May 2009

It can be difficult to determine if a mole on your body is a warning sign for skin cancer. Some patients come into my office worried about red moles on their skin because they look suspicious.

Red moles are often not true moles but instead are cherry hemangiomas. These round, bright red or purple spots are made up of blood vessels and are 1–4 mm in size. A person can have many cherry hemangiomas all over his or her body. These lesions are benign and do not necessarily need to be removed, though many patients have them removed for cosmetic reasons. If raised, they can become bothersome, and if they are scraped, bumped, or injured, they may bleed or become painful.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in humans, and greater than half of all new cancers diagnosed are skin cancers. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are respectively the first and second most common forms of skin cancer, and nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will be diagnosed with one of these types of cancer. These common cancers are usually found in the most sun-exposed parts of the body, appearing in the skin’s top layer as a scaly area or bump that doesn’t heal. They can occasionally bleed. If detected and treated early, these cancers have a greater than 95% cure rate.

Spend a day at the beach or pool, and you can’t miss the pervasive and unmistakable smell of sunblock products wafting through the air. Shelves in drug stores and supermarkets are crowded with “new and improved” potions, lotions, gels, creams, wipes, and sprays. But using sunblock only on beach or pool days isn’t enough. Make it an everyday habit – and not just a quick smear on your nose in the morning.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the greatest cause of the most common skin cancers. UV radiation, in the form of light, can come either from the sun or from indoor tanning beds. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers, by far the most common types of skin cancer, are directly related to the total dose of UV light that the skin receives over a lifetime of exposure.

Dermatologists are very concerned about you and your skin. See this month’s featured articles to understand more about skin cancer and how important early detection can be. And here’s some good news:

Dermatologists throughout the nation will perform free skin cancer screenings during the month of May. There is likely a location near you that will offer more information about the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer, as well as a free examination by a board certified dermatologist. Most of these are advertised in local newspapers or on television stations, but you can also find locations and times here.

As a melanoma survivor, I know that you don’t have to be a dermatologist or doctor to recognize skin cancer. Many skin cancer patients seeking treatment actually discover the cancer themselves. Studies have shown the earlier you identify skin cancer, the better your chance of long-term survival. Yet many people don't know how to properly check themselves for signs of skin cancer.

As spring days lengthen, we’re called back outside for walks and hikes, swimming, and lounging. And while that laze in the sun can feel awfully good, it comes with a potentially steep price. This is a reminder that you must be diligent about protecting your skin from the most harmful rays of the sun.