The early detection of skin cancer is always top of mind at The Skin Cancer Foundation, but this is especially true during Skin Cancer Awareness Month. In May, we strive to remind the public to be on the lookout for suspicious spots on the skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone see a dermatologist annually for a professional skin exam. In addition, you should check your skin from head to toe carefully once a month because catching skin cancer early can be lifesaving.
When skin cancers are found and removed early, they are treatable and often curable. The three most common types are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and melanoma. BCCs and SCCs rarely metastasize, or spread, but melanomas are more likely to become dangerous if left untreated. The estimated five-year survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99%, but the survival rate falls to 75% when the disease reaches the lymph nodes and 35% when the disease metastasizes to distant organs.
Identifying skin cancer
Skin cancers can vary widely in appearance, and they can originate from moles you’ve always had or those that seemingly appear out of nowhere. About 20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles, while 70-80% arise on apparently normal skin.
Some signs you can be on the lookout for during your monthly self-exam include: sores that don’t heal within three weeks, or that continue to itch, crust, scab, or bleed; a mole that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, brown, black, or multicolored. Some nonmelanoma skin cancers can appear white or waxy with poorly defined borders, or like a crusty red patch. Some may present like a typical pimple that just won’t go away.
The Ugly Duckling rule is helpful in identifying possible skin cancers that look unusual: If a spot doesn’t seem like any of your other moles in color, shape, or size; looks or feels different from your other moles; or over time changes from your other moles, you should get that mole checked out by a dermatologist. You could also evaluate moles with the ABCDEs of melanoma: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, changing Colors, Diameter larger than 1/4 inch (or Dark), and Evolution.
The bottom line is that if you see anything new, changing, or unusual on your skin, get it checked out by a dermatologist as soon as possible.
By taking sun protection seriously and checking in with your skin on a regular basis, everyone can enjoy the summer without putting themselves at risk of developing skin cancer. For more information about early detection and skin cancer self-exams, go to TheBigSee.org. You can find the schedule for the Foundation’s mobile skin cancer screening and education program, Destination Healthy Skin, at DestinationHealthySkin.org.
