Nick Grimm, a physician assistant, provides dermatology services with BayCare Clinic. He joined us on Wisconsin Tonight to talk about ways to protect against skin cancer.
An abnormal growth of skin cells, skin cancer usually develops on sun-exposed skin. It can also occur on areas of your skin not typically exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The melanoma variety is the deadliest type of skin cancer. One in five Americans will develop a form of skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation all year round, not just during the summer. UV rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommends these options for protection from UV radiation:
* Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours
* Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs
* Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck
* Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays
* Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection
* Avoid indoor tanning
Consult your physician if you experience skin changes that include:
* Moles that have changed in appearance, bleed, or become itchy
* New moles or sores
* Ulcers that do not heal
* Spreading of pigment beyond the borders of a mole or mark
* Moles that have grown or exhibit unusual changes
What are symptoms of skin cancer?
Follow the ABCDE rule in identifying symptoms:
* A is for Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other
* B is for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred
* C is for Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue
* D is for Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this
* E is for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color
Other warning signs include:
* A sore that does not heal
* Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin
* Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
* Change in sensation – itchiness, tenderness, or pain
* Change in the surface of a mole
What are typical skin cancer treatment options?
Treatment options include, but are not limited to:
* Biopsy of suspicious lesions
* Removal of precancerous growths (actinic keratosis)
* Surgical removal of skin cancers
* Non-surgical treatments such as creams and light therapy
* Removal of benign (noncancerous) lesions
The best treatment is early detection, so tell your doctor if you notice any unusual skin changes.
For information, call Plastic Surgery & Skin Specialists by BayCare Clinic at 920-288-8240.
