THE WOMEN’S HEALTH GROUP, P.C.

9195 Grant Street, Suite 410, Thornton, CO 80229

Phone: 303-280-2229 (BABY)

300 Exempla Circle, Suite 470, Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-665-6016

www.whg-pc.com

SKIN CANCER-WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BACKGROUND:

There are basically three types of skin cancer: 1) basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 2) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 3) malignant melanoma.  BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and is rarely fatal, however if ignored, it can be extremely disfiguring.  SCC is less common and generally highly curable.  Malignant melanoma is the least common but can be fatal.

WOMEN AND SKIN CANCER:

Melanoma is the sixth most common cancer for women.  Women at age 39 or younger have a higher probability of developing melanoma than any cancer, other than breast cancer.  It is the most common cause of cancer for women ages 25-29.  One blistering sunburn early in life doubles ones’ risk of melanoma.  Between 1980 and 2004, the incidence of melanoma in young women doubled.  The incidence of BCC in women under age 40 has doubled in the last 30 years and cases of SCC have also increased.

COMMON MYTHS:

Many people think only Caucasians are at risk for skin cancer.  However, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians can develop any of the three skin cancers.  They are less common overall, however, melanoma is more likely to be fatal because these patients often present with more advanced disease. 

Many people also believe that tanning beds are safer than the sun.  However, people that use tanning beds have a 1.5 times great chance of developing BCC and a 2.5 times greater chance of developing SCC.  For malignant melanoma, the risk is 75% higher if one was exposed to tanning beds in their youth.

SUN PROTECTION:

It is recommended that you avoid the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM.  Avoid tanning booths completely.  Wear protective clothing when outdoors.  Sunscreen of at least SPF15 should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplied every two hours thereafter.  Newborns should avoid all sun exposure and sunscreen should be applied after age 6 months.

WARNING SIGNS:

The following are some guidelines regarding when to consult your doctor for a suspicious mole.  The ABCD(E) mnemonic is helpful when examining your skin.

·         Asymmetry: unequal or asymmetric moles are suspicious

·         Border: if a mole’s border is irregular, scalloped, or indistinct, it is more likely to be malignant

·         Color: variation of color within a mole is suspicious for cancer

·         Diameter: any mole that has a diameter greater than a pencil eraser (6mm) should be considered suspicious

·         Elevation: if a mole is raised from the skin, it is suspicious