Melanoma, the Most Deadly Skin Cancer

As the weather heats up and as more people head outside for extended periods of time, Dermatologist Dr. Sabra Sullivan wants everyone to be aware of the dangers of too much sun exposure on the skin. Dr. Sullivan spoke with MPB’s Karen Brown on the dangers of Melanoma as the most deadly of skin cancers.

Karen: What’s the best way to avoid getting melanoma?

Dr. Sullivan: We know the one thing we can change in your risk for melanoma is the number of sunburns you received before the age of 18. The amount of sunlight you get before the age of 18 helps determine your risk for skin cancer later in life particularly the melanoma types. Everyone wants to go outside, have a good time, you can do that. We’re all going to get sunlight in fact we need a little bit of sunlight. We get enough vitamin D within 5 to 10 minutes walking outside.

Karen: What is the time period over which a melanoma develops?

Dr. Sullivan: We can’t tell you what exactly the time period is. IT comes up in the skin and does this or that I can tell you it is the most deadly of skin cancers. Caught early it’s curable. Once it’s metastisized it’s very hard to eradicate and deal with.

Karen: But generally, is it a matter of weeks, months, years?

Dr. Sullivan: I would say years, months to years in most people. It’s like smoking. It’s cumulative.

Karen: Is there a direct correlation between people who develop skin cancer and the jobs they hold? People who work outside, are they more likely to develop skin cancer?

Dr. Sullivan: Yes, absolutely.

Karen: Is it more common among men or women?

Dr. Sullivan: No, it’s related to your family history and your genetics and your skin type, obviously. But it is cumulative sun exposure which is why we advocate wearing sunscreen and using caution in the sun. If you’re an outdoor worker you should use a sunscreen and protective clothing.

Karen: If you’re more fair skinned than olive skinned, are you more likely to develop skin cancer?

Dr. Sullivan: Absolutely and if you’re a red-headed Caucasian you’re much more likely than someone who’s African American even though AA still get melanoma.

Karen: Do African Americans need to wear sun block?

Dr. Sullivan: Usually not unless there’s a certain medical condition such as lupus or something else going on. You can have a regular screening by your physician but what we always look for; we want to notice a chance. Usually, these days, I don’t see someone coming in with some of the tumors we had twenty years ago. You look for something that’s changing, that won’t heal, and that may look a little bit different in color or just doesn’t feel right. Half of all melanomas don’t arise in an existing mole. They may be a new mole. Basal cells might be a little area. You’re washing your face and you notice some blood on the bath cloth. But there are certainly signs along the way. Or you have a tender spot on your skin or irregular color. There are very subtle signs early on.

Karen: Is there an age range where people are most likely to develop skin cancer?

Dr. Sullivan: We used to look at people over 50. That’s not true anymore. It’s unusual to have a malignant melanoma in people under the age of 18 but it can happen. We see people in their twenties and late teens, and although it’s more rare, not in the twenties but in the late teens with basal cells and squamous cells. Everyone should examine their skin once a month and look at every bit of their skin. It takes two minutes. Get a mirror. Get a Mom, get a Dad, get a spouse and look at what’s normal for you. We generally talk about the ABCD’s when we’re talking about melanoma … asymmetry, border, diameter, but you’re looking for change. Unless there’s a condition going on, if you’re under 13, we’re not looking to find a bunch of skin cancer on you but it happens. So, you look for things that are changing.