May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, highlighted by the American Academy of Dermatology as a critical period for spotlighting the prevalence of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. Each year, millions of cases are diagnosed, drawing attention to preventive measures and early detection.
Dr. Ida Orengo, chair of the Department of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, advises on skin protection to mitigate sun exposure damage, the foremost cause of skin cancer. She recommends avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If outdoor activity during these hours is unavoidable, Orengo suggests protective measures including the use of chemical or physical sunscreens.
"Chemical sunscreens are liked by a lot of people because they are invisible or not very noticeable when you put them on," Orengo explained. "Physical sunscreens are physical blockers and do not contain chemicals. They contain titanium and zinc oxide; they will have a pigment to them."
Orengo stresses the importance of applying sunscreen 20 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapplying it every couple of hours. For those participating in outdoor water activities or those who sweat profusely, a waterproof sunscreen is advised. She noted that many overlook applying sunscreen around the eyes and ears.
"We usually don't put sunscreen around our eyes because we are afraid it can go in our eyes and possibly burn. You do want to be careful when putting it on in this area or you can wear sunglasses. Also, put sunscreen around and inside your ear. People who have thinning hair should get a spray sunscreen to put on their scalp or wear a hat," Orengo suggested.
Emphasizing the importance of early detection, Orengo advocates for regular skin cancer screenings, particularly for individuals with obvious risk factors like fair skin and a family history of skin cancer. Those previously diagnosed should conduct screenings every six months. Universal screening at least once in life is recommended to assess risks and learn prevention strategies.
"We normally see most skin cancers in people with fair skin, blue or green eyes and blonde or red hair. These people are at a higher risk, but are not the only ones who can get skin cancer. Patients with darker skin can develop skin cancer, which doesn’t have the usual translucent look that we see in textbooks," Orengo explained.
Recognizing warning signs such as changing, bleeding, and ulcerating lesions is crucial. Orengo urges consultation with dermatologists when these symptoms occur and assures that biopsy, a straightforward procedure covered by insurance, could be life-saving.
"Warning signs that a lesion may be cancerous are lesions that are changing, bleeding and ulcerating. When this happens, see a dermatologist to have them looked at. Don’t be afraid of a biopsy to make the diagnosis. This is an easy procedure that is covered by insurance and could save your life,” Orengo stated.
