
- Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.
- Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin, including areas not commonly exposed to the sun, such as soles of the feet, between the toes, buttocks, and the genital area.
Dr. Rodgers at Rodgers Dermatology has been treating skin cancer for years, often finding skin cancers during a routine skin exam. Many times, the patient has not even noticed the problem area. This is part of the reason why regular self-exams and visits to the dermatologist are crucial, especially for those who have had skin cancer in the past, as there is a higher risk of developing a new skin cancer.
Most skin cancers are composed of three different types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma
This is the most common form of skin cancer. Basal cells reside in the deepest layer of the epidermis where you also find hair follicles and sweat ducts. When you are overexposed to ultraviolet B-rays (UVB) radiation, it damages your body’s natural repair system and causes basal cell carcinomas to grow. These tend to be slow-growing tumors that rarely metastasize (spread). Basal cell carcinomas can present in several ways:
- Raised pink or pearly white bumps with a pearly edge and small, visible blood vessels
- Pigmented bumps that look like moles with a pearly edge
- Sore that continuously heals and reopens
- Flat scaly scar with a waxy appearance and blurred edges
Even with these different appearances of the cancer, they all tend to bleed with little or no cause. Eighty-five percent of basal cell carcinomas occur on the face and neck since these are areas that are most exposed to the sun.
Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include having fair skin, sun exposure, age (most skin cancers occur after age 50), exposure to ultraviolet radiation (from tanning beds), and therapeutic radiation given to treat an unrelated health issue.
Diagnosing basal cell carcinoma requires a biopsy. It may be excisional, which means we remove the entire tumor along with some of the surrounding tissue. The biopsy may also be incisional, which involves only removing part of the tumor.
There are several treatment options for basal cell carcinoma including cryosurgery; curettage and desiccation; Mohs Micrographic Surgery; prescription medicated creams, radiation therapy; and surgical excision.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cells are found in the upper layer, or surface, of the epidermis. They look like fish scales under a microscope and present as a crusted or scaly patch of skin with an inflamed, red base. They are often tender to the touch.
Squamous cell carcinoma can develop anywhere, including inside the mouth and on the genitalia. It most frequently appears on the scalp, face, ears, and back of hands. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to develop among fair-skinned, middle-aged, and elderly people who have a history of sun exposure.
Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed with a biopsy — either excisional or incisional. Treatments for squamous cell carcinoma tend to be the same as those for basal cell carcinoma that are listed above.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, but it is by far the most virulent. Melanocytes are cells found in the bottom layer of the epidermis. These cells produce melanin, the substance responsible for skin pigmentation. This is why melanomas often present as dark brown or black spots on the skin. Melanomas spread rapidly to internal organs and the lymph system, making them quite dangerous. Early detection is critical for curing this skin cancer.
Most melanomas are caused by overexposure to the sun beginning in childhood. This cancer also runs in families.
As with the other two types of skin cancers, melanoma is diagnosed via biopsy. Treatments include surgical removal, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Early Detection of Skin Cancer: What to Look For
With all three types of skin cancer, early detection is crucial. The key here is noticing changes in your skin, such as:
- Large brown spots with darker speckles located anywhere on the body
- Dark lesions on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fingertips toes, mouth, nose, or genitalia
- Translucent pearly and dome-shaped growths
- Existing moles that begin to grow, itch, or bleed
- Brown or black streaks under the nails
- A sore that repeatedly heals and reopens
- Clusters of slow-growing scaly lesions that are pink or red
As an additional helpful tool, we want to share the “ABCDE” guide from the American Academy of Dermatology. This can be useful in assessing whether or not a mole or other lesion is possible becoming cancerous.
Asymmetry: Half of the mole does not match the other half in size, shape or color.
Border: The edges of the mole are irregular or blurred.
Color: The mole is not the same color throughout.
Different: The mole does not look similar to other moles on the body.
Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or color, becoming larger, or bleeding.
If any of this occurs, please make an appointment to see us at Rodgers Dermatology right away.
Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention
We should all start out with the goal to prevent skin cancer first and foremost, and this is very doable in most cases. Approximately 90% of nonmelanoma cancers are attributable to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Some of the most important things you can do for prevention include:
- Stay out of the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Cover arms and legs with protective clothing.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Use sunscreens year-round with an SPF of 15 or greater and sunblocks that work on both UVA and UVB rays. (Look for products that use the term “broad spectrum.”)
- Check your skin monthly and contact your dermatologist if you notice any changes.
- Get regular skin examinations. We advise that adults over 40 have an annual exam with a dermatologist.
Annual exams and skin examinations at Rodgers Dermatology can help us detect skin cancer early. These appointments will be quick, painless, and usually covered by insurance. If we detect a suspicious mole or other areas, a biopsy is a quick and easy method of evaluating it further. If you have any concerns about skin cancer, contact us right now to make an appointment.