Matthew Halpern, MD
As
summer kicks into high gear, skin cancer remains a concern among New Jersey
residents—down the shore or elsewhere. Before you hit the beaches, the park or
even the backyard, keep in mind these facts about skin cancer—it could save
your life.
1. Skin cancers
can occur on non-sun exposed parts of the body. Although the majority of non-melanoma skin
cancers occur on areas of the body that receive extensive sun exposure, skin
cancers can occur on parts of the body that receive little to no sunlight such as the armpit and
groin. In addition, the most common
location for melanoma skin cancers is on the chest and back for men and on the
legs for women. For this reason it is
important for at-risk individuals to undergo regular full body skin exams with
a board certified dermatologist.
2. Skin
cancers can occur on patients with darker skin types. Although non-melanoma skin cancers occur 70
times more frequently in lightly pigmented skin than darkly pigmented skin,
they can occur in patients of all skin types. Squamous cell carcinoma is the
most common skin cancer in darkly pigmented patients. Interestingly, two thirds
of these develop in non sun-exposed sites such the lower extremities, old scars
and the anus.
3. Immune system
impairment increases likelihood of skin cancer development. Individuals who
have undergone organ transplantation or have any underlying condition that
impairs their immune system have to be watched very carefully by a
dermatologist for skin cancers which can behave more aggressive in this subset
of patients.
4. Sunscreen
is important for adults as well as children. Although skin cancers result from
childhood sun exposure, use of sunscreens now decreases the rate of occurrence
and rate of progression of new skin cancers.
5. One treatment
option for skin cancers is called Mohs
micrographic surgery.
For non-melanoma skin cancers on the head and neck, Mohs micrographic surgery is
the treatment that offers the highest cure rate and minimizes scarring. Mohs
surgery can also be performed for skin cancers that have certain high risk
features or have recurred after more superficial treatments.
Find
out more about preventative measures and treatment options by scheduling an
appointment with Windsor Dermatology Board-certified physician. Call
609-443-4500.
