How Early Detection of Skin Cancer Makes a Difference
February 28, 2023
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, so it is most important to take steps to protect yourself against its potential development as well to detect its presence as a precancer or cancerous growth.
“At its earliest stages, even small changes in your skin can be signs of developing lesions,” says Dr. Michael Steppie, Mohs cancer surgeon and president of Associates in Dermatology. “It’s important to watch for any suspicious changes to your skin that do not go away quickly on their own. Not only does early detection reduce your risk of cancer spreading, but it also results in more effective treatments for better outcomes.”
Knowing when to seek medical care is essential to ensure that you are taking proactive steps towards keeping yourself safe from skin cancer. Detected early, even the deadliest forms of skin cancer usually can be successfully treated.
Just Ask the President and First Lady...
First Lady Jill Biden recently underwent cancer surgery after a cancerous growth was detected above her eye during a routine skin check. The location was not surprising to the dermatologists at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The delicate skin that surrounds the eyes is particularly vulnerable to sun damage from harmful ultraviolet rays. Due to ultraviolet exposure, non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are commonly diagnosed and treated on facial areas of skin.
According to Kevin O’Connor, DO and Physician to the President, dermatologists at Walter Reed recommended Mohs surgery to remove and examine a small lesion above her right eye. The micrographic procedure confirmed that the lesion was basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell is the most common type of skin cancer and represents about 80 % of the skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. annually. During her pre-operative examination, additional lesions identified on her chest and eyelid were consistent with basal cell and were also excised using Mohs surgery.
NOTE: During the writing of this blog, the First Lady’s husband Joe Biden was also diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. As the President of the United States, Biden joined the 3.6 million Americans diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer every year. It is slow growing and does not normally spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. The lesion was detected during the President’s annual physical and excised from the President’s chest without complications. The Bidens have long been strong advocates in support of finding cures for all forms of cancer.
What is Mohs Surgery and How It Works
Mohs surgery, an innovative and precise technique to remove skin cancer, was developed in the late 1930s by surgeon Frederic Mohs. Today, the procedure is the Gold Standard and requires only local anesthesia so patients remain awake throughout the process; however it does involve multiple steps including minimal incisions of suspicious tissue. Immediately after removal, the lab examines the sample under a microscope for real-time margin status visibility to ensure malignant tumor edges are successfully removed with less scarring and more cosmetically acceptable outcomes.
Thin layers of tissue were removed in stages with real-time analysis from the lab at Walter Reed to confirm when Dr. Biden’s tissue samples were deemed to be cancer free. The lesion on the First Lady’s eyelid was benign but the other suspicious skin growth was basal cell carcinoma and was successfully removed. Early detection and treatment using Mohs surgery is 99% effective; however left untreated surgery later on would be more dangerous and potentially disfiguring with increased risk of tissue damage or blindness.
Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics*
In the United States, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined and actinic keratosis (the most common precancer) affects more than 58 million Americans annually. Listed below are other alarming skin cancer facts:
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
- More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a proven human carcinogen.
- Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
- Estimated 5,420 men and 2,570 women will die of melanoma in 2023.
- Detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is second most common form of skin cancer.
- 15,000 people die of squamous cell skin cancer in the U.S. each year.
It is estimated that 90% of skin aging is caused by sun exposure but people who use sunscreen show less signs of aging than those who do not apply sunscreen on a daily basis. Contrary to some beliefs, sun damage is cumulative and more than 75% of your lifetime sun exposure occurs after 18 years of age.
*Source Skin Cancer Foundation
Routine Skin Checks Provide Peace of Mind
“Keeping a close eye on your skin can give you greater peace of mind, and if needed, improves your chance for successful treatment,” Steppie adds. “Most importantly the daily use of sunscreen and other forms of UV protection can greatly reduce your risks of developing precancers and skin cancer.”
Although the First Lady’s recent case serves as a reminder that early detection and treatment can be simple, routine skin checks are particularly important for adults over age 50, as well as those with weakened immune systems who may face an increased risk of the disease spreading throughout the body. During her time at The White House, Mrs. Biden has made ending cancer a personal goal, as four of her friends were afflicted by breast cancer and she tragically lost her step son Beau from brain cancer.
According to an article published by Harvard Medical School in Harvard Health, you should not depend just on using sunscreen as your best strategy. It is also important for you to avoid sun exposure when possible. Sun protective clothing has become increasingly popular and provides added protection along with opting for shade when your are outdoors. Remember sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours as they tend to easily be sweated or washed off.
To schedule your next skin check, call 800-827-7546 or use this website’s convenient Contact Us form to schedule your next appointment online at one of our fifteen dermatology offices in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Celebration, Clermont, Davenport, Dr. Philips, Hunter's Creek, Kissimmee, Lake Wales, Mount Dora, Ocoee, Poinciana, Sanford, or St. Cloud.
