In May, we can finally put the cold weather behind us and look forward to spending sunny days at the beach. That’s why May is designated as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
This is the perfect time to talk about skin cancer screening. Many people think they can safely put it off until they’re older, but you shouldn’t wait to screen for signs of skin cancer.
Screening is the only way to find skin cancer at an early stage, while Theresa Durchhalter, DO, at Allure Dermatology in Hicksville, New York, still has time to remove and cure the disease.
Here’s what you need to know about skin cancer screening.
Though your chances of developing skin cancer increase as you get older, the disease can occur at any age. Skin cancer in children is rare, but does occur. Melanoma, the most dangerous of the three primary types of skin cancer, is the most common cancer diagnosed in teens and young adults.
Several medical organizations recommend having your first skin cancer screening at the age of 20 or older. Then you should have yearly professional exams and perform monthly self-skin exams.
However, the best age and frequency for professional skin cancer screening differs for each person, depending on many variables and risk factors.
For example, if you have a worrisome skin growth (lesion) or notice changes in a mole, you should get screened immediately, regardless of your age or risk.
Additionally, the recommendation to get your first full-body screening in your early 20s only applies to people with an average risk of developing skin cancer.
If you have a high risk, you need to start at a younger age and get more frequent screenings. Even children with a high risk may need annual screenings.
The only way we can be more specific is to evaluate your personal risk factors and complete your first full-body skin screening.
Skin cancer develops over years of exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) rays from other sources, like a tanning bed. UV radiation damages your skin cells, causing mutations in their DNA that lead to cancer.
Your cumulative exposure to UV light and the number of sunburns you sustain contribute to your overall risk. Blistering sunburns in your childhood raise your risk. And having five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15-20 increases your risk of melanoma by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma) by 68%.
In addition to a history of sunburns, other factors that substantially raise your risk for skin cancer include:
If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had skin cancer, then you should schedule a first screening right away, regardless of your age. Likewise, if you had skin cancer, you should consider getting your children screened.
Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer because it comes from UV exposure. You can take two important steps to lower your risk:
You need to protect your skin every time you go outside. While you can wear clothes and hats that block the sun, it’s essential to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every time you go outside.
However, wearing a daily sunscreen doesn’t mean you should stop getting skin cancer screenings because sunscreen doesn’t afford 100% protection.
Chances are you already had, or will have, years of exposure without the benefit of a sunscreen. And sunscreen must be reapplied regularly for as long as you're in the sunlight, a habit that few people follow.
Getting into the habit of looking for new skin growths and changes in moles helps you find potential skin cancer at the earliest possible stage. In general, you’re looking for lesions that look different from any surrounding growths.
If you have moles, look for the “ABCDE” changes:
Should you notice any of these changes or new growths, it’s time to schedule a thorough skin exam.
If you have any questions about skin cancer screening, call Allure Dermatology or book an appointment online today.
