skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer annually. While we are learning a lot about the disease and how to treat it, the best course of action is preventing it. Many skin cancers develop from precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, and dermatologists perform procedures and prescribe medications that “search and destroy” these lesions before they turn into cancer.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer annually, so it is appropriate that we continue to identify the best treatments possible. But when it comes to actually preventing skin cancer, we mostly know only about the basic rules – use sunscreen, stay out of the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats, etc. 

But dermatologists can offer effective topical skin cancer preventives that find and destroy precancerous cells, stopping the disease in its tracks before it takes hold. These noninvasive therapies not only prevent potential cancers from developing, they may also soften lines and wrinkles at the same time. 

Which state has the highest per capita prevalence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer? A good guess may be Florida or the sun-drenched states of the Southwest, but it’s actually Oregon. Even in a state with months of overcast skies and drizzle, skin cancer is a pervasive and potentially deadly disease.

Melanoma is a comparatively rare but deadly form of skin cancer. Although melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases, it causes nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 68,700 cases will be diagnosed and that more than 8,600 people will die from the disease in 2009. In the US, the percentage of people who develop melanoma has more than doubled in the past 30 years, but the rate has remained steady since 2000.

Skin cancer is now the most prevalent form of cancer in America. The common belief is that skin cancer primarily affects older individuals who have had decades of exposure to the sun. However, we are now finding that skin cancer is skewing to a younger demographic. The reasons are not entirely clear, but we can speculate as to the causes. In my practice, I’m treating skin cancer more frequently among people as young as 25.

The skin, our largest organ, is our first layer of protection against infection and disease. So keeping skin protected is critical to promoting overall health and wellness. That’s why shielding skin from the harmful rays of the sun is such an important line of defense.

It is now common knowledge that overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage, lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as cancer. What is not fully understood is how this damage occurs and how to adequately protect against it. So it is helpful to learn more about the two forms of ultraviolet light that we are routinely exposed to in the sun – UVB and UVA rays – and how to interpret sunscreens’ SPF ratings as a guide to self-care.

We all know that it is best to avoid sunburns by using sunscreens and staying out of the sun during peak hours – important considerations for long-term skin health and skin-cancer prevention. But sometimes things happen. A forgotten hat, thinking you’re protected from the sun’s rays under your beach umbrella, neglecting to reapply sunscreen after a swim – everyday experiences like these can lead to a nasty sunburn and the pain that comes along with the characteristically red skin. 

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.