Preventing Skin Cancer During Summer

June is skin cancer awareness month, and as summer heats up, it’s important to know the preventive measures to stay safe under the sun. 

Skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and the more aggressive melanoma, is primarily caused by excessive sun exposure, blistering sunburns and tanning bed use. 

“People most at risk are the fair skinned people, red hair, blonde hair, blue eyes,” Mark Cripe, DO, OhioHealth breast and melanoma surgeon, told NBC4 reporter Rachel Ramsey. “We recommend you do a self-skin examination once a month, very similar to a breast exam … and you’re paying attention to all of your skin, even the skin that’s covered.” 

Skin cancer can develop in unexpected areas, such as the bottom of your feet and under nail beds, Dr. Cripe said, making thorough self-examinations crucial. He advised looking for changes in moles or lesions, noting characteristics like asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors and sizes larger than seven millimeters. 

Dr. Cripe suggested taking photos and measuring moles to help track changes over time. If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to see a doctor. However, annual dermatologist visits are recommended for anyone with significant sun exposure or a family history of melanoma. 

If skin cancer is detected, dermatologists typically perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. “Often it’s just what I call a shave excision where they can just shave off that top layer of skin to get a diagnosis,” Dr. Cripe said. “Other ways they could do is what’s called a punch biopsy where they can remove or excise that whole area.” 

“The best way to treat cancer is to prevent cancer and not ever develop it,” he said. Avoid going outside during peak sun hours, (noon to 5 p.m.) wear UPF clothing and a full-brimmed hat and use SPF 30 sunscreen if you must be outside. 

And for younger individuals, prevention is essential. “A lot of sun exposure and sun damage happens in your teens and early 20s,” Dr. Cripe said. “So tanning bed use is something we really want to encourage people to stay away from.” 

Parents should also ensure they reapply sunscreen to their children every two hours and encourage staying under umbrellas to minimize sun exposure. 

To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here.