Cancer Awareness

Skin Cancer Awareness

Skin cancer is a lifestyle disease, affecting the young, old and everyone in between. One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime.

An estimated 112,000 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026. An estimated 8,510 people will die of melanoma in 2026. Melanoma accounts for less than 1% of skin cancer cases, but the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun.

While basal and squamous cell cancers are less likely than melanoma to spread and become life-threatening, they should be identified and treated early. If not, they can grow and invade nearby tissues and organs, causing scarring, deformity or even loss of function.

You can use these tools to learn more.

Risk factors

While anyone can develop skin cancer, you are at greater risk if you have any of these factors:

Fair skin that freckles easily and burns before tanning
Light-colored hair and eyes
Large number of moles or moles of unusual size or shape
Family and/or personal history of skin cancer
Personal history of blistering sunburns
Live or vacation at high altitudes (UV ray strength increases at higher altitudes)
Spend excessive time outdoors working or playing
An autoimmune disease, such as lupus
Had an organ transplant
A weakened immune system, such as that caused by HIV
Take medicines that suppress your immune system or make your skin more sensitive to sunlight

Prevention

Find your place in the shade.

For a lifetime of healthy and beautiful skin, avoid a place in the sun and opt for the shade. In addition to preventing skin cancer, follow these recommendations:

Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of 6 months.
Cover your skin with long sleeves, broad-brimmed hats and scarves.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
Remain in the shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses.
Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
Do not burn.

Skin Cancer FAQ

Medical oncologist Gary Doolittle, MD, answers frequently asked questions about skin cancer.

Dr. Gary Doolittle, medical oncologist, The University of Kansas Health System

(Signs of possible melanoma)
If you have a mole that evolves or changes, any mole that bleeds or itches, that's a sign that you should be evaluated.

(Signs of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma)
Those often times present as just newer lesions on the skin, newer spots on the skin. They can be crusty. They can itch.

(Ways to protect)
The biggest risk times during the day are between 10 and noon, but also 10 to 4. So protect yourself. Sunblock, some protective clothing, sunglasses, cap, hat. Just avoid that direct exposure. And when you are out, seek the shade if you can.

(Moderation)
I usually encourage patients to do what they normally do and enjoy outside activities but protect yourself.

(Who's at risk)
The blonde, blue-eyed person is at greater risk. Red hair, blue-eyed again, patients that have more than 50 moles, patients that have a family history of skin cancer, all are at greater risk.

(Myths)
I think it's a common misunderstanding that if you're darker complected, you can't get burned, and that's not true.

(Sunscreen recommendations)
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunblock with an SPF of 30 or greater. The big issue with that is making sure you apply it thoroughly and often, every 2 hours. And if you're in the water, it may be, even if you have quote water resistant sunblock, it may be good for only 40 minutes.

(Are sunscreens safe?)
We know that barrier blocks like zinc oxide, also titanium dioxide, those are two agents that we know are safe. The others that are present in products in this country right now have been tested and we know that the body can absorb them. But what we don't know is that that's harmful.

(Best advice)
The bottom line is if there's any question about something new, get to your dermatologist or your primary care practitioner and point it out.

Your role in early detection

By examining your skin, you can catch potentially dangerous conditions while they are still treatable.

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas may begin as:

A small, white or pink nodule or bump with a smooth and shiny, waxy or pitted surface
A red spot that is rough, dry or scaly
A firm, red lump that may form a crusted group of nodules
A sore that bleeds and does not heal after two to four weeks
A white patch that looks like scar tissue

Melanoma warning signs

Melanoma is usually signaled by a change in the size, shape or color of an existing mole or as a new growth. Watch for the ABCDE warning signs:

A is for Asymmetry
One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
B is for Border
Edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
C is for Color
Color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue.
D is for Diameter
Spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
E is for Evolution
Mole is changing in size, shape, color or border.

If you have these warning signs, have your skin checked by your doctor.

Learn more

By knowing your risk factors and having regular screenings, you can avoid skin cancer. If you have questions or want to request a skin cancer screening, please call 913-588-1227.