Learning about Skin Cancer
- Actress Melanie Griffith was recently spotted with a new scar on the left side of her face. It’s unclear if this scar is the result of another skin cancer surgery.
- Griffith previously shared that she had surgery to remove an early stage skin cancer back in 2009, and she also shared that she had surgery to remove a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in 2018.
- BCC is the most common form of skin cancer. It tends to grow more slowly, but BCC can often be overlooked as a pimple or skin tag. They can look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, scars or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and/or a central indentation. These spots may ooze, crust, itch or bleed.
- We can get sun damage at any time throughout the year, even in the cold, wintry months. Our experts recommend skin protection all year round. One of our experts recommends wearing zinc oxide paste on your nose for those ski days on the mountain.
- No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.
Griffith was out in West Hollywood, California, on Friday afternoon when cameras caught a glimpse of “a large new scar on the left side of her face,” according to the Daily Mail.
Read MoreMelanie Griffith’s Skin Cancer Journey
As far as we know, Melanie Griffith’s journey with skin cancer began back in 2009 when she was photographed with a black eye. Sadly, the resulting speculations from tabloids were absurd. People were even suggesting that the actress then married to Antonio Banderas received the mark from a spat with her husband.
Griffith quickly decided enough was enough. She put the rumors to rest by explaining that her black eye was the result of a surgery to remove an early stage skin cancer from her face.
Fast forward to 2018, and Griffith was dealing with the disease yet again. She posted a photo of herself with a band-aid on her nose following dermabrasion to remove another cancerous spot.
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“Bandaged again after having dermabrasion, the final step to fix the now removed [basal] cell skin cancer,” she wrote in her caption. “If any of you have it, get it fixed. If you lay in the sun, are exposed to lots of sun, be CAREFUL. Use sun screen. Get checked out by your Dermatologist. If you don't have one, get one, or go to your nearest clinic and ask to be tested for it. More info to come!”
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and develops when basal cells, one of three main types of cells in the top layer of the skin, grow abnormally or uncontrollably.
Tanning Salons Pose a Big Risk for Skin Cancer
One distinguishing factor of this type of skin cancer is that it tends to grow more slowly resulting in minimal damage and making it generally curable when caught and treated early.
The tricky thing, however, is that BCC can often be overlooked as a pimple or skin tag. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, they can look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, scars or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and/or a central indentation. These spots may ooze, crust, itch or bleed. In patients with darker skin, about half of BCCs are pigmented (meaning brown in color).
No matter what, if you have a spot on your skin that seems abnormal or questionable, you should consult your doctor because BCC can look very different from person to person.
Understanding Skin Cancer
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it the most common cancer in the United States.
Skin cancers more commonly occur on parts of the body that tend to get more sun like the face, head, neck and arms, but they can develop anywhere on the body including places like the bottoms of your feet, your genitals and inside your mouth.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about how to best reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are her top five ways to try to avoid the disease:
- Avoid sun during peak hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of our heads, the tops of our ears and the delicate area around the eye.
- Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen and make sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
- Have yearly skin checks (with a professional) because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body.
- Avoid tanning beds. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer.
No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.
Skin Protection Needed All Year Round
Dr. Dendy Engelman says it's a common misconception that the need for sun protection is seasonal.
"My patients ask me all the time, 'Do I really need sunscreen every day, all year round?' The answer is yes," Dr. Engelman told SurvivorNet. "People think they only need sun protection when they're in the bright, warm sunshine. But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year, even in the cold, wintry months. Think about when you go skiing. That's a very high risk. Even though it's cold, our skin should be protected."
So, don't forget your sunscreen when you hit the slopes! And if you're still unconvinced of the effects of unprotected sun exposure in the winter, try to think more big picture.
"The reality is, the sun can damage us even in incidental exposure," Dr. Engelman said. "If we're unprotected, for even 15 minutes a day, if we think about the cumulative effects that has on our skin over a lifetime, it's very real… The more we [wear sunscreen], the more we're protected. The more our risk is limited."
To make sure you keep up with skin protection throughout the winter, Dr. Engelman recommends making a habit out of it.
"I just tell patients, 'Make it part of your daily routine. Just like you brush your teeth, you should be reaching for sunscreen every day,’" she said.
But sun protection is only really effective if you're doing it wisely. Dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin, the co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, says finding the right skin protection depends on the activities you'll be doing.
"If you want to engage in outdoor activities, which is great for your health and is really a lot of fun, it's important to make sure you don't also get a sunburn," he said. "Now if you're like me, and you like to surf, or wind surf, or ski or anything like that, most of those activities can't be done in 20 minutes, so you have to wear the right protection for those activities.
“When I go skiing, always make sure you've got the zinc oxide paste on your nose. When I go surfing, always make sure you have the long-sleeved surf shirt, because really you can't apply that much sunscreen over and over again to your body.”
Choosing Your Sunscreen
Many people commit to using sunscreen every day, but it's important to note that choosing the right product can be just as important as consistency.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours. Your sunscreen should also be broad spectrum, says Dr. Larocca, meaning it covers both UVB and UVA rays.
Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use It Often
Dr. Snehal Amin tells SurvivorNet that while brand name is not very important, paying attention to the ingredients and feel of the sunscreen can make a difference.
"My recommendation is really focus on the ingredients rather than the brands," Dr. Amin says. "If you like the way the brand feels on your skin, if you like the purpose of the brand for instance, sport versus daily use or daytime use versus a short burst of activity use I think those are more important factors than actual brands."
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