Skin Cancer: Some Burning Facts

While you are still trying to avoid the cold, it's a good a time to think about skin cancer protection and screening as summertime approaches.

Your total lifetime sun exposure increases your risk for melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

Melanoma is the most worrisome skin cancer, because it can spread (metastasize) very early, when the mole is still small. Squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers can also cause harm, but do all of their damage locally (without spreading to other parts of the body), so the severity is related to the size of the lesion you can see.

Here are the most important risk factors for skin cancer that you should consider:

1. Your sun exposure. This is your biggest risk and includes anything from severe sunburns to years of deep tanning without ever burning.


2. Your family history. If two or more of your relatives (especially parents and siblings) had skin cancer, especially if they had it at a young age, you're almost certainly at increased risk. If you come from a long line of sun worshippers who never get skin cancer, you might be one of the lucky ones who is more resistant. But I still suggest you be careful around the sun, just in case.


3. Your skin type. Fair and light colored skin increases your risk.

Prevention is straightforward: Use quality sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB and has an SPF rating of at least 15 (higher for fair skin or more intense exposure). Reapply the sunscreen frequently (at least every two hours), especially after swimming. There are many high-tech clothes these days that look and feel cool while protecting you from the sun. A hat helps to protect the top of your head and your face, and sunglasses are important, too. Even on cloudy days, sun exposure can be significant, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Watch for moles and lesions that are growing, bleeding, itching or becoming painful, because they could be skin cancer. Those symptoms, however, can occur with many other skin conditions that are not so worrisome. Remember the ABCD warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry. One part of the mole looks different than the rest.


• Border. An irregular border is more concerning than a smooth one.


• Color. Multiple shades of brown and black in a single mole can be a warning sign. Some melanomas are pure black, but they occasionally can be red, blue, or other colors.


• Diameter. Larger than ¼ inch (6 mm).

Ask your doctor or a dermatologist about any suspicious moles. If you limit sun exposure and check your skin regularly, you can minimize your risk and get any problems treated quickly, before they cause you any real trouble.

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