Skin cancer is THE most common form of cancer in mankind. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. Skin cancer rates continue to rise, and some proven contributing factors are cumulative sun exposure, inadequate sun protection and sunscreen use, tanning bed use, and a history of sunburns.
There are various types of skin cancer, depending on which skin cell type they originate from, but the three most common, in order, are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Fortunately, the two most common types rarely spread into the body and have cure rates approaching 99% when treated early with Mohs Surgery. Melanoma is more likely to spread and is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but fortunately it is the least common of the three and still has excellent cure rates when detected and treated early.
The most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of skin cancer is to practice good sun safety habits, such as wearing sun protective clothing/barriers whenever possible, wearing a daily sunscreen on exposed areas of skin (e.g. face every day, all year round), and avoiding the sun during peak hours (i.e. 10am-4pm). Current guidelines recommend broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher sunscreens that are reapplied every 2 hours if you are outside for prolonged periods of time, sweating, or swimming.
The best way to detect skin cancer is to have a skin check at your dermatologist’s office, which is a great time to point out lesions your are concerned about -- such as spots that are changing colors, bleeding, itching, scaling, or otherwise symptomatic. Your dermatologist is well trained to identify lesions that may seem very subtle to the untrained eye, and may even find a different spot than you came in for. During your screening, here is some of what we will look for:
Basal Cell Carcinoma: pink, shiny, pearly lesions, “a pimple that won’t heal”, a spot that bleeds easily or bleeds without being picked at
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: scaly, crusty, red patches, open sores, “wart-like” growths, a spot that bleeds easily or bleeds without being picked at
Melanoma: odd-appearing moles, or moles that exhibit asymmetry, irregularity of borders, multiple colors within one mole or very dark colors, diameter > 6 mm, or moles that are evolving, changing or bleeding. See ABCD diagram above.
When identified through a biopsy, most skin cancers are treated in the office with surgical removal by a dermatologic surgeon. The most effective treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma is Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery has a 99% cure rate, spares normal tissue, and leaves the smallest scar possible. With Mohs surgery, there is an on-site lab allowing you same day results that all of your cancer has been removed. Melanoma is treated differently depending on how aggressive the tumor is. Early melanomas are treated in the office with surgical removal. If the tumor has penetrated deeper into the skin your dermatologist may refer you for a sentinel lymph node biopsy to make sure the melanoma has not spread to other parts of the body. With early detection and treatment melanoma can be very curable.
As you and your family enjoy the outdoors this spring and summer, remember these simple steps to protect yourselves. Get your skin checked. Wear your sunscreen and reapply. If a lesion is turning black, changing, or bleeding -- don’t wait. When it comes to skin cancer, early detection and treatment are the most important factors in having a good outcome and prognosis.