Our panel of skin health professionals offer prevention tips and give us an inside look at the latest developments in treatment.
Allison T. Vidimos, M.D.
President, American College of Mohs Surgery
“Mohs’ micrographic surgery provides very high cure rates while sparing the most amount of normal skin.”
What is the best preventative method to take against skin cancer?
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect skin from harmful UV rays by using sunscreens/sunblocks and sun-protective clothing, sunglasses and hats, as well as avoiding tanning beds. Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.
How have treatment methods progressed in the past decade for skin cancer?
Targeted therapies for melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas have improved quality of life and survival in some patients with advanced or metastatic tumors. Multidisciplinary tumor boards composed of dermatologists, dermatopathologists, oncologic surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists can optimize management of patients with advanced skin cancers.
What is the most important question to ask your doctor if you spot a new mole?
How will the dermatologist decide to perform a biopsy on a new mole? Dermatologists use the naked eye and a dermatoscope to examine new or changing moles, and take into account personal or family history of melanoma or atypical moles, the patient’s account of changes in color, size, shape or elevation of the mole and the patient’s skin type and sun exposure history.
What is your top tip for preventing recurring skin cancer in previous patients?
Choose the most effective initial treatment for your skin cancer. For high-risk skin cancers in functionally and/or cosmetically crucial sites, Mohs micrographic surgery provides very high cure rates while sparing the most amount of normal skin. Regular full skin exams by a dermatologist and monthly skin self-exams will allow early detection of new skin cancers or recurrence of previously treated skin cancers.
Mitchell A. Kline, M.D.
“For melanoma, we’ve seen patient survival rates improve with immunotherapy, which targets specific genetic changes in melanoma tumors.”
What is the best preventative method to take against skin cancer?
Sun avoidance and protection. Avoid sun bathing, never use tanning booths and if you are spending time outdoors, take measures to limit sun exposure. I always recommend the use of high SPF sunscreens (the higher the better, with SPF 30 as a minimum), protective clothing with UPF, hats and sunglasses.
How have treatment methods progressed in the past decade for skin cancer?
Encouraging results have been seen with the introduction of new therapies, “total body” screening methods and technology. For melanoma, we’ve seen patient survival rates improve with immunotherapy, which targets specific genetic changes in melanoma tumors. For basal cell and squamous cell cancer, we can use photodynamic therapy combined with automated total body imaging, ultrasound and reflectance confocal microscopy to support earlier detection and to reduce unnecessary biopsies. We’re very optimistic about the advanced care available to patients today.
What is the most important question to ask your dermatologist if you spot a new mole?
During the exam, point out your mole and be prepared to share details on when you noticed it, if you’re experiencing an itch or pain as well as any changes in its size, color or shape. Make sure that any dermatologist you visit examines the mole with a dermoscopy device.
Even better, if your dermatologist has been able to track your skin with advanced digital imaging technology, ask that they compare new images of your skin to your baseline exam to confirm whether the mole was there previously or if there have been any critical changes.
What is your top tip for preventing recurring skin cancer in previous patients?
Sun protection and close monitoring. Wear UPF protective clothing, avoid extended sun exposure between peak hours (10 am and 4 pm) and always wear broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen (some newer SPF technologies have even been shown to help reduce precancerous changes through DNA repair technology).
Make sure that you not only perform regular skin self examinations but maintain skin cancer screenings with your physician. Some practices will be able to visually track skin change over time with photography or total body digital imaging technology that helps to standardize how physicians track skin change over time.
Michael Kaplan
President and CEO, Melanoma Research Alliance
“Avoid direct sun exposure mid-day when the sun is strongest, and by all means, avoid sunbeds, which increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent.”
What is the best preventative method to take against skin cancer?
The best means for preventing skin cancer is to avoid UV damage to your skin. Wear sun-protective clothing, stay in the shade, and use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used year-round and re-applied every two hours. Avoid direct sun exposure mid-day when the sun is strongest, and by all means, avoid sunbeds, which increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent.
How have treatment methods progressed in the past decade for the skin cancer, melanoma?
Prior to 2011, treatments for melanoma were limited and relied heavily on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, in just the past six years, 11 new treatments have been approved by the FDA for treating melanoma including new targeted therapies and immunotherapies. With these new therapies, five-year survival rates have more than doubled since a decade ago.
What is the most important question to ask your doctor if you have a new or changing spot on your skin?
Next to prevention, early detection is the best tool to fight melanoma. Melanomas can be identified using “ABCDE,” so ask your doctor to take a look at a skin spot that is (A)symmetrical in shape, has an irregular (B)order, contains multiple or uneven (C)oloring, has a (D)iameter bigger than a pencil eraser (6 mm), or has (E)volved over time.
What is your top tip for preventing recurring skin cancer in previous patients?
Anyone may face a melanoma diagnosis, but your risk increases if you have fair skin, have incurred repeated sun-burns, or if you or a parent have previously had melanoma. Always be UV-safe and if you’ve had a prior skin cancer, follow your doctor’s advice on regular skin checks and be aware of changes on your own skin year round.