Make May Your Skin Check Month

May 18, 2022

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All skin tones can burn due to sun exposure. The good news is, when diagnosed early, all types of skin cancer can be promptly treated and often easily cured.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the time you can help save lives by spreading the word. According to the Skin Cancer Foundations, over five million skin cancer cases are diagnosed every year in the United States. Whereas most forms of skin cancer today are easily treated, there will be about 100,000 new cases of melanoma that need to be diagnosed as early as possible. With melanoma rates rising, seven thousand of those new cases will prove deadly. Of the three primary types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma), basal cell accounts for approximately 80% of all occurrences.

Non-melanoma skin cancers rarely spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body but melanoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can invade nearby tissue. Where melanoma is more common in men of fair complexion, all races and sexes can have the potentially deadly form of skin cancer. “That’s why the first Monday in May was set aside as Melanoma Monday,” explained Michael Steppie. Melanoma and most other skin cancers are preventable by protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. “The entire month is dedicated to helping people promote skin cancer awareness throughout our communities. Since everybody spends time outside, every May should be check your skin month,” added Dr. Steppie.

Exposure is Number One Cause of Skin Cancer

There’s no doubt that skin type does have a lot to do with increased risks. That means people with fair skin, light hair, and light-colored eyes are at a greater risk for skin cancer and should always use optimal skin protection as well as avoid excessive sun exposure. Since overexposure to sunlight can result in blistering sunburns, it is equally as important to protect children of all ages and help them avoid sun damage as they age. It is also prudent to plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon. Moreover, anytime you are outside use a broad-spectrum sunscreen or sunblock with good UV protection. That includes wearing a hat to protect the scalp, nose, and ears, which are common spots where lesions develop. Time at a tanning salon is also a primary risk factor.

Actinic keratoses are caused by ultraviolet damage to the skin and are the most common form of precancer. These often appear as a small, dry, scaly patch of skin on sun-exposed areas of the face, lips, ears, scalp, shoulders, neck, hands and arms. The lesions are fairly easy to spot and often have a rough texture. AKs as they are called are easily treated and removed, which reduces the person’s risk of it developing into a squamous cell carcinoma. Dermatologists believe AKs are evidence of sustained sun damage. “If there is any mole or lesion that you are worried about, May is the perfect time to see a dermatologist,” Steppie added. “Even if it turns out to be nothing, your doctor can remove anything that looks suspicious.”

Spread Awareness About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer starts when affected cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Since many cells throughout the body can become cancerous, early detection is critical to avoid spread to other parts of the body. Although melanoma occurs less frequently, it is by far a more dangerous form of skin disease. Most skin cancers do start in the epidermis (the upper layer of skin), and the most common types that are discussed below can be caught early through routine skin checks:

1. Actinic Keratosis – AKs are precancerous lesions that are generally found on sun-exposed areas of the skin. When diagnosed early, most AKs can be promptly removed at the dermatologist’s office, but when left undiagnosed, some AKs may progress as squamous cell carcinoma. See warning signs and images of Actinic Keratosis at the Skin Cancer Foundation.
2. Basal Cell Carcinoma – The most common form of skin cancer with over 3.6 million cases of basal cell carcinoma diagnosed each year in the United States. Almost all BCC skin cancers can be removed without complications when detected and treated early. So, watch for new, changing or unusual skin growths. See warning signs and images for Basal Cell Carcinoma at the Skin Cancer Foundation.
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Incidences of squamous cell carcinoma have increased about two hundred percent over the past thirty years with an estimated 1.8 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. annually. SCC skin cancers are often thick, rough, scaly patches that often crust and bleed. See warning signs and images for Squamous Cell Carcinoma at the Skin Cancer Foundation
4. Melanoma – Melanoma can begin in an existing mole or form as a new skin lesion and is usually found on the torso in men, the legs in women, or the back of either sex. An estimated 197,700 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022. Late-stage melanoma diagnoses are more prevalent among Hispanic and Black patients than non-Hispanic white patients. Learn more about the “ABCDEs” of melanoma, warning signs and images at the Skin Cancer Foundation.
5. Merkel Cell Carcinoma – Although quite rare, Merkel cell carcinomas are often aggressive and can advance rapidly, so early detection and treatment can save lives. Approximately 3,000 new cases of Merkel cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Learn about the “AEIOU” characteristics, warning signs and images for Merkel cell carcinoma at the Skin Cancer Foundation.

When left undetected and untreated, any type of skin cancer can become advanced and may spread to other parts of the body. As part of a complete early detection strategy, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you see a dermatologist once a year, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full-body, professional skin exam.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

Since one blistering sunburn can double your chances of developing melanoma later in life, the following tips and guidelines will help you limit your exposure to damaging UV rays and reduce your risk of developing a serious skin condition:

• Remember that all skin types can develop skin cancer, including people who tan easily or have naturally dark skin.
• Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin – even on cloudy days – year round.
• Use a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Apply approximately one ounce of sunscreen (a shot-glassful) 15 minutes before sun exposure.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat (preferably sun-protective clothing, accessories and swimwear carrying a UPF 50+ label), and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Seek shade when possible. The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Water, snow and sand reflect and magnify the damaging rays of the sun, increasing your chance of sunburn. Especially during peak hours while at the beach, stay in the shade from an umbrella carrying a UPF 50+.
• Avoid tanning beds – there is no way to get a tan through UV exposure without increasing the risk for skin cancer. Using a tanning bed before age 35 increases your risk for melanoma by 75 percent.
• Be aware that certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
• Sun-proof your car windows with UVA-filtering window glass or film.

Source: Melanoma Research Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology.

Having five or more sunburns during your lifetime doubles your risk for melanoma. Should you notice something new on your skin or see something that has been there but is changing or looks unusual, it could be skin cancer and should be checked by a dermatologist. Remember, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other forms of cancer combined.

For serious burns with blistering red skin, you should immediately seek the advice of a dermatologist. Overexposure can happen but it’s important to stop it from happening again. Since May is everyone’s skin check month, schedule your check today and help spread the word about skin cancer prevention in your community.