Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. There are more than one million skin cancers (melanoma and non-melanoma) diagnosed each year in the United States.

Description

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, but some may come from artificial sources, such as tanning beds.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.

Symptoms

To detect melanomas or other skin cancers, use the following A-B-C-D skin self-examination guide, adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology:

  • A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
  • B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders—the characteristics of melanomas.
  • C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
  • D is for diameter. Look for growths that are larger than about ¼ inch (6 millimeters).

Common Treatment Options

Skin cancer such as melanoma is typically treated with surgery (removing the tumor), chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Additional treatment options may include biologic therapy (using the patient’s immune system to fight cancer), immunotherapy (the use of anticancer drugs combined with biologic therapy to boost the immune system to kill cancer cells) or vaccine therapy (helping the immune system recognize and attack specific types of cancer cells).

Risk Factors

While the exact cause of melanoma is not known, there are several risk factors, including:

  • Ultraviolet radiation: The more time you spend in the sun, the greater your risk of developing melanoma. This disease is also more common in people who live in areas that get large amounts of UV radiation from the sun, such as Colorado.
  • Dysplastic nevi (abnormal moles): These moles are common, and they are more likely than ordinary moles to become cancerous.
  • Many (more than 50) ordinary moles: Having many moles increases the risk of developing melanoma.
  • Fair skin: Melanoma occurs more frequently in people who have fair skin that burns or freckles easily than in people with dark skin.
  • Personal history of melanoma or skin cancer: People who have been treated for melanoma have a high risk of a second melanoma.
  • Family history of melanoma: Having two or more close relatives who have had this disease is a risk factor.

Prevention

Limit your time in the sun. Use sunscreen. Avoid tanning beds and tan-accelerating agents. Check your skin regularly using the A-B-C-D method above and report changes to your doctor.

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