Winter is here, and for many of us in the Northern Nevada area, that means engaging in plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you walk, bike, or hit the beach, you'll find fun in the sun after our long winter. June is Men's Health Month, and since skin cancer is so common, especially in Northern Nevada men, we thought we'd share some information on what the most common skin cancer in men looks like. in the U.S. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more men than women develop melanoma after age 50 . One in 28 white men will experience melanoma in his lifetime.
We contacted Dr. Michael Zumwalt , a board-certified dermatologist and fellow-trained Mohs surgeon at the Institute of Dermatology and Skin Cancer in Carson , for information on skin cancer screening.
Do you have any skin cancer screening tips for early detection of skin cancer?
I find that patients are generally good at spotting the early signs and symptoms of skin cancer. In more than half of the skin cancers I have diagnosed and treated, the patient saw the lesion and was referred for evaluation. Skin cancer can manifest itself in different ways depending on the type of skin cancer. However, I find these to be very common warning signs.
1. Desquamation / Bleeding. This is probably the most common symptom in skin cancer patients. It is often heard that men, especially when they shave, have a piercing somewhere. Continued bleeding anywhere is common, so it's important to see a dermatologist right away if you experience it.
2. Pains that come and go. This is characteristic of basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer). Patients often notice that they have a focal area of bleeding/rupture that is initially mistaken for a cyst because it appears to have completely resolved but returns to the same location. It is important to note that facial skin cancer can resemble acne in its early stages. If the affected area does not resolve within two weeks, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
3. Pain. Pain is another important symptom in some skin cancer tests. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common type of skin cancer) often have pain and discomfort. Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes grows rapidly (doubling in size every two weeks). If you notice a new painful skin lesion, it's important to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
4. The ugly duckling mole. This last symptom is specific to the diagnosis of melanoma, the third most common skin cancer. Melanoma is a deadly cancer if not diagnosed early. The most common symptom of this type of skin cancer is a growing/changing mole that is different from the rest of your mole (the ugly duckling sign). Any new/changed or unusual moles that are different from your other moles should be evaluated right away.
What type of skin cancer do you think is the most difficult to diagnose and is often overlooked by patients? What advice can you give to help detect this small type of skin cancer?
The most difficult diagnoses that I regularly diagnose are invasive basal cell carcinoma and melanoma in situ, the first type of melanoma. Infiltrating basal cell carcinoma is an aggressive type of basal cell carcinoma that usually appears as small, curved white spots on the head and neck. These skin cancers usually do not have the four common skin cancer symptoms mentioned above. This is because invasive basal cell carcinoma grows as a root in the skin, leaving the top layer of skin, the epidermis, intact. It takes a keen eye to spot this skin cancer. I advise patients to look at their facial skin in the mirror and look carefully for any new lesions, including small, white, cut facial scars.
Melanoma in situ, grade 0 melanoma, is the most common type of melanoma diagnosed. The good news is that this early form of melanoma is not life-threatening. The problem is that this skin cancer is sometimes difficult to diagnose because melanoma in situ doesn't always follow the ugly duckling rule. usually melanoma instead Like a thin, ill-defined, slightly irregular, light brown sunspot. I've seen this type of skin cancer diagnosed on the face over the years because the lesions don't seem to bother you until you know what they're looking for. Knowing your sun spots and having your dermatologist evaluate any new or changing sun spots is important for early detection of melanoma.
If you're concerned about a lesion or wart, you can easily schedule an appointment with Carson Dermatology and Skin Cancer at SkinCancerDerm.com .
About skin care providers
Dr. Michael Zumwalt is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and board-certified dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatology and Skin Cancer. Location of the city of Carson . She is eager to use her knowledge to help her patients heal from skin cancer. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family hiking, mountain biking, camping, and other outdoor activities.