Skin Cancer

Happy Monday, and welcome to Medical Mondays! Summer’s coming up soon, and while I hate to be a total party pooper…May happens to be Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so I feel like I’d be doing a disservice to the world if I didn’t talk about this!

So…before summer starts and you go off to enjoy the warm, sunny weather, please give this a read! (Especially the “Prevention” part!)

Types

There are three main types of skin cancer (which I will likely talk more about somewhere in the near or distant future):

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Most common skin cancer in the U.S. + most often develops on sun-exposed areas (e.g. face, scalp, ears, hands)
  • Classically presents with a pearly waxy appearance with telangiectases throughout the lesion
  • Rarely metastasizes
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Second most common skin cancer + most often presents in sun-exposed areas (head + neck most common)
  • Classically presents as crusting, scaling, ulcerated skin lesions
• Melanoma
  • Most dangerous form of skin cancer
  • Most commonly presents as the development of a new mole, or a change in the color or size of an existing mole
  • Out of the three, melanoma has the highest rate of metastasis

Risk Factors*

• Chronic UV light exposure (e.g. sun tanning, use of tanning beds)
• Fair skin
• Immunosuppression (e.g. organ tranplant, HIV)
• Genetic mutations (e.g. P53 gene)

*There are a lot more risk factors that I didn’t mention because they were more specific to each type of skin cancer!

Prevention

• Stay in the shade, especially between 10 AM – 4 PM.
• Don’t get sunburned!
• Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with SPF 30+.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tbsp) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens can and should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin from head to toe every month. (Don’t forget to check the foot soles, fignernails, scalp, and rectum!)
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

• Asymmetry
• Border irregularity
• Color variation/changes
• Diameter
• Evolving changes in the lesion

Diagnosis

Visual examination can suggest skin cancer, but the gold standard for diagnosis is a skin biopsy.

Imaging studies (e.g. CT, MRI, PET scan, bone scan) may be used if metastasis is suspected.

Treatment

The treatment of skin cancer largely depends on the type, location, and severity, but options tend to include:

• Surgical excision (used on smaller lesions in sensitive areas [e.g. face, eyes, ears, genitals)
• Cryotherapy (used on smaller lesions)
• Electrodessication + curettage (uses a combination of cauterization + curettage for larger lesion)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy (systemic chemo is reserved for patients with metastatic disease)

Topical chemotherapy agents (e.g. 5-Fluorouracil [5-FU] + epidermal growth factor inhibitors are sometimes used as well for high-risk types.

Interested in Finding Out More?

The CDC offers more resources to promote skin cancer awareness, including brochures, infographics + podcasts!

P.S. While we’re talking about skin cancer, one of the bloggers I recently started following (Emily @ A Freckled Fox) just found out that her husband has been diagnosed with melanoma. :[ One of her friends set up a fund to help with medical treatments, so if you feel so inclined and have some extra money to spare, please help them out! <3

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Disclaimer: This is where I reiterate that I am merely a medical student struggling through the world that is her clinical rotations. The statements made on this blog should not be taken as medical advice to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please contact your own physician or health care provider before starting a health or fitness/wellness program. (See full disclaimer here.)