Skin Cancer

Accounting for half of all cancer in the U.S., newly diagnosed skin cancers exceed one million each year. That‘s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas combined. There are two types of skin cancers: non-melanomas (basal cell and squamous cell cancers) and melanomas. Non-melanomas are caused by lifetime sun exposure and are usually found on sun-exposed parts of the body. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body but in men the torso is the most common site, while for women, it’s the legs. While less common than basal cell and squamous cell cancers, melanomas are more aggressive and more likely to spread to other parts of the body. In fact, melanomas account for 79 percent of all skin cancer deaths, but only a small percentage of all diagnosed skin cancers.

Screening tests for skin cancer don’t involve blood work, x-rays or any invasive procedures. They simply involve viewing the skin for abnormalities. You can do this yourself at home, if you know what to look for. However, if you are at high risk for skin cancer, it’s also a good idea to have a dermatologist examine your skin periodically for changes.

Skin Cancer Self-Exam

Early detection can save your life when it comes to skin cancer, especially if you find a melanoma – the most dangerous type. Ninety-five percent of people who find a melanoma before it grows larger than one millimeter in thickness will be cured. If a melanoma grows to four millimeters, the chance for survival drops to less than 50 percent. Luckily, you can easily examine your skin once a month at home and report any abnormalities to your doctor.

The American Caner Society recommends the “Down and Back” method of self-examination:

• Start in front of a wall mirror. You should have a chair and a hand-held mirror. A good time for doing this is just after you step out of the shower.
• While standing, examine your face, chest and arms (both sides of the arms) and belly.
• Then, sit down to look at the front surfaces of your legs and feet. Use the mirror to examine the back of your legs and check out the soles of your feet.
• Stand up again and use the mirror to inspect your buttocks and upper back.
• Have a friend or spouse help with places that are hard for you to see, such as your back, he says.

You’re looking for changes in size, texture, shape or color in your birthmarks, moles and blemishes. You’re also looking for sores that don’t heal. Use the ABCD rule to help you identify spots to discuss with your doctor.

• A is for asymmetry: Half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other half.
• B is for border: Edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
• C is for color: The color isn't the same all over but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white or blue.
• D is for diameter: The area is larger than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger.

Risk Factors
Whether you have light or dark skin, you can suffer from skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Since UV rays from the sun and from tanning are the most common source of cancer-causing skin damage, do your best to protect your skin. Here are the factors that can raise your risk of developing skin cancer.

Ultraviolet ray exposure: Sunburn can raise your risk, but too much exposure to UV rays can raise your risk of cancer, whether or not you’ve been burnt.

Light-Toned Skin: People with lighter skin have a higher risk of skin cancer because their skin can be more easily damaged by UV ray exposure. Take especial care to protect yourself from the sun if you are blond or red-haired, or if your have freckles and burn before tanning.

Family History: If you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with skin cancer, especially melanoma, it raises your risk of developing the disease.

Moles: The presence of many moles, irregularly shaped moles, or large moles on your skin can increase your risk.

Previous Skin Cancer: If you’ve been diagnosed and treated for a skin cancer previously, the likelihood of developing another cancerous spot increases.

Frequent Outdoor Activities: People who work outdoors or who spend a great deal of time in outdoor recreational activities increase their amount of UV ray exposure, and consequently, their risk of skin cancer.

Take Certain Medications: Taking some medicines can raise your sensitivity to sunlight and, as a result, raise your risk of skin cancer. These medicines include oral contraceptives (birth control pills); medicines that lower your immunity; tetracycline, sulfa drugs or other antibiotics; naproxen sodium or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); phenothiazines (tranquilizers and antinausea drugs); thiazide diuretics (medicines used to treat high blood pressure and some heart conditions); tricyclic antidepressants; sulfonylureas (an oral anti-diabetic medication). Talk with your doctor to learn if any medicine you’re taking can be harmful to you if you’re exposed to sunlight.

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