Incidents of skin cancer have grown at a surprising rate over the past decade in both men and women.

 

“Over the past few years there has been an alarming increase in incidents of melanoma in Pennsylvania, and particularly right here in Lancaster County,” says Randall Oyer, MD, Program Director of the Lancaster General Cancer Program.

 

Citing a recent Drexel University report, Dr. Oyer says that while Pennsylvania reported 17.2 incidents of melanoma per 100,000 people last year, the Lancaster County rate for the deadliest form of skin cancer was at 23.1 per 100,000.

 

That’s a significant increase from 1999-2001, when 14.2 per 100,000 incidents were reported in the state and 17.1 per 100,000 in Lancaster County. While melanoma accounts for about 5% of all cases of skin cancer, it is also responsible for about 80% of the deaths.

 

“There are more cases of skin cancer than all other cancers combined,” says Patrick Feehan, MD, of Dermatology Associates of Lancaster. “Fortunately, most are not dangerous, though it does require early diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated, even non-melanoma skin cancer can be fatal.”

 

But it’s also a highly preventable form of cancer if you take proper precautions while out in the sun.
“I always remind my patients to slip, slap and slop when they go outside,” Dr. Feehan says. “Slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, and slop on the sunscreen. Remember to apply it liberally and frequently.”

 

While a total block sunscreen with a 30 SPF rating or higher provides protection against harmful UVB rays, Dr. Feehan recommends using a sunscreen that also includes added protection from UVA rays.

 

“Avoiding prolonged exposure during the intense periods of sunlight during the day—usually between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.—can also help protect you from unhealthy sun exposure and sunburn,” Dr. Oyer says.

 

Dr. Feehan and Dr. Oyer agree that tanning bed usage increases your risk of skin cancer.

 

“Anyone who has ever used a tanning bed has a skin cancer risk that is eight times greater than the baseline average,” Dr. Oyer says. “The greater the time of exposure, the greater the risk.”

 

“The ultraviolet light from tanning beds is a factor in skin cancer, especially melanoma,” Dr. Feehan says. He says the UVA rays produced in tanning beds can have an affect on the skin and the body’s immune system.

 

Sun exposure is important for Vitamin D, but Dr. Feehan says it is easily obtained by short walks outside in sunlight, with vitamin supplements and in our diet.

 

For anyone looking for a tanned look, he recommends a safe tanning lotion or spray tan, which can add color to the skin tone that will last several days.

 

Left untreated, melanoma can spread to other organs in the body. “Melanoma will spread more quickly than other skin cancers, so the sooner the treatment, the better,” Dr. Oyer says.

 

When caught early, a complete surgical removal is usually all that is necessary to remove the health threat from that particular lesion. However, a person who has had melanoma has a 20% chance of experiencing another melanoma.

 

People at higher risk should schedule annual visits with a dermatologist. That includes people who have:

 

 

If you begin to notice unusual spots and skin changes, such as persistent red patches and areas that itch or bleed, consult your family physician, or a dermatologist at the first sign of any changing growth.

• Lancaster General Woman: Skin Cancer
• Generally Speaking: Protection from Skin Cancer
• Health Library: Facts About Skin Cancer
• Health Library: Causes of Skin Cancer
• Physician Chronicles: Can Sunblock and Insect Repellant Be Used on Infants & Children?