How to protect yourself from the sun
We all want to enjoy our lives and spend time outdoors. I know this personally—I spent many childhood and teen years hanging out in the sun. Later in life, I was able to spot and diagnose my own melanoma and basal cell carcinomas—two types of skin cancer—all because I learned to pay attention to my skin.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States—more than all other cancer types combined—with 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. expected to develop skin cancer by the age of 70. While many people are familiar with melanoma, a more dangerous but less common type of skin cancer, most skin cancers are called non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). These include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which together make up the vast majority of the over 5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the United States.
These cancers are not only common—they’re also potentially disfiguring, expensive to treat and sometimes deadly. The costs of treating NMSCs in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2002 and 2011, and deaths from SCC are now approaching those from melanoma in some regions. It’s time we paid attention.
Spending time in the sun can be complicated. As people spend more time outdoors in the name of wellness—hiking, biking, traveling—it’s important to remember ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are a major cause of skin cancer. Both sunburns and daily, long-term exposure can damage skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer over time.
It’s important to learn how to enjoy the outdoors while being smart about sun protection. At the University of Arizona Cancer Center Skin Cancer Institute (SCI), we call this “Living in Harmony with the Sun.” Think sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest (between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
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If you’ve already had years of sun exposure, like many of us have, it’s not too late. We now have powerful tools to prevent, detect and treat skin cancer early.
How can I stay ahead of skin cancer?
Early detection is crucial in the fight against non-melanoma skin cancers. Advancements in technology are providing new, non-invasive tools to aid in early detection.
Embracing non-invasive imaging technologies
Modern dermatology is changing rapidly with the introduction of new imaging technologies. Tools like dermoscopy (now used by most dermatologists worldwide), reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) allow doctors to examine skin lesions in detail without having to perform skin biopsies. These tools help doctors decide which spots need additional treatment—and which don’t—reducing unnecessary procedures.
The rise of artificial intelligence in skin cancer detection
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also helping doctors make better decisions. AI-powered devices use imaging and smart software to analyze skin lesions (an abnormal area on the skin) and flag any that are suspicious. These tools can be especially helpful in places where there aren’t many dermatologists, helping patients access the services they need sooner. The AI tools can be applied to different scales such as individual lesions (with and without dermoscopy), and larger areas of the body depending on the type of images acquired. Developers of these technologies are working to ensure that all skin types are accounted for to generalize the application of these tools across populations.
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Total body photography and mobile apps
Another relevant advancement is total body photography, where doctors take photographs of a patient’s entire skin surface to keep track of moles and other skin lesions over time. Unfortunately, the technology is not yet fully adopted—it is not reimbursed by all insurance companies, and its use is mostly limited to patients at high risk being seen at academic centers. But it will likely be the way of the future, since the best way to accurately and consistently document skin examination is through imaging—the human brain can’t recall every lesion present at given time or capture changes occurring slowly over time.
There are also mobile apps that help people do skin checks at home. While these apps are helpful for watching your skin, they aren’t perfect—so always check with a dermatologist or health care provider if something seems off.
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Regular self-exams save lives
Even with all this new technology, simple habits still matter. Doing a monthly skin check at home and seeing a dermatologist annually can catch problems early. skin cancers start small, and you want to maximize the chance of finding them early. Also, some rough spots called actinic keratoses (AK), which can be treated before they turn into skin cancer, are another way of getting ahead of the game. If you have a suspicious mole or notice any changes, such as “pimples’ that do not resolve promptly or recurrent bleeding spots on your skin, talk to a health care provider.
By using the tools above and staying alert, we can catch more skin cancers early and reduce the need for surgeries and more serious treatments.
Prevention and innovation
If you’ve already had a skin cancer diagnosis, your risk of developing another skin cancer is high. About half of people who have one skin cancer will have another within a year, and up to 75% will have another within two years.
The good news is that researchers are working on better ways to prevent skin cancer for patients experiencing an increased burden of skin cancer. They are studying ways to optimize topical chemotherapy creams, “blue or red light” treatments (called photodynamic therapy), and even immune-boosting medicines to help the body stop skin damaged cells before they grow. Scientists are even working on ways to “train” the immune system to find and destroy abnormal skin cells.
How to live smart in the sun
Living in harmony with the sun doesn’t mean hiding from it. It means being mindful. Protect your skin. Learn what’s normal for your body. See your dermatologist based on your risk factors. And take advantage of the new technologies and treatments that are becoming available every day.
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Skin cancer is mostly preventable—and Early Detection = Better Outcomes. Let’s use every tool we have to stay safe and enjoy the sun responsibly.