Skin Cancer

The risk of developing skin cancer increases steadily with age. Therefore, older adults need to be particularly alert for skin cancers. Approximately 600,000 cases of skin cancer are reported each year and most of these are the result of cumulative damage caused by exposure to the sun. Ninety percent of skin cancers occur where sun exposure is the greatest--on the face, neck, and arms.

Generally, skin cancers grow slowly, are easy to recognize, and readily removed by a doctor. If skin malignancies are diagnosed early, they can often be cured by surgical removal. Therefore it is important to regularly examine the entire skin surface. A small number of skin cancers are much more serious. Basal cell cancer is the most common type of skin cancer and can cause cosmetic problems although it is rarely fatal. Squamous cell cancer is less common but more problematic because it can spread to other organs. The growths tend to be raised or lump looking and bleed more easily. Click on the link What Skin Cancer Looks Like to see pictures identifying various types of skin cancers. The warning signs of skin cancer are relatively easy to detect and are listed in the table below.

• Growth that tends to be bleed
• Open sore that doesn't heal
• Growth that is firm, rather than fleshy, to the touch
• Growth that has a tendency to keep growing

Most moles are harmless. But malignant melanomas (cancerous moles) account for about 5,000 deaths a year in the U.S. Malignant melanomas are a problem because they grow rapidly and may spread. If the melanoma has not spread beyond the original site the 5 year survival rate is 91%. If it has spread to other sites then the 5 year survival rate drops to 50%. To learn more about melanoma, read Conquering Melanoma: Prevent It, Spot It, Treat It

Suspicious Moles

Asymmetrical shape- one half does not match the other half
Border irregularity- ragged, notched or blurred edges
Color varied- non-uniform color with shades of tan, brown and black
Diameter larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser)

Prevention

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to limit exposure to the sun by covering up with hats and other protective clothing and using sunscreens with at least a 30 SPF rating. Avoid tanning salons. Check your skin at least every month for any new lumps, change in color of warts or moles, or small sores that don't heal.

Some people are at greater risk for skin cancer. If you have any of the risk factors in the table below then you need to be extra careful to in protect your skin.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

• Fair skin
• Light hair
• Tendency to freckle
• Tendency to burn easily
• Family history of the disease
• Chronic sun exposure throughout life
• Blistering sunburns as a child or adolescent
• a large number of moles
• atypical moles