Who Should Be Concerned About Skin Cancer and How to Screen 

The statistics that we have concerning skin cancer are eye-opening. To start, about 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the United States. Furthermore, about one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they reach 70. Rounding out these stats is the fact that, each year, more Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer than all other cancers combined.

Our point in presenting these numbers is to underscore the most important fact about skin cancer — few people can consider themselves safe from this disease.

Since May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month in the US, the team at Orange Coast Dermatology thought it would be a great idea to tackle this important subject in this month’s blog. Here’s what we want you to know about skin cancer.

The different types of skin cancer

We refer to the issue as skin cancer, but the reality is that there are several kinds, including:

• Basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 8 out of 10 skin cancers
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma, which accounts for 1% of skin cancers

Though melanoma is diagnosed in far fewer people than basal or squamous cell carcinomas, it is a potentially more serious disease that claims about 8,500 lives in the US each year.

Risk factors for skin cancer

Now let's discuss the risk factors for skin cancer, and we’ll do so in order, starting with the most common:

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays

Far and away, the leading cause of any type of skin cancer is exposure to radiation in the form of UV rays. This can mean the sun, as well as artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.

Given that we live in sunny southern California, it’s safe to say that puts most of us at risk for skin cancer. 

Not practicing good sun protection

No matter where you live, but especially here in SoCal, sun protection is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. By sun protection, we mean using sunscreen every time you go out, covering up with clothing and hats, and staying out of the sun during peak hours.

So, if you’re falling short on these efforts, you put yourself right back up in the first risk factor — exposure to UV rays.

Age

When it comes to age, this factor is certainly a strong one with basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Over time, your skin experiences increased exposure, including sunburns and sun tans, which can raise your risk for skin cancer.

That said, age isn’t as much a factor with melanoma, which can strike at any age. In fact, among young adults, melanoma is one of the most common cancers.

Skin coloring

People with fair skin are often more vulnerable to skin cancers of all types. This doesn’t mean, however, that people with darker skin tones are immune.

As for other skin cancer risks, scientists are also exploring the role that genes can play, but the above risk factors are well-proven.

Staying one step ahead of skin cancer

Now let’s look at how you can stay one step ahead of skin cancer. First and foremost, keep up with your sun protection. Second, see us for regular skin checks. During these visits, we can look for any irregularities in the moles on your body, and most people have moles.

Given that we live in such a sunny climate, annual skin checks are preferable and allow us to catch any cancer in its earliest, and most treatable, stages.

To set up your skin check or if you have more questions about your risks for skin cancer, please contact one of our offices in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, or Mission Viejo, California, today to schedule an appointment.