Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin cancer is a serious disease that can affect anyone at any age. It's the most common kind of cancer in the U.S. If found early, when it's small and hasn't spread, some of the more common types of skin cancer can often be cured. But some types of skin cancer can be life-threatening.

            “Most of our skin cancer patients are usually older than 40, and most are over 50. Skin cancer damage is cumulative,” said Dr. Charles Davis, Chief of Dermatology at Columbia VA Health Care System. “Statistically, the more times you get sunburned, the more likely you are to get melanoma.”

With 1 million cases of squamous cell skin cancer (SCSC) and 4.3 million cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) each year, it’s important now more than ever to engage in conversations about how to prevent and treat skin cancer early. SCSC and BCC are the most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Case numbers are increasing each year due to increased UV radiation exposure from the sun, as well as early detection efforts. 

Over 7000 people die from SCSC alone each year, which is comparable to death rates from kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, and melanoma. However, skin cancer is also very preventable, and with sun safety and early detection practices, you can learn how to keep your skin safe! Read more to learn about what you can do to prevent skin cancer and how you can raise awareness for others.

Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun

• Properly applying and reapplying sunscreen is one of the most important things you can do to keep skin cancer at bay. Make sure to follow these steps whenever you plan on being outdoors, even if it is just for a short time:
• Always try to use SPF 30 or above and make sure to apply sunscreen generously. SPF 30 or above sunscreens block 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, but make sure to reapply often to keep your skin protected. Don’t forget tricky spots like your ears, back of your neck, feet, and the underside of your chin!
• Seek shade to limit your exposure to the sun, especially from the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. If you can’t avoid the sun, wear protective clothing that prevents direct exposure to the sun.
• Don’t try to get tan! A tan means damage has already occurred to your skin cells, and it does not protect you from sunburns. Indoor tanning is just as harmful as outdoor tanning. Tanning beds increase your risk of skin cancer and are NOT a good source of vitamin D.
• Pay attention to risk factors like light skin, moles, a history of previous cancers, older age, and immunosuppression. Having any of these risk factors significantly increases your risk of skin cancer, and you should be more careful about your exposure to the sun.

“Protect yourself from the sun, you don’t realize what is going on,” said Davis. “It is causing damage; it’s going to age you, as well as give you a higher chance of skin cancer. The key is starting early and getting people used to protecting themselves.”

Talk with your healthcare provider about what you can do to help prevent skin cancer. Ask about regular skin exams as part of your routine physicals. You can also ask about doing monthly self-exams of your skin. If you see any changes in your skin, see your healthcare provider right away.