Here Comes The Sun – Your Skin Cancer Action Plan

Summer is right around the corner! It’s time to spend more time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, enjoying boating, gardening, hiking, swimming, and more.

While having a sun-kissed tan is often seen as a sign of health and beauty, it also puts you at risk for skin cancer. People in midlife have had a lifetime of sun exposure, but there are many reasons to pay closer attention to reducing your skin cancer risk and learning about the signs of skin cancer.

Skin Cancer 101

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States—at least one in five people develop skin cancer by age 70.

About 90% of skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet light (UV) or radiation emitted by the sun. UV light exposure damages the DNA inside skin cells, which can cause abnormal cell growth that turns into skin cancer.

Skin cancers are classified as:

• Non-melanoma

  • Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least deadly type of this cancer.

  • Squamous cell carcinoma occurs on the head and neck, can be highly aggressive, and may lead to death if not treated early.

  • Women have a greater incidence than men for both types of non-melanoma cancer.

• Malignant melanoma

  • Causes the majority of cancer deaths

Prevalence of Skin Cancer

As with any disease, skin cancer becomes more common as you age. According to a Mayo Clinic study, the incidence of skin cancer increases eight-fold in women aged 40-50. Prevention and early detection are key.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

Some risk factors for skin cancer are genetic, while others are more under your control. The following increase your risk of skin cancer:

• Age

• Blue eye color

• Excessive moles or freckles

• Family history of melanoma

• Personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers

• Skin that burns easily (fair skin)

Skin cancer can occur in people of any skin pigmentation, so everyone should to follow prevention guidelines.

Menopause, MHT & Skin Cancer

Estrogen can cause photosensitivity (sensitivity to the sun) that leads to more rapid sunburn. Sunburn damages the skin, and can lead to abnormal cell growth.

Although estrogen can cause photosensitivity, science has not yet determined whether the decrease in estrogen around menopause decreases skin cancer risk—or whether estrogen therapy increases it.

A randomized trial showed that skin cancer rates were about equal between postmenopausal women on MHT and those who were taking a placebo. Another study in France showed that MHT did not measurably increase melanoma risk. A third study looked at a large set of data from across the country and concluded that women who used MHT for more than 10 years were at higher risk of basal cell carcinoma.

This conflicting information is probably not enough to sway your decision about using MHT, but it’s a reason to double down on practices to detect and prevention skin cancer.

Check Your Skin

Checking your skin for any irregular moles or freckles is the most important piece of skin cancer risk reduction. New skin growths or a sore that does not heal may be signs of skin cancer.

The downloadable body mole map from the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) is a great tool to track your skin with self-examinations. When you examine areas of concern, remember “ABCDE.”

• Asymmetry: One half of the spot is unlike the other half

• Border: The spot has an irregular or poorly defined border

• Color: The spot has different shades of black, red, blue, or other colors present

• Diameter: The spot is growing in size (larger than ¼ inch)

• Evolving: The spot changes in size, shape, or color

If you are concerned about any areas, follow up with a dermatologist. The AADA recommends yearly skin checks with a healthcare provider to ensure that no skin issues go un-noticed.

Reduce Your Risk

Ultimately, reducing your exposure to sun and UV rays is the best way to reduce your risk. It’s still possible to enjoy being outside, but thinking ahead can save your skin from accumulating more radiation exposure.

Follow this skin cancer prevention action plan for best results:

• Avoid active tanning in the sun.

• Avoid UV tanning beds.

• Wear sunglasses consistently.

• Seek a shady spot or use an umbrella, especially during the middle of the day.

• Use high-quality sunscreen on a consistent basis. Zinc oxide-based “physical” sunscreens are considered a safer choice than “chemical” sunscreens.

• Wear a hat to provide shade for your head.

• Wear protective clothing to cover arms and legs.