Health Update: Health Update: The most common types of skin cancer and their warning signs – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Sun exposure safety tips for summer: Video
Summer is here, so let’s talk about sunburn. A good sunscreen is important but that’s not all you need to guard against UV rays and sun damage.
Spots, bumps or patches that suddenly appear on your skin can be alarming, especially if they grow quickly, become red or irritated, or do not seem to heal. It can be difficult to tell whether it is something minor, like a pimple or mole, or something more serious, like skin cancer.
Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, it’s estimated as many as one in five Americans will develop it at some point in their life.
Thankfully, most dermatologists emphasize that most skin cancers are treatable when detected early. That’s why it is important to recognize the first signs and symptoms.
What causes skin cancer?
Exposure to ultraviolet rays is the leading cause of skin cancer in the United States. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so naturally it bears the brunt of UV emitted from the sun, Dr. Alice Zhou, an assistant professor of oncology at Washington University in St Louis, previously said.
People with lighter skin tones have a much greater risk of developing skin cancer than people with darker skin tones. However, there’s a misconception that people with darker skin tones can’t experience skin cancer, and that’s simply not true, Zhou said.
There’s many other risk factors for skin cancer, including but not limited to: A family history of skin cancer, tanning bed use, chronic inflammation, and having a weakened immune function, said Dr. Paul Nghiem, a professor and chair of dermatology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. There are even some rare forms of skin cancer, such as Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi sarcoma, that are primarily driven by viruses, noted Nghiem.
It’s also important to watch out for moles on the skin.
Skin cancer signs and how to identify each type
Skin cancer comes in many different forms: “The three main ones that we think about are Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (and) melanoma,” Dr. Elizabeth Berry, an associate professor of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University, previously said. Here are a few key signs to look out for:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): As the most common type of skin cancer, BCC accounts for 80% of all skin cancer diagnoses in the U.S., per AAD. Typically, BCC looks like a skin-colored, translucent bump that has a bit of shine. It could also present as a small pink patch that bleeds easily, Zhou said. Most BCCs appear on areas of the body that receive regular sun exposure (including the arms, head and neck). It isn’t a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer, and it’s usually very treatable, Berry said.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): The second most common skin cancer, SCC usually develops as a firm red bump that has a bit of crust in the center. They can sometimes resemble a wound, a burn scar or a sore that’s not healing properly, Berry said. It tends to have a scaly texture with bluff, ragged edges, Zhou said.
- Melanoma: Melanoma may only account for 1% of all skin cancers in the U.S., but it’s by far one of the most deadly. The fear with melanoma is that you could have it removed, but if one cancerous cell escapes, it could travel to somewhere else in the body and metastasize years later. Melanoma could easily be confused for just another benign mole, but they can take on a more ugly form as they evolve in size and shape. Very rarely, it could appear as a black or brown streak in the nail. At home, the earliest signs of melanoma can be identified with the “ABCDE” rule, Nghiem said. Per the AAD, see a dermatologist if a spot on your body is exhibiting any of the following signs:
- Asymmetry: One side of the spot is looking suspiciously different to the other.
- Border: The border around the spot has scalloped, irregular or poorly defined edges.
- Color: The spot contains various shades of black, brown, tan, white, red or blue.
- Diameter: The width of the spot is greater than 6 millimeters (approximately the size of a pencil eraser), although melanoma could be diagnosed at smaller sizes.
- Evolution: There are rapid changes to the size, shape or color of a new or existing spot. As melanoma grows, it can also develop itching, bleeding or pain.
Can skin cancer form in areas not exposed to the sun?
Skin cancer can absolutely appear in areas of the skin that tend to not get much sun exposure.
Acral melanoma, in particular, is a subset of melanoma that grows on the palms and soles. People with darker skin tones are particularly at risk for this type of skin cancer, Berry said. It’s also possible for melanoma to arise in mucosal areas, such as the mouth, eyes and genital skin, Zhou added.
How to prevent skin cancer
Skin cancer prevention starts with sunscreen. Make it part of your daily routine, no matter if it’s summer or winter. You should always wear sunscreen on any part of your body that could potentially be exposed to the sun, and during the winter, you should still be in the habit of applying sunscreen to your face daily, Nghiem said.
Select a broad spectrum sunscreen (ideally mineral-based) that’s at least 30 SPF, and be sure to reapply it every two hours. However, you shouldn’t rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself, Zhou said. Wear protective clothing, and try to stick to the shade during the midday sun (or whenever the UV is high), she added.
The bottom line: Skin cancer is treatable if caught early, and it’s always best to take the initiative to try and prevent it from forming full-stop. And of course, always be vigilant about checking if spots or moles are changing color − if you notice any new or unusual changes to your skin, it definitely warrants a check up with your dermatologist, Berry said.