Don't Let UV Fry Your Skin This Summer

Observed each May with the wearing of the official black cancer ribbon, the month features key initiatives like Melanoma Monday and Don't Fry Day. Plus, it also marks the start of the summer season and emphasizes the importance of practicing sun-safe habits whenever you’re headed outdoors. While basal and squamous cell carcinomas are far more common, melanoma is targeted because the highly aggressive skin cancer is much more likely to spread if left untreated.

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer in the U.S. If you have skin cancer, it is important to know which type you have, as it affects your treatment options and overall prognosis. This is where routine self-exams at home each month and professional dermatological exams each year help to allow for early removal of skin cancers before the cancer can spread. Melanoma Monday is always on the first Monday in May just to get the ball rolling for your summertime fun by reminding everybody to perform monthly self-exams.

Don't Fry Day is celebrated annually as a public awareness campaign that is held on the Friday before Memorial Day. Designated by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, it is now a coalition of more than 45 organizations. This year Don’t Fry Day will be Friday, May 22, just days before the most popular outdoor federal Holiday that traditionally welcomes the onset of summer. Its purpose is to encourage skin cancer awareness by reminding everyone to protect their skin from harmful ultraviolet rays whenever outdoors by practicing sun protection.

Are You at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Everyone is at some risk for skin cancer. However, each individual’s specific skin cancer risk level depends upon their personal (and family) history, genetics, and sun (UV) exposure from childhood throughout life. If you have fair skin with natural blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes with less melanin (a natural sunshield), or commonly sunburn more easily than your friends, these are common risk factors used to gauge a person’s likelihood of developing skin cancer. Certainly those with more frequent sun exposure and anyone who has a history of blistering sunburns have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. In addition, anyone with lots of moles, unusually large ones (bigger than a pencil eraser), or atypical moles have an increased risk for melanoma. Moreover, if you have had skin cancer or if a close family member has had melanoma, share this information with your dermatologist, as risks of having skin cancer could be elevated.

*NOTE: Regardless of whether you have any of the skin cancer risk factors listed above, it is important to manage your skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation to lower your overall chances. After all, about 90% of all non-melanoma skin cancers are linked to UV exposure. In addition, because tanning beds emit highly concentrated UV rays that are up to three times stronger than sunlight, 10 minutes in a tanning bed is the equivalent of a couple of hours of midday summer sun. Additionally, research suggests tanning bed exposure does increase the risk of melanoma and especially when used regularly before age 35.

ABCDE Guide for Recognizing Warning Signs

The ABCDE Rule is a simple guide that helps you remember the primary warning signs of this serious type of skin cancer. Dermatologists most often recommend it for patients to use when looking for the early warning signs of malignant melanoma during their self-exams:

• Asymmetry: One half of the spot does not match the other half.
• Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, unevern, notched, or blurred.
• Color: The color is uneven and may include different shades of brown, black, or patches of pink to red.
• Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters, which is about the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or elevation, or it develops symptoms like itching or bleeding.

Monitoring your skin regularly for these five warning signs during self-exams can be critical for early diagnosis and management of the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If you notice any changing or suspicious skin lesions, it is essential to have them evaluated by a medical professional.

Melanoma skin cancer starts in melanocytes...

Although melanoma only accounts for a single-digit percentage of all types of skin cancer, it is much more likely to metastasize and spread to other parts of the body and has the highest death rate of 8,290+ lives each year. While most cases of melanoma are sporadic and caused by UV exposure from the sun, familial melanoma is often diagnosed at a much younger age and is linked to families with a history of atypical moles or pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, according to UT MD Anderson, melanoma has become one of the most frequently occurring cancers in adults age 20 to 30, and is the main cause of cancer death in women 25 to 30 years old. In addition, melanoma is commonly seen in fair-skinned men around the trunk and in fair-skinned women on their lower legs. Whereas dark-skinned people have significantly lower risk of developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma more frequently appears on their palms, soles and under the nails. Experts say nine out of ten cases of melanoma are considered to be preventable.

WHERE CUTANEOUS MALIGNANT MELANOMA CAN HIDE

As you might have noticed, your skin is your body’s largest organ and tends to develop various growths throughout your life. That said benign cutaneous melanoma on the skin are typically localized, grow slowly, have a smooth regular border, and do not spread, while common cutaneous malignancies rarely spread to other parts of the body. Although less common, cutaneous malignant melanoma is much more aggressive and can spread if not diagnosed and treated early. Here’s some common and less-obvious places that types of melanoma can hide:

• Cutaneous Melanoma – Superficial spreading melanoma accounts for about 70% of all diagnosed occurrences and may look like a freckle or mole spreading sideways. It can grow, darken, lighten, may itch, or develop irregular borders. Nodular melanoma is more common in adult males over 60 but can suddenly appear at any age.
• Pediatric & AYA Melanoma – Although the most dangerous form of skin cancer is quite rare in pediatric, adolescent and young adults, it makes up about 7% of all cancers in 15 to 19 year olds. The National Cancer Institute estimates about 500 children a year are treated and it may or may not look like the adult form. Sun protection is essential through one’s teen years.
• Ocular Melanoma – This form is most often detected by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist during a dilated eye exam, especially after the tumor is large enough to blur or distort the patient’s vision. OM is most common eye cancer in adults and the second most common type that begins in melanocytes and tends to spread in about half of the cases seen.
• Mucosal Melanoma – Although mucosal melanoma is rare, it is serious and forms in moist inner surface of the body, such as the mouth, nose, throat, anus, vagina, or cervix. Each of these areas contain pigment producing cells that can become cancerous; but unlike most mucosal melanoma is not related to sun exposure and is most often seen in those of Asian descent.
• Acral Melanoma – Frequently seen in people of darker skin tones, acral melanoma (also called acral lentiginous melanoma) is a rarer form that appears on the hands, feet and under nails. Lentiginous describes the way this melanoma spreads in a flat layer across nail beds, palms and soles. It too is not caused by UV exposure and can be subtle in appearance.

You should consider that anything known to increase your chances of getting melanoma is indeed a risk factor. For example, if you have a history of sun damaged skin (especially peeling sunburns), that is a primary risk factor. This also means artificial sunlight from tanning beds carry the same ultraviolet risk as sunlight does. With that said, not everyone who has risk factors gets melanoma; but for those with multiple risk factors, it is recommended they schedule an examination with a dermatologist regardless of age, as melanoma rates have been rising in children since the 1970s and melanoma is the most common pediatric skin cancer.

_______________________

Since Florida receives such a high amount of UV radiation year-round, daily sun safety protection is necessary and routine skin checks with a dermatologist is highly recommended. Plus, your skin health and overall wellbeing depend heavily on your at-home routine self-exams. That way, if you notice spots or moles that are changing in size, shape, or color, or if you have a skin sore that doesn’t want to heal, you should consult a dermatologist immediately for a thorough diagnosis. Remember, Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness in May is just the beginning of getting outside and enjoying the natural beauty across the Sunshine State; and early detection of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, is the lesson to be learned since awareness is so important for the successful treatment of all types. Just call 800-827-7546 or schedule your appointment online at one of our sixteen Central Florida offices in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Celebration, Clermont, Davenport, Dr. Philips, Hunter's Creek, Kissimmee, Mount Dora, Ocoee, Poinciana, or St. Cloud.