8 Top Questions About Skin Cancer, Answered

Skin cancer is common in older adults. Luckily, it is also one of the most treatable cancers. Here’s what you need to know to keep your skin safe.

Did you know most skin cancers are diagnosed in adults over age 65? What’s more, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

“The longer you live, the more likely you are to develop certain types of nonmelanoma skin cancer,” says Elizabeth Hale, MD, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation. And rates of melanoma — a deadly form of skin cancer — rise until age 84, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The good news is most skin cancers, when diagnosed early, are curable, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. That’s why it’s so important to understand skin cancer — its causes, what it looks like, and risk factors. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your skin healthy, no matter your age.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a form of cancer that starts in skin cells and tissue. It also happens to be the most common type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Approximately 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

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What causes skin cancer?

The most prevalent cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. If you’ve ever been sunburned, you’ve dealt with damage from the sun’s UV rays. Indoor tanning beds also give off this form of light and can cause skin cancer, according to the CDC.

“More cases of skin cancer are linked to UV exposure than lung cancer is to smoking,” Dr. Hale says, citing tanning bed statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Recommended reading: What a Skin Cancer Expert Wants Older Adults to Know About Sunscreen

What are the different kinds of skin cancer?

Not every skin cancer is the same. There are three main types that occur in different parts of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma.  This is a nonmelanoma skin cancer that begins in the squamous cell layer of the skin. That’s the top layer of skin that you can see and touch.

Basal cell carcinoma. This is another nonmelanoma skin cancer. It begins in the basal cell layer of the skin, the lowest layer of skin.

Melanoma. This is the most serious form of skin cancer. It begins in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Though just one percent of skin cancers are melanoma, they are responsible for most skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Recommended reading: 4 Things Dermatologists Wish Older Adults Knew About Skin Care

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Skin cancer can develop on any part of your body, including between your toes and on your scalp, according to the AAD. Even the skin on the bottom of your feet is at risk.

To catch skin cancer early, it’s important to know your skin like — well — the back of your hand.

“Anything new, changing, or unusual should be seen by your dermatologist,” Dr. Hale says. New or changing moles and spots could be signs of skin cancer developing.

There are certain signs of a basal or squamous cell carcinoma that don’t look like a mole at all, though, Dr. Hale says.

Keep an eye out for:

• Thick, patchy skin that doesn’t go away with the use of a moisturizer or steroid cream
• A new pimple that sticks around for longer than three weeks or is changing
• A scaly patch of skin that’s growing thicker
• A sore that doesn’t seem to heal

Particularly worrisome is a heavily pigmented or black lesion, she says. That may be a sign of melanoma. If you spot this, you should see your doctor right away, Dr. Hale says.

Melanomas are often recognizable by these other signs, which the Skin Cancer Foundation calls the ABCDEs of melanoma:

• Asymmetrical
• Border that’s uneven
• Color, including multiple shades of brown, tan, or black
• Diameter or Dark, including one that’s larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser
• Evolving, meaning a spot that’s changing

The Skin Cancer Foundation includes pictures on their website, which can help you get a better idea of what to look out for.

Recommended reading: 5 Skin Secrets Only Your Dermatologist Knows

What is precancer of the skin?

Precancerous skin growth (also called actinic keratoses) is caused by UV damage, according to the AAD. These are suspicious growths that may develop into skin cancer, but sometimes they do not.

It’s not possible to know ahead of time whether precancer will grow into cancer. Because of this, doctors will typically recommend treatment right away. Treatment options for precancerous growths include:

• Scraping the spot from your skin
• Freezing the spot with cryosurgery
• Using a chemical peel
• Light therapy

What are the risk factors for skin cancer?

It’s possible for anybody to develop skin cancer. But certain people are more at risk for it than others.

Risk factors include:

• Having light skin or light eyes
• Having naturally blond or red hair
• Skin that burns easily
• The type and number of moles you have
• A personal or family history of skin cancer
• Age

“While skin cancer is more common in people who have light skin and eyes, we are seeing a rise in all skin types and ethnicities,” Dr. Hale says. “Skin cancer is relevant for everyone.”

How is skin cancer diagnosed?

If your dermatologist notices a suspicious mole or spot on your skin, they will conduct a skin exam, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Your doctor may also perform a biopsy to get a better look. They will numb the area and then remove a small piece of tissue to be viewed under a microscope.

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas rarely spread to other places in the body. Melanomas can spread, but those in very early stages usually don’t need additional imaging, according to the American Cancer Society. However, if your doctor suspects that your cancer may have spread, they will likely recommend an imaging test.

How is skin cancer treated?

Different skin cancers require different treatment.

If you are diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma, your dermatologist will typically remove the spot surgically, according to the AAD. Freezing and light therapy are other options. Sometimes, a topical medication may be used to shrink the size of the cancer before removal. This same medication can be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also treated by removing the cancerous tissue through surgery. Radiation may also be used to treat this particular type of cancer.

For melanoma, surgery is also the gold standard treatment, according to the American Cancer Society. If your melanoma is removed in the early stage, you likely won’t need any additional treatment. What’s more, in these early stages, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

If your melanoma has become more advanced or spread to other parts of your body, more treatments may be needed. Your doctor may recommend immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy.

What can older adults do to reduce their risk of skin cancer?

Even if you’ve never worried about skin cancer before, you can start taking steps now to minimize your risk. “It’s never too late,” Dr. Hale says.

Your best bet is to limit UV exposure. The CDC recommends all individuals take the following precautionary steps:

• Wear sunscreen of least SPF 30 or higher (Don’t forget to reapply!)
• Wear sunglasses
• Wear wide-brimmed hats
• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs
• Seek out shade
• Avoid indoor tanning

Also important: Getting an annual skin exam. There, your dermatologist will do a full-body check — even looking at your scalp and between your toes — to check for suspicious spots.

“We recommend an annual skin exam for people of all ages,” Dr. Hale says. “However, if you’ve already had skin cancer or have a first-degree relative diagnosed with melanoma, we encourage you to go every six months.”

A skin check allows your doctor to detect skin cancers in their precancerous or early stages, giving you the best chance of being cured.

Recommended reading: 10 Skin Care Mistakes That Can Make You Look Older

When should I talk to my doctor?

Besides going for regular skin checks, it’s important to know your moles, says Dr. Hale. Whenever you notice a new, unusual, or changing spot on your skin, make an appointment with your dermatologist or your doctor.

Thinking about skin cancer can feel scary and overwhelming. But with some simple safety measures and regular dermatologist checkups, you’ll be well on your way to having healthy skin for life.

Recommended reading: Are Skin Tags Dangerous?

See our sources:
Older adult skin cancer statistics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Skin cancer facts: Skin Cancer Foundation
Early detection: Skin Cancer Foundation
What is skin cancer: American Cancer Society
Skin cancer statistics: American Academy of Dermatology
What is a melanocyte: National Cancer Institute
Melanoma statistics: American Cancer Society
Cause of skin cancer: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Basic information about skin cancer: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms of skin cancer: American Academy of Dermatology
Melanoma warning signs: Skin Cancer Foundation
Precancer of the skin: American Academy of Dermatology
Risk factors for skin cancer: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Skin cancer diagnosis: National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society
Basal cell cancer treatment: American Academy of Dermatology
Squamous cell cancer treatment: American Academy of Dermatology
Melanoma treatment: American Cancer Society

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