Dr. Bradford Gray
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with an estimated one in five Americans expected to develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Each year nearly 8,000 people die of melanoma in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society, which is why prevention and early detection are so important.
Types of skin cancer
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. The most common skin cancers are basal or squamous cell, with melanoma and other unusual types being rarer.
Can skin cancer be treated?
Basal and squamous cell cancers, if identified early, are often treatable and curable because they are typically non-aggressive and slow-growing. These types of cancer can usually be treated with either prescription ointments or a surgical procedure known as an excision, most often performed on an outpatient basis in the doctor’s office.
Melanoma can be fatal
Melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer, belongs in a category of its own because of its ability to spread and be potentially fatal. As a result, surgery is often the only real treatment option. In most melanoma cases, we perform a full-thickness biopsy of the skin lesion to see how deep the lesion is. If a large amount of tissue needs to be removed, or if it’s an area that is highly visible, the surgeon will often work with a cosmetic surgeon to minimize the appearance of scarring.
Who is at risk for skin cancer?
Those who are fair skinned, have blonde or red hair, or have light eyes, are at high risk for skin cancer. People with more melanin also have a risk of developing skin cancer including particularly on lighter parts of the skin, such as the palms, soles, underneath fingernails or inside the mouth.
Skin exams are the key to early detection. Ideally, having a dermatologist perform an annual skin check is the best way to catch any concerns early. Checking your skin yourself is also good practice. Some of the more common ways in which skin cancers can appear include:
· A new, expanding, or changing growth, spot, or bump on the skin
· A sore that bleeds and/or doesn’t heal after several weeks
· A rough or scaly red patch, which might crust or bleed
· A wart-like growth
· A mole (or other spot on the skin) that’s new or changing in size, shape, or color
· A mole with an odd shape, irregular borders, or areas of different colors
If something seems suspicious, make an appointment with your doctor.
Prevention is paramount
With the summer months well underway, you should use sunscreen daily. But remember, you can get a sunburn even on a cloudy day, and most skin cancers are sun exposure related. My colleagues and I recommend using any sunscreen that is labeled broad spectrum, water-resistant, and SPF30 or above. Protective clothing with SPF can also help, especially when used in combination with sunscreen on the skin. Practicing summer skin safety is important for overall health as well, not just for reducing the risk of skin cancer.
If you are concerned about skin cancer, talk with your primary care provider and schedule a skin exam.
If you would like a free skin exam, join Lifespan and our partners on Friday, Aug. 8, at Easton’s Beach snack bar from 1 p.m. -3 p.m. Dermatologists will be on-site doing FREE skin checks!
Dr. Bradford C. Gray, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon affiliated with Newport Hospital.
Health Matters appears monthly in The Newport Daily News and on newportri.com.
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