May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As the most common type of cancer in the United States, it’s a vital concern throughout the year. But, as most types of the disease are related to sun exposure, it should be a top priority as we head into the summer months.
Two of the most common skin cancer types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Another more aggressive type is melanoma, which carries greater risk of metastasizing to tissues in other areas of the body. Still, if untreated, any skin cancer can invade deeper tissues and spread to structures like the lymph nodes.
Skin cancer commonly occurs on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. These include the scalp, face, lips and ears, as well as the arms, back of the hands, back and legs. People with fairer skin and lighter eyes are at higher risk of skin cancer. However, it can also impacts people with deeper skin tones. For people with Black or brown skin, the disease more often occurs in places that don’t typically get sun exposure, such as the palms of the hands, genitals or even under the fingernails or toenails.
THE SIGNS OF SKIN CANCER
Skin cancer often looks like a new growth or sore that won’t heal. Regularly check your skin for changes and consult your doctor or a dermatologist if you have any concerns.
the ABCDEs of checking for skin cancer
Asymmetry: One half of a mole does not match the other half.
Border: The edges are ragged, blurred or irregular.
Color: The color is not the same throughout, or it has shades of multiple colors.
Diameter: The diameter is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
Elevation: It becomes raised after being flat, or it changes over a short period of time.
other concerning symptoms
- Pink or brown lesions that may signal basal cell or squamous cell cancers, or ‘amelanotic’ pink lesions that may be melanoma
- Dark brown or black lesions that also may indicate melanoma
- Symptoms like itching or bleeding from a lesion
SUN PROTECTION
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting the amount of sun exposure you receive. Protect yourself by regularly applying a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people only apply 25% to 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. You should use enough to cover any skin that isn’t clothed. For adults, that generally means one ounce, which is enough to fill a shot glass. Regardless of how high the SPF is, reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. If you use a cosmetic product that includes sun protection like a BB or CC cream, it needs to be regularly reapplied as well. UV rays can pass through clouds, so use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
other tips
- Avoid the sun during peak hours. Generally, this is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing like shirts with long sleeves, pants, sunglasses and hats.
- Be careful around water, snow and sand. They reflect sunlight and can increase the risk of sunburn.
- Use a lip balm or lipstick that contains SPF protection because skin cancer also can form on your lips.
- Don’t use tanning beds because they also give off ultraviolet light.
SKIN CANCER BY THE NUMBERS
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
- Approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
- More than 1 million Americans are living with melanoma.
- An estimated 212,200 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2025.
- Experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases one’s melanoma risk by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68%.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Dermatology