Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. About 9,500 people are diagnosed every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetime. A leading cause is overexposure to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is imperative to understand the risks and how to identify and prevent skin cancer, especially since so much construction work is done outside.
Skin cancer cases are up nearly 300% in the last 10 years. Forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), Kaposi sarcoma (KS), melanoma and lymphomas of the skin.
Specific types of skin cancer
Although basal cell carcinomas typically occur on areas of the body exposed to the sun, such as the face, head and neck, they can occur anywhere. They may appear as flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, or like scars with raised reddish patches that might be itchy. Basal cell cancers can also have small, pink or red, translucent, shiny and pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown or black areas.
Squamous cell carcinomas often develop on sun-exposed areas of the body. However, it is possible for them to occur in scars or skin sores elsewhere. They can appear as rough or scaly red patches, which might crust or bleed; raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center; open sores that don’t heal, or that heal and then come back; or wart-like growths.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), MCC often first appears as a single pink, red or purple shiny bump that may not hurt. Sometimes the skin on the top of the tumor breaks open and bleeds. This form of skin cancer is rare.
KS typically appears in purple, red or brown lesions on the skin that can be flat and not raised above the surrounding skin in patches. They can also be flat but slightly raised in the form of plaques or bumps called nodules.
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer and appears in the form of unusual moles, sores, lumps, blemishes, markings or changes in the way the skin looks or feels. Most people have moles. However, if one changes in size or color, it could indicate a problem. The ACS provides the ABCDE rule to help people keep a lookout for potentially dangerous spots.
- Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
- Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
- Color: The color is not the same all over and may include different shades of brown or black, or sometimes patches of pink, red, white or blue.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch—the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or color.
You can see and feel skin lymphomas. They are identifiable as papules, patches, plaques, nodules or tumors. Unexplained weight loss, fever, profuse sweating and severe itchiness can also be symptoms.
Skin cancer can affect anyone, and when detected early, it is very treatable. According to the AAD, “The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to nearby lymph nodes is 68%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to distant lymph nodes and other organs is 30%.”
One of the leading risk factors for skin cancer is excessive exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or using indoor tanning beds. Avoid tanning beds. Most melanoma diagnoses can be linked to UV exposure. Sunburns, especially during childhood or adolescence, vastly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Fair-skinned, blonde and red-headed individuals are more susceptible to melanomas. Additionally, those diagnosed with skin cancers have a higher risk of experiencing breast, prostate, thyroid and other cancers.
Necessary protection
When working outdoors, wear sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection. Additionally, seek shade and avoid working in direct sunlight when possible. If not, work should be done in shorter intervals.
Finally, the AAD encourages everyone to perform regular skin self-exams to check for signs of skin cancer. Roughly 50% of melanomas are self-identified. Individuals concerned about possible indications of skin cancer should consult a doctor.
Header image: shutterstock / ADragan
About The Author
O’CONNOR is safety and regulatory affairs manager for Intec, a safety consulting, training and publishing firm. Reach him at [email protected].