Dan Rather Says His Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Diagnosis Was 'Humbling'
- Veteran news anchor Dan Rather, 92, returns to CBS for an interview to discuss his long and storied career in the news industry after more than 40 years with the network. In 2004, he underwent treatment for skin cancer.
- The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. In melanoma skin cancer cases, it is more likely to impact nearby tissue and spread or metastasize to other parts of the body.
- Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common type of skin cancer. During the outpatient procedure, a surgeon makes the tiniest cuts and evaluates them microscopically; the surgeon knows for certain that all the cancer is out when the last piece of tissue proves to be clear.
- Dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, which protects against UVB and UVA rays. Applying it every two hours also helps ensure adequate protection over time.
- Melanoma is most likely to develop on sun-exposed skin areas like the face, neck, arms, and legs. However, skin cancer can also develop on the palms of your hands, soles of your feet — and even in your eyes and mouth.
- The most important thing to look out for when finding skin cancer, including melanoma, is a new spot on your skin or a spot changing in size, shape, or color.
Veteran journalist Dan Rather, 92, who was once the face of CBS Evening News, will highlight his many years in journalism in an upcoming interview on the network roughly two decades after stepping down as one of its top news anchors.
Shortly before leaving the network, Rather was also diagnosed with skin cancer, which he described as a humbling experience.
Rather’s last appearance as the CBS Evening News anchor was March 9, 2005.
Rather was friends with fellow news veteran Tom Brokaw who was among NBC News longest running journalists before retirement.
In 2013, Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and he recalled the experience being a tough one to endure. In fact, the disease caused him to take a step back from NBC, where he made his career, before his full retirement in 2021. Multiple myeloma is a rare type of blood cancer that hinders the body’s ability to fight infections. It can cause weakness, dizziness, bone pain, and confusion, among other symptoms.
WATCH: Tom Brokaw on his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Brokaw turned to a breakthrough chemotherapy drug Revlimid (generic name lenalidomide), which has been shown to improve survival for patients. Now in retirement, Brokaw is still thriving more than a decade after his diagnosis.
More Resources on Basal Cell Carcinoma
- How Dangerous Is Jill Biden’s Type Of Skin Cancer? Learning About Basal Cell Carcinoma.
- Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma: Mohs Surgery Removes This Skin Cancer With Smaller Incisions and More Certainty
- Former NBC Correspondent Jeff Rossen, 44, Undergoes Mohs Surgery After His Melanoma Returns In Second Skin Cancer Battle
Dan’s Skin Cancer Diagnosis
According to NBC “Today,” Rather had been diagnosed with basal skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and is highly curable. It causes a “lump, bump, or lesion to form on the outside layer of your skin” where there is a lot of sun exposure.
He stepped away from the anchor desk for a few days to undergo treatment in January 2004. He underwent surgery to remove the skin cancer cells.
After treatment, he told news viewers at the time, “It remains a humbling learning experience.”
He ended the newscast upon his return, urging viewers to undergo routine checks for skin cancer.
Mohs Surgery
Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common type of skin cancer.
WATCH: Understanding Mohs Surgery
‘You are able to remove a very conservative margin around cancer and study it in essentially real-time, ‘ explains Dr. Sumaira Aasi, Professor of Dermatology and Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford. If cancer is found when the surgeon examines the tissue under the microscope, the surgeon goes back and removes some more tissue.
The idea is that by making the tiniest cuts and evaluating them microscopically, the surgeon knows for sure that all the cancer is out when the last piece of tissue proves to be clear. It is often done as an outpatient procedure with local anesthetic.
Skin Cancer Can Occur Just About Anywhere
The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
In melanoma skin cancer cases, it is more likely to impact nearby tissue and spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Melanoma also causes the most skin cancer deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. It starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that allows them to spread to other organs.
According to SurvivorNet’s experts, changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma. You’ll want to watch for them and tell your doctor about any changes you notice.
You’re most likely to find melanoma on sun-exposed skin areas like your face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, you might also find them in other places as well, like:
- The palms of your hands or soles of your feet
- On your eyes or mouth
- Under your nails
SurvivorNet skin cancer experts recommend avoiding unprotected sun exposure because ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to melanoma. Tanning beds pose ultraviolet radiation risks for skin cancer and should be avoided. Many dermatologists recommend using spray tans to reduce the risk of melanoma skin cancer.
WATCH: Examining Your Skin for Skin Cancer.
SurvivorNet’s medical experts say the most important thing to look for when finding melanoma is a new spot on your skin or a spot changing in size, shape, or color.
When you check your skin, use the acronym ABCDE as your guide. Look for:
- Asymmetrical moles: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match?
- Borders: Is the mole irregular or jagged?
- Colors: Are there multiple distinct colors in the mole?
- Diameter: Is the mole larger than 6 millimeters (mm), about the size of a pencil head eraser?
- Evolution: Has the mole’s color, shape, or size changed over time?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, our experts say it’s time to see your dermatologist for a skin check.
How to Protect Against Skin Cancer
Wearing sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful sun rays that can cause skin cancer. Apply a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours and wear sun-protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses, when possible.
WATCH: Choosing the right sunscreen.
“When it comes to melanoma, if you use sunscreen, there is this great study that came out of Australia that showed that if patients used sunscreen consistently over a period of 10 years, they were actually able to reduce their risk for melanoma by 50%,” dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca tells SurvivorNet.
Many types of sunscreen are on the market, and choosing the right one can be confusing. However, experts tell SurvivorNet that the best type of sunscreen depends on your outdoor plans.
Dr. Snehal Amin, a dermatologist in Manhattan, further explains this point.
Are you looking for a great sunscreen for kids? “When using sunscreens on my younger kids, I recommend Neutrogena free and clear stick—which is zinc and titanium-based,” Dr. Amin said.
Do you play outdoor or water sports? “I make sure that I use a sports-based sunscreen. There are a lot of sports-based sunscreens … They all are very greasy, and they stay on the skin even during water activities,” Dr. Amin said.
How else can I protect my skin? Sunscreen isn’t the only option for protecting your skin from the sun—you can also wear SPF-proof clothing. “Rather than slathering a gallon of sunscreen onto your skin and then going for a dip … it probably makes sense to wear a long-sleeved surf shirt, as well as certain other types of sunscreens, which are more inert to protect the environment.”
Dr. Larocca recommends using sunscreen with no less than SPF 30, which protects against UVB and UVA rays.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, you should:
- Avoid sun exposure during peak hours when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.
- Use at least SPF 30 broad spectrum sunblock and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
Questions to Ask Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with melanoma or some other type of skin cancer, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to help understand your situation:
- Has my skin cancer spread to different parts of the body, or is it localized?
- What are my treatment options?
- Will there be side effects associated with my treatment?
- What types of financial and emotional support will be available to me as I begin my cancer journey?
- How long do you expect my treatments to last?
- Will I be able to work and continue my daily activities during treatment?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
