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Skin Cancer

What is it?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in the U.S. and is one of the most preventable cancers. It includes both non-melanoma skin cancer—either basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma—as well as malignant melanoma. Most skin cancers are caused by damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Anyone, regardless of skin color, may develop skin cancer.

A mixed race family of four seeks shade from the sun under a beach umbrella. The family is lying side-by-side on their stomach, propped up on their elbows and smiling.

Get checked

Everyone, regardless of skin color, is at risk for skin cancer.

All ages: Monthly self-check

Use the ABCDEs of skin cancer to check your skin once a month for possible signs of melanoma. If you have a mole that concerns you, see your health care provider right away.

All ages: Annual skin cancer check

It’s a good idea to have a health care provider examine your skin every year.

For those with darker skin tones: Advocate for your health

Skin cancer can be harder to identify on darker skin tones as compared to on light or fair skin tones. If you have darker skin, it’s a good idea to have your skin checks done by a health care provider, like a dermatologist, who is experienced in identifying skin cancer on all skin tones and knows what to look for.

Screening coverage

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) gives annual skin cancer checks an “I” rating, standing for “insufficient evidence”—they don’t recommend for or against an annual skin check. As a result, your insurance may or may not cover an annual visit to a dermatologist. You can check with your insurance company to see if this visit would be covered (you can also get your skin checked by your primary care provider at your annual check-up).

Know the ABCDE rule

It’s important to check your skin for suspicious moles once a month and report anything unusual to your health care provider.

Learn more about the ABCDE rule

Know your risk

You are at increased risk for skin cancer if you:

  • Are over the age of 50.
  • Were assigned male at birth.
  • Spend time in the sun or use sun lamps or tanning beds.
  • Have fair skin, freckles or skin that burns easily.
  • Have red or light colored (blond or brown) hair.
  • Have light colored (blue, gray or green) eyes.
  • Smoke.
  • Have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
  • Have certain types of genetic conditions that affect the skin, such as dysplastic nevus syndrome.
  • Have a weakened immune system.
  • Were treated with radiation.
  • Had sunburns in childhood.
  • Have several moles on your body, especially since birth.
  • Have odd moles or one or more large colored spots on your skin.
  • Have had contact with certain chemicals, such as arsenic in drinking water.
  • Have skin damage from injury or from long-term inflammation.
  • Have certain precancerous skin conditions, like actinic keratosis.

Reduce your risk

You may reduce your risk for skin cancer through these lifestyle-related modifications:

Icon illustration of the sun with a large X over it indicating no sun exposure.

Avoid being in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when sunlight is strongest.

Do you need sun exposure for vitamin D? Some experts say it is better to get your vitamin D from food or supplements rather than from sunlight. Talk with your health care provider about vitamin D and your health.

Icon illustration of a tube of sunscreen.

Always use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher with UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum).

Reapply every two hours if you stay in the sun, even on cloudy days. Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure year-round, not just in the summertime.

Icon illustration of a sunhat and sunglasses.

Wear protective clothing, headwear and eyewear.

Make sure your sunglasses fit well and provide 99-100% protection from UVA and UVB rays (these will be marked with a UV400 rating).

Icon illustration of a tanning bed with a large X over it indicating no tanning.

Never use tanning beds or sun lamps.

Icon illustration of lips next to a tube of lip balm.

Always use lip balm with SPF 30 or higher with UVA and UVB protection.

Reapply every two hours if you stay in the sun, even on cloudy days. Protect your lips from excessive sun exposure year-round, not just in the summertime.

Icon illustration of a young child underneath a beach umbrella that is blocking the sun.

Protect children from the sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer later in life.

Signs & symptoms

Use the ABCDEs of skin cancer to check your skin once a month for possible signs of melanoma. If you have a suspicious mole or any of the following symptoms, see a health care provider right away:

  • A sore that does not heal
  • A mole or other skin growth you have not noticed before
  • A change in the border of a spot, spread of color, redness or swelling around the area
  • A small, smooth, shiny, pale or waxy lump that may bleed
  • Large areas with oozing or crust
  • A flat red spot or a lump that is scaly or crusty
  • Itchiness, tenderness or pain from a mole or elsewhere on your skin
  • A brown or black colored spot with uneven edges

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, stage of the disease and your medical condition.

Surgery

The most common treatment for skin cancer is surgery to remove the cancer.

Chemotherapy

This is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with another therapy before or after surgery.

Radiation therapy

This treatment uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be used alone or in combination with another therapy before or after surgery.

Immunotherapy

This type of cancer treatment helps your immune system better respond to the cancer to detect and destroy abnormal cells. It may be used alone or in combination with another therapy before or after surgery.

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