
Memorial Day is here! It’s time to join your family for a barbecue and kick off the unofficial start to the summer! While you celebrate, don’t forget to grab sunscreen and a hat because this season will be a scorcher. Not only that, but it’s also skin cancer awareness month.
In March, we talked about Colorectal Cancer Awareness and now, we are chatting about the most common cancer— skin cancer. Follow along with this blog as we discuss the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and how to prevent it.
What is skin cancer?

Before delving into details, it’s worth explaining a bit about our skin’s structure.
The skin is made up of two main layers:
Epidermis (the upper layer)
Dermis (the bottom layer)
In this blog, we will focus on the epidermis where skin cancer begins.
In the epidermis, there are three kinds of cells which include:
Squamous Cells: Flat cells that comprise the outermost epidermis. We shed these frequently.
Basal Cells: Cells produced below the squamous layer that flatten and migrate up to replace lost squamous cells.
Melanocytes: Cells that produce the pigment melanin to protect skin from UV radiation.
Abnormal growth can start in each of these cells and lead to skin cancer. The majority of diagnoses are “non-melanoma” skin cancers that begin in the squamous cells (squamous cell carcinoma) or the basal cells (basal cell carcinoma). Generally, these cancers grow slowly and rarely spread to other body parts. Thus, they are easier to treat.
On the other hand, melanoma— a cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells— is very likely to spread if untreated. Although rarer than other skin cancers, melanoma causes a large majority of deaths due to its aggressive nature. That said, if caught early, it is treatable.
Causes of Skin Cancer and Prevention
Exposure to UV radiation is one of the main culprits causing skin cancer. This radiation is present in outdoor sunlight and tanning beds.
To reduce UV exposure, avoid tanning beds and limit time outdoors from 10 am to 4 pm when the sun is the brightest. Wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 can also protect skin from sunburns which research has linked to skin cancer.

Other risk factors for skin cancer include:
Having light skin that freckles and burns, light-colored eyes, and light hair
Having a weakened immune system
Exposure to radiation treatments
Personal or family history of skin cancer
Having many moles (risk factor specific to melanoma)
Besides limiting exposure to the sun and tanning beds, you should practice skin self-awareness using the ABCDE acronym.
Monitor areas of your skin for:
Asymmetry
Irregular Borders
Uneven Color
Diameter or size change
Evolving or changing appearance
If you notice changes in moles, freckles, or other areas of your skin, point them out to healthcare providers during regular exams. Both dermatologists and primary care providers can perform skin checks to look for any suspicious areas.
What does skin cancer look like?

The ABCDE acronym can be a great guide for identifying skin that healthcare providers should assess. If they agree the skin looks abnormal, providers will usually take a tissue sample and send it off for examination. Specialized doctors called pathologists will then look at the tissue under a microscope and note any cancer cells.
That sounds logical, but what exactly are healthcare providers looking for when they check our skin? What does skin cancer look like?
Well, that depends. Skin cancer appearances vary depending on your skin tone and the location and type of cancer. In short, they are looking for anything that appears abnormal.
These abnormalities may include:
Un-healing sores
Raised skin with smooth, scaly, or crusted textures
Discoloration
Bleeding
Because skin cancer can look so different, it’s important to see examples of various skin tones and body locations. Luckily, there is a skin cancer photo gallery for people to visualize how skin cancer may appear in a diverse population.
All in all, skin cancer is a big deal that you should not take lightly. And, although it’s very common, it’s preventable. By following the above sun safety tips and screening guidance, you can find skin cancer early on or even stop it in the first place. Plus, you can prevent premature skin aging! Who would have thought the secret to eternal youth lies within a bottle of sunblock?
References
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). About melanoma skin cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/about.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What are basal and squamous cell cancers? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Skin cancer image gallery. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/skin-cancer/skin-cancer-image-gallery.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. (2023, October 23). Skin cancer prevention. https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-prevention-pdq
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. (2023, March 30). Skin cancer screening. https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-screening-pdq
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