Skin cancer risks rise with summer sun exposure

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, but doctors say consistent sun protection and routine skin checks can sharply reduce the risk.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Melanoma, the deadliest form, accounts for only about 1 percent of cases but causes most skin cancer-related deaths when not caught early. When detected and treated in its earliest stages, melanoma has a five-year survival rate of about 99 percent. 

Non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are more common. Basal cell carcinoma usually grows slowly, but can cause tissue damage and disfigurement if untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma can grow more aggressively and, in some cases, may spread if not treated promptly. 

Dr. Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, chief of dermatology at Episcopal Health Services, said ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds are the primary causes of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

“People who are exposed to high levels of UV rays are at a greater risk for skin cancer,” Rozenberg said. “UV damage is cumulative over time, which means even everyday exposure adds up. That’s why prevention needs to start early and continue throughout life.”

Rozenberg said regular skin exams and attention to changes in the skin can help catch cancer early, when it is often highly treatable.

“Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and when caught early, it is often highly treatable,” she said. “Regular skin exams and attention to changes in your skin are essential—they can help detect issues at their earliest and most manageable stage.”

Doctors recommend several steps to reduce skin cancer risk:

•Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even when it is cloudy.

•Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or sweating.

•Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.

•Seek shade and limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV radiation is strongest.

•Avoid indoor tanning beds. The World Health Organization classifies indoor tanning as carcinogenic to humans, and even occasional use increases long-term skin cancer risk. 

•Perform regular skin self-exams, watching for new or changing spots, sores that do not heal, or lesions that bleed or crust.

Dermatologists also recommend using the ABCDE guide to identify possible melanoma:

A: Asymmetry

B: Border irregularity

C: Color variation

D: Diameter greater than 6 mm.

E: Evolving in size, shape or color