Skin Cancer/Melanoma

About one in five Americans are likely to develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), making it the most common form of cancer in the U.S. It is also the most preventable cancer. In fact, research indicates that protecting your skin before you turn 18 can cut your risk of some types of skin cancer by as much as 78%.

There are three major types of skin cancer – basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma, which is the most serious type.

Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer are the most prevalent and least dangerous type of skin cancer. These cancers generally start in the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, and grow slowly. They are often related to sun exposure and found on those areas of the skin that are most often exposed to the sun. Spots, blemishes, freckles and moles are signs of sun-damaged skin. They are usually harmless, but if you notice them changing, see a doctor.

Melanoma skin cancer develops when melanocytes, the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color, start to grow out of control. While melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it is the cause of a large majority of skin cancer deaths. If not detected and treated early, it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. When detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99%.

Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, but usually starts on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women. It is almost more than 20 times more common in Caucasians than in African Americans.

The ABCs of Skin Cancer
Older adults, people who are fair-skinned, or those who have a lot of moles are generally at greater risk, so it’s important to know your skin well. It’s a good idea to have an annual skin check by a healthcare provider. While many skin cancers are highly treatable, if you notice anything suspicious anywhere on your skin, you should report it to your physician.

Here is an easy way to recognize if a mole or other skin lesion may be cancerous – just remember ABCDE:

Asymmetry: one half of the mole doesn’t match the other
Border: is irregular
Color: is not uniform
Diameter: greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
Evolving: size, shape or color changes

Ongoing Treatment Advances
Options for treating skin cancer will vary, depending on its location, size, type and depth of the lesions. Small skin cancers limited to the surface of the skin or precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses may not require treatment beyond an initial skin biopsy or a procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove the entire growth.

In addition to surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, researchers are focusing on the development of treatments that directly target specific mutations in melanoma cells or that harness the body’s immune system to attack melanoma. These and other ongoing advancements are leading to improvements in survival rates for patients with advanced melanoma.

Slip, Slop, Slap & Wrap to Reduce Your Risk
The majority of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV light rays – either from the sun (a natural source) or from an artificial source, such as tanning beds. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns. Even just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

Here are ways to reduce your risk:
• Whenever you are in the sun, wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+.
• Do not use tanning beds.
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals, including tobacco, so don’t smoke.
• Watch for any changes in moles or new suspicious skin growths.
• Schedule an annual skin check with a healthcare professional.

Especially here in Florida, it is important to stay aware of the risks of too much sun exposure and take precautions to protect yourself and your family. To enjoy the outdoors safely, remember this simple formula: Slip, Slop, Slap & Wrap — Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes!

World-Class Cancer Treatment Close to Home
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com)

Recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. In the past four years, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with Florida Cancer Specialists participation.* Trained in prestigious medical schools and research institutes, our physicians are consistently ranked nationally as top doctors by U.S. News & World Report.

Founded in 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians and staff.

For more information, visit FLCancer.com