Health & Fitness
10 Common Myths About Skin Cancer
May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, the perfect time to educate yourself on sun safety.
Everyone loves a bright sunny day, but blistering sunburns are real, and exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the leading cause of melanoma and other dangerous forms of skin cancer. That's why taking necessary precautions and learning to protect your skin is so important.
And since May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, now is the perfect time to learn about sun safety, skin cancer detection and treatments.
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Fade Mahmoud, M.D., is a Hematology Oncologist at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Clinic in Gilbert, Arizona. He specializes in the treatment of melanoma and sarcoma and has debunked 10 of the most common myths about skin cancer, below.
When it comes to taking care of your dermis, knowledge is power, and understanding how to be safe in the sun will give you peace of mind for many years to come.
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Myth #1 - It’s just skin cancer, nothing that serious.
Truth: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In 2019, it's expected that 7,230 Americans will die from melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in young women ages 25-30 and the second leading cause of cancer death in women ages 30-35.
Myth #2 - You need frequent, heavy sun exposure for years to develop melanoma.
Truth: Unfortunately, it only takes one blistering sunburn — especially at a young age — to double a person's risk of developing melanoma later in life. According to Dr. Mahmoud, experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases your melanoma risk by 80 percent and non-melanoma skin cancer risk by 68 percent. Nearly 90 percent of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight. A family history of melanoma also puts you at higher risk.
Myth #3 - People with darker skin don't get melanoma.
Truth: People with lighter skin and eye color might be at a higher risk of melanoma, but anyone can get it. The lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 1 in 40 for Caucasians, 1 in 200 for Hispanics, and 1 in 1,000 for African Americans. Research has also shown that patients of color are less likely than Caucasian patients to survive melanoma.
Myth #4 - Melanoma is incredibly rare and mostly affects older people.
Truth: This deadly skin cancer does not discriminate by race, gender or age. According to Dr. Mahmoud, the incidence of people under 30 developing melanoma is increasing faster than any other demographic. In 2019, over 96,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with invasive melanoma. In ages 15-29, melanoma is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer. It's the main cause of cancer death for women between the ages of 25 and 30, and approximately 500 American children are diagnosed each year.
Myth #5 - You only need to wear sunscreen on sunny days.
Truth: Even on cloudy days, 80 percent of the sun's UV rays are able to penetrate the clouds to reach our skin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the highest rates of melanoma are in some of the cloudiest states, like Washington, Oregon, and Vermont. In these areas, people may not apply sunscreen as frequently because overcast weather provides them with a false sense of protection. You should still wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
Myth #6 - You need to be in the sun without sunscreen in order to get Vitamin D.
Truth: While Vitamin D is important for promoting strong, healthy bones and your skin does produce it when exposed to the sun's UV rays, there are safer and more efficient ways to get it. For instance, you can take Vitamin D supplements or eat vitamin-fortified foods.
Myth #7 - Tanning beds are safer than the sun.
Truth: Tanning beds are actually much more dangerous than the sun. A 2003 study of tanning facilities in North Carolina found that the average amount of UVA radiation emitted by tanning beds was four times higher than what's emitted by noontime sun, and the average UVB radiation level was nearly twice as high. The younger a person is when they begin using tanning beds, the greater their risk for skin cancer. Starting indoor tanning before age 18 increases melanoma risk by 85%. Starting between ages 18 and 24 increases melanoma risk by 91%.
Myth #8 - Melanoma can only occur on the skin.
Truth: Unfortunately, melanoma is not just a skin cancer. Melanoma can develop anywhere in the body — including the eyes, scalp, nails, feet, and areas with mucous membranes like the mouth, sinuses, nasal passages, oral cavity and genitals.
Myth #9 - Melanomas are always dark in color.
Truth: Some melanomas called "melanotic melanoma" have virtually no color at all. As Dr. Mahmoud explains, these unpigmented melanomas can be pinkish-looking, reddish, purple, normal skin color or essentially clear. Melanotic melanomas do display other warning signs, such as asymmetry and irregular borders. It is recommended that you examine your skin head-to-toe every month, and if you find a new mole or any sign of change in an existing mole, see a skin specialist immediately.
Myth #10 - Sunscreen is the only way to protect yourself against skin cancer.
Truth: While sunscreen is a helpful way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, avoiding the sun during peak hours is even more effective. Stay in the shade whenever possible and make an extra effort to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when its rays are the strongest. Wear protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
If you’re going to be outside, even on a cloudy day, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that shields you from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every two hours during sun exposure.
At Banner Health, the primary focus is safety and prevention, but should you develop skin cancer, they're ready to identify it quickly and treat it effectively.