What is skin cancer?Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States; the most common type is basal cell skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Nearly 5 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year. 1 out of 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. While death from basal and squamous cell skin cancers are uncommon, they can be destructive to surrounding areas of the body and can occasionally spread to other sites.

Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most common cause of skin cancer deaths; 20 Americans die from melanoma every day.

What does skin cancer look like?Skin cancer can look like a lot of different things. It might start as a “crusty” looking bump or scab. It might itch, ooze, or bleed. Melanoma often looks like a mole; it may arise from an existing mole or in a new mole entirely. When looking for melanoma, you might remember the ACDEs:

A: Asymmetry (does the mole look the same on both sides?)B: Borders (are the borders regular?)C: Color (is the color uniform throughout?)D: Diameter (is it smaller than a pencil eraser?)E: Evolving (is it changing?)

Here are some examples of photos of melanoma from VisualDx:

If you notice a spot on your skin that is unusual, new, or growing, it is always a good idea to check with your dermatologist!

How do I protect my skin?There are so many ways to protect your skin! It can be difficult to get into the habit, but even adopting one of these practices is better than nothing!

1. Wear sunscreen. Try to wear a daily sunscreen. Apply sunscreens every 80-90 minutes when you are outdoors. When you are looking for a sunscreen, know that there are physical blockers and chemical blockers. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) reflect the sun’s rays. They are not absorbed by the skin, so they may give you a “white” look. Physical blockers are often the most mild of sunscreen formulas and best for those who have sensitive skin. Chemical blockers (benzophenones, avobenzone, octinoxate, etc.) absorb the sun’s rays and prevent them from reaching your body. While they blend in well, they are more prone to cause allergic reactions on the skin. At the end of the day, it is a personal choice and either type is okay! Just make sure that it is broad-spectrum (protects from both UVA and UVB rays) and water-resistant (protects while swimming and sweating).

2. Wear a hat. Hats with at least 3 inch brims are arguably the best way to prevent your face and neck from sun damage!

3. Wear sun protective clothing or rash guards. There are many upscale brands that sell UPF (sun protective) clothing. These can be expensive, but sleeves/rash guards (great for the pool) are cheap on Amazon. Department stores like Walmart and Target also carry sun protective shirts for yourself and children.

4. Seek out shade. Take a break from the sun!5. Sunglasses. Wear sunglasses to protect the areas around your eyes (especially since

people usually don’t apply sunscreen here!)

What else can I do for my skin?You can ALWAYS schedule a full-body skin examination with a board-certified dermatologist. To find a dermatologist in your area, you can check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s search bar (https://find-a-derm.aad.org//?location=) and plug in your zip code.

If you are interested in attending a free skin cancer screening, you can also find free screenings in your area by searching(https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/programs/screenings/find-a-screening

For more information on skin cancer and sun safety, please check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s SPOTme Skin Cancer Screening website (https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/programs/screenings)

Resources for Medical Students:Please find a document on how to plan your own skin cancer screening at https://derminterest.com/sun-protection/

Please consider filling out this database (https://forms.gle/RCtTKDnzRa7cUBPY6) with information about your sun screening or contact information if you are interested in hosting an event!

Any other ideas? Please reach out to Lindsey at volle025@umn.edu!