When I worked in Mohs surgery in the dermatology department, I was unaware of what I was getting myself into. I had heard of basal cell carcinoma because a family member had it. However, I thought she was like one in a million. Turns out, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. You should schedule a yearly skin check with a dermatologist, and if you ever suspect melanoma, tell the scheduler immediately so they can prioritize your appointment despite the long wait times many clinics have. Whether you need a referral depends on your insurance, but you typically shouldn’t. If a mole worries you, especially one that’s changing or looks suspicious, reach out and ask if they can get you in sooner.
There are different types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma. They all differ in prevalence, severity, and risk of spreading. The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Here’s some information that you need to know about each type.
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It often presents as a pearly or flesh‑colored bump, a pink patch, or a flat, scaly area, most frequently on sun‑exposed areas such as the head, face, and neck. BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads, but if left untreated, it can cause significant local tissue damage.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma, which is generally more aggressive than BCC, is the second most common skin cancer, arising from squamous cells in the epidermis. It typically appears as a red, firm bump, a scaly patch, or a sore that heals and reopens. SCC often develops on sun‑exposed areas like the ears, face, neck, arms, chest, and back.
3. Melanoma
Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the pigment‑producing cells of the skin. Although less common than BCC or SCC, melanoma is far more aggressive and can spread rapidly to other organs. The ABCDE rule—Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolution—helps identify suspicious lesions. Early detection is critical for survival.
4. Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive skin cancer that develops from neuroendocrine cells in the skin. It usually appears as a firm, painless nodule, often on sun‑exposed areas. Because it has a high risk of spreading, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer includes UV tanning devices in its Group 1, a list of agents that are cancer-causing to humans.
Over 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are correlated to indoor tanning, including about 245,000 basal cell carcinomas, 168,000 squamous cell carcinomas and 6,200 melanomas.
People developed skin cancer everywhere—eyebrows, ears, scalp, nose, eyelids, arms, legs, back, chest—so apply sunscreen daily to every exposed area, because while Mohs surgery can remove cancer by excising the tissue, checking it under the microscope, and stitching the site closed, it’s far better to prevent the damage in the first place.
The average cost of Mohs surgery in the U.S. ranges from $1,500 to $5,000, and after seeing how skin cancer can appear anywhere—from the scalp and ears to the chest and legs—I now apply sunscreen daily, everywhere. Daily use of a reputable sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage, lowers cancer risk, and keeps your skin looking youthful, and you should avoid beef‑tallow “sunscreens” because they lack actual UV‑blocking ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
One sunscreen that was recommended in the dermatology office was La Roche-Posay. Sunscreen comes in all forms: lotions, sprays, sticks, makeup, and powders. Mineral sunscreens are ideal.
I love Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer sunscreen because it doesn’t smell like sunscreen, and while that classic sunscreen scent makes me nostalgic for lake days and beach trips, I don’t want to smell like I just came from the beach on a Tuesday morning. Sun Bum makes a scalp‑specific sunscreen mist, but I usually just spray regular sunscreen on my scalp because it’s more cost‑effective. Your skin is your largest organ, so protect it year‑round, schedule annual dermatology checks, get suspicious spots evaluated promptly, and build a daily sunscreen habit by keeping it visible and easy to use, focusing on consistency rather than perfection.
Featured image via Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
