During the month of May, we participate in Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month by sharing information about the causes and risks of skin cancer, as well as how to protect yourself and your loved ones from this common disease.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, each day 9,500 people are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer, and nearly 20 Americans die from its most harmful type: melanoma.
Fortunately, all forms of skin cancer are highly treatable when diagnosed early. If detected before it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.
Wearing a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher that offers both UVA and UVB protection, covering exposed skin with clothes and hats, and regular skin exams from a dermatologist are common ways you can protect yourself from harmful skin damage caused by the sun.
Some of the above information may already be familiar to you, but there are some other surprising things about skin cancer you may not know.
Startling Statistics
- More than two people die of skin cancer every hour. By comparison, one person dies every 36 minutes of heart disease.
- One bad sunburn can double your risk of developing melanoma later in life.
- Yes, you can get melanoma even if you have darker skin. And statistically, survival rates are lower.
Common Among “Uncommon People”
Several celebrities have been diagnosed with skin cancer, including:
- Hugh Jackman
- Kenny Rogers
- Khloe Kardashian
- Diane Keaton
- Bob Marley
Though the first four mentioned in this list underwent removal and successful treatment, Marley suffered a rare kind of skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), which ultimately claimed his life.
Sneaking Up in Surprising Places
Though you may not be surprised to learn your face, arms, and back are common areas where skin cancer can be found, it can manifest in other places that receive far less exposure. The soles of your feet, palms of your hands — and also your eyelids and tongue — may be susceptible, too.
Even the nail salon has been a site of potential concern, warranting a 2014 JAMA study regarding the potential skin cancer risk from UV rays generated by gel manicure drying lamps. Though the study concluded that “even with numerous exposures, the risk for carcinogenesis remains small,” it demonstrates that harmful skin damage can occur when and where it’s unexpected.
Innovations in Treatment
According to a 2012 paper published in Melanoma Research, “The earliest physical evidence of melanoma comes from the diffuse melanotic metastases found in the skeletons of Pre-Columbian mummies (radiocarbon dated to be ~2400 years old) from Chancay and Chingas in Peru.” But it wasn’t until the late 1700s that successful surgical removal was first documented.
Since those early days of removal, several medical advances and techniques have been achieved, including Mohs surgery, a very precise procedure in which small layers of skin are sequentially removed until samples indicate the skin cancer is completely gone. This procedure was first developed in the 1930s, and has been continually improved upon to effectively remove skin cancer using only local anesthesia. Our own Dr. Humza Ilya was one of the first to become board certified in Mohs surgery, and several of physicians specialize in the procedure today.
In the future, we may rely on artificial intelligence to speed up the detection of skin cancer, or nanotechnology to administer nonsurgical treatment. Until that time comes, we’ll continue to encourage liberal, frequent application of proper sunscreen, staying in the shade, covering up even on cloudy days, and scheduling an annual skin exam with a dermatologist. If it’s time for your skin cancer screening (or you’re overdue), book an appointment by connecting with us online or calling (404) 355-5484.
