Don’t Risk It: Know the Signs of Skin Cancer

Understanding Skin Cancer

There are a variety of types of skin cancer. Some of the most common include:

• Melanoma – This cancer starts in the melanocytes, the cells that make skin pigment color. With melanoma, these cells become cancerous.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma – This type of skin cancer starts in the basal cells, which are a type of cell within the skin that produce new skin cells as old cells die off and shed. Basal Cell Carcinoma often appears on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. 
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma – People who have used tanning beds or experienced extreme sun exposure can be predisposed to this type of skin cancer, which starts as a growth of cells on the skin. 

Specific Risk Factors

While it’s important to note that anyone can get skin cancer, there are specific risk factors that can increase the odds. These include:

• Fair skin tone
• Blond or red hair
• Blue or green eyes
• Family history
• Certain types of moles and/or a large number of moles
• Older age
• Excessive sun exposure

Like all cancers, early detection can save lives. Melanoma in particular can spread quickly and aggressively to other organs. Early detection allows cancer specialists to develop a course of action that has the best chance of diminishing or removing cancer.

Talk with your dermatologist or primary care provider about the right frequency for skin exams, and be diligent about watching for unusual features on your skin at home.

Common Signs and Symptoms 

Make sure to address any notable or concerning changes in your skin with your physician. Common signs and symptoms of skin cancer include:

• Changes in moles, including size, shape, color and border irregularities
• New moles or growths on the skin
• Sores that don’t heal or bleed
• Itching, tenderness or pain in a mole or growth on the skin

Self-Examination Guidelines

Fortunately, keeping diligent tabs on your skin’s health can easily be accomplished at home in addition to your scheduled visits with your dermatologist. Make it a point to conduct frequent skin self-exams. The American Cancer Society recommends these steps:

1. In a well-lit room, face a mirror and start by checking your face, ears, neck, chest, torso and, for women, the skin underneath the breasts. 
2. Look in the underarm area and on both sides of your arms. Check the tops and palms of your hands, in between your fingers and under your fingernails. 
3. Now sit down and take a close look at the tops of your thighs, shins, tops of your feet, in between your toes and under your toenails. 
4. Grab a hand mirror and check your calves, bottoms of your feet and backs of the thighs, starting with one leg and then moving to the other. 
5. Still with the hand mirror, look closely at hard-to-see spots where moles and irregularities might go undetected, including the buttocks, genital area, upper and lower back and the back of the neck and ears (including behind them). 
6. Run a comb through sections of hair to create parts where you can check your scalp. 

While your doctor can provide the best guidance on how often to do skin exams at home, making the effort once a month is a good, proactive rule of thumb. 

When to See a Dermatologist

Regular at-home skin checks are a great way to stay on top of your skin’s health, however, seeing your dermatologist on a regular basis is another key ingredient to preventing skin cancer or catching it early. 

Dermatologists have advanced detection methods and tools that can catch signs of actinic keratoses (precancers) and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. They can take biopsies of concerning moles or lesions and have them tested for skin cancer. Much like your personal skin screening, they take a close look at your entire body, sometimes with a specialized microscope, and flag anything concerning.

Prevention Tips

One of the biggest, most important, and easiest things you can do to help prevent skin cancer is protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Whether you’re gearing up for the beach or the ski hill, these year-round sun protection strategies are key to keeping your skin healthy:

• Wear sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and waterproof if you’ll be actively sweating or in the water. Reapply at least every two hours, more frequently if you’re in and out of the water. 
• Opt for long-sleeved, sun-protective clothing that’s tightly knit.
• Seek shade to give your skin a break from the sun. 

Understand UV Light

Understanding the UV index is another great way to stay informed. The Ultraviolet Index was developed in 1994 by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This scale helps Americans determine the risk of spending time in the sun, and is often included with weather tracking apps or via local weather stations. The index was modified in 2004 when it became the Global Solar UV Index with the following scale:

• Low (green): 1 – 2
• Moderate (yellow): 3 – 5
• High (orange): 6 – 7
• Very High (red): 8 – 10
• Extreme (violet): 11+

The EPA puts forth these guidelines for each index number:

• Low
  • Wear sunglasses on bright days. In winter, reflection off snow can nearly double UV strength.
  • If you burn easily, cover up and use sunscreen.
• Moderate
  • Take precautions, such as covering up and using sunscreen, if you will be outside.
  • Stay in shade near midday when the sun is strongest.
• High
  • Protection against sunburn is needed. 
  • Reduce time in the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.
  • Cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses and use sunscreen.
• Very High
  • Take extra precautions. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn quickly.
  • Try to avoid the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Otherwise, seek shade, cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses and use sunscreen.
• Extreme
  • Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes. Beachgoers should know that white sand and other bright surfaces, including snow, reflect UV and will increase UV exposure.
  • Avoid the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.
  • Seek shade, cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses and use sunscreen. 

There are additional factors that affect the UV Index, including cloud cover, ozone, time of day (UV radiation peaks midday when the sun is highest in the sky), land cover such as trees, altitude (UV increases about 2% for every 1,000 feet in elevation due to thinner mountain air), seasons and characteristics of the Earth’s surface, such as sand, snow and water. 

Resources for Further Reading

Being as informed as possible about skin cancer is a great way to stay on top of it, including tips, dangers and preventive measures. Here are some great resources for learning more:

• The EPA’s Guide to the UV Index
• American Cancer Society – Skin Cancer
• Skin Cancer Foundation
• National Cancer Institute – Skin Cancer
• American Academy of Dermatology – How to Prevent Skin Cancer

Conclusion

With proper protection, attention and prevention—the sun doesn’t have to be scary. Making sure your skin is appropriately covered up and that you’re keeping a close eye on changes to your skin are excellent ways to stay ahead of abnormalities. Talk to your doctor to learn more about additional ways you can safely play outside without risking overexposure.