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 non-melanoma skin cancers—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.

Early Detection = Better Outcomes®, so it’s important to get checked, reduce your risk, and talk with your health care provider about your health history.

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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.

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.

Insurance coverage

Under federal law, private insurers and Medicaid are required to cover services that have an “A” or “B” grade by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Some insurers may choose to cover services for additional groups. Medicare coverage for preventive services is limited to tests for which Congress has explicitly authorized coverage.

The 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 the dermatologist. If a visit to the dermatologist is not financially feasible, you can also get your skin checked by your primary care provider at your annual check-up.

Always check with your insurance provider to find out if you’ll be covered for routine skin cancer screening.

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 or have spent 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.
Use tobacco products, including cigarettes, or used them in the past.
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:

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.

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.

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).

Never use tanning beds or sun lamps.

Always use lip balm with 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 lips from excessive sun exposure year-round, not just in the summertime.

Check your skin once a month.

See your health care provider about any skin changes or to get an annual skin check.

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

Treat skin conditions that could develop into cancer.

Talk to your health care provider if you have a high number of actinic keratosis (rough, scaly precancerous skin patches). There are treatments and/or medications your health care provider can prescribe to reduce the risk these become cancerous.

Signs & symptoms

Use the ABCDEs of skin cancer to check your skin once a month for possible signs of melanoma. You could also show signs of non-melanoma skin cancers. 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 cancerous cells.

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.

How to read sunscreen labels

How do you know which sunscreen to choose, and what do the different terms on the label mean? We’re breaking down sunscreen terms so you can make the best choice for you.

Learn More

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