Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer is largely preventable, and if caught early, it's usually curable. Since most skin cancers are linked to sun exposure, it is important to take precautions when spending time outdoors, no matter what time of year. Though some sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can increase your risk for skin cancer and lead to premature skin aging. Be sure to use common sense and apply sunscreen if you're planning to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. Also, make sure to check your skin as well as see a dermatologist regularly.

Guidelines for Sun Safety

• Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible during the "peak" sun hours (generally 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or at least seek out shade during this part of day.
• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen containing both UVA and UVB protection. Look for ingredients like Parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone) or titanium dioxide on the label.
• Wear a hat and other protective clothing while in the sun. Tightly woven fibers and darker clothing generally provide more protection. Also, look for products approved by the American Academy of Dermatology.
• Reapply sunscreen frequently when outdoors, especially if you perspire or if your skin gets wet . Your best bet is to choose water-resistant products that are more likely to stay on your skin.

Determining Your Risk

The guidelines above apply to everyone, but certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer and should be especially cautious with sun exposure. If any of the descriptions below apply to you, be sure to have a dermatologist do a full-body examination once a year. And remember: Skin cancer risk is cumulative. The more risk factors you have (and the more sun damage over a lifetime), the higher your risk.

• Personal history of skin cancer or precancerous skin lesions
• Tendency to freckle or burn easily
• Lots of sun exposure throughout your life
• Many sunburns as a child or adolescent
• Family history of skin cancer (such as melanoma) or conditions that are more likely to develop into skin cancer (such as dysplastic nevus syndrome or numerous atypical moles)
• Chronic, non-healing wounds or burn injuries
• Radiation therapy
• Exposure to toxic materials, such as arsenic
• Exposure to certain subtypes of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV 6,11,16,18 have been linked to the development of squamous cell carcinoma, especially in patients with compromised immune systems.
• Organ transplant patients on immunosuppressant drugs have an increased risk of skin cancer

Skin Self-Examination

An important part of skin cancer prevention and detection is learning to recognize skin changes that may become cancerous and alerting your doctor to any suspicious moles.

• Perform a thorough skin check regularly, preferably once a month. Do this in a brightly lit room in front of a full-length mirror.
• Go over your entire body carefully, noting any new or suspicious-looking moles.
• Some find it helpful to record their self-exam results by creating a "body map," or "mole map."
• Use a hand mirror to see difficult spots like the top of the scalp or back of the legs.
• Enlist your spouse or a close friend or family member to check hard to see areas.

Melanoma – Know What to Look For

Knowing the "ABCs" or signs of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, can help you catch it early, when it is most curable.

• A: Asymmetry. Melanomas often have an asymmetrical border, whereas benign moles are usually symmetrical.
• B: Border irregularity. Melanomas often have ragged or notched borders, whereas benign moles usually don’t.
• C: Color. Melanomas often contain multiple shades of brown or black within a single mole, whereas benign moles are generally one shade.
• D: Diameter. Early melanomas are often 6mm or larger, while benign moles are generally less than 6mm.
• E: Evolution. The symmetry, border, color or diameter of a mole has changed over time.

Other Warnings

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Knowing What to Look For

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed skin cancer. In recent years, there has been a startling upturn in the number of young women who are diagnosed with this type of skin cancer, and the rise is blamed on the popularity of sunbathing and tanning salons. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal and does not normally spread, but it is still important to catch it in the early stages so that the surgical removal is as non-invasive as possible. Basal cell carcinomas occur on sun exposed areas and often look like pink bumps with the following features:

• Pearly or waxy appearance
• Sunken center
• Irregular blood vessels on the surface
• Tend to bleed easily after injury

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer after basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma is rarely deadly, but may spread or recur if not caught early. It is often found on the head, hands, ears, back of neck and forearms & areas with more sun exposure. If any of the descriptions below apply to you, have it checked out.

• Raised, dull-red skin lesion
• Thick crusted scale
• Ulcerated appearance

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated July 31, 2007

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.