One of the Sunshine State’s biggest draws also poses its biggest danger.
One in 10 Floridians has already been diagnosed with skin cancer, and about 8,000 new cases will be discovered here this year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Experts say seniors in particular need to take prevention seriously this summer since most skin cancers are diagnosed in people over 65.
“The environment is changing, and it’s not the same sun,” said Kari Walker, a population health specialist with The Villages Health who lead an educational seminar last week. “The number of ‘super hot days’ is increasing. You need to change your habits to protect yourself.”
Students in her recent class learned about the three types of skin cancer, their causes and how to detect them in at-home skin cancer self-examinations.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is the most common form of skin cancer. It often appears on the head, neck and other sun-damaged body parts as a quick change in the skin that won’t heal. It can appear as a skin-colored shiny bump, a black or blue lesion, a flat scaly patch or a scar-like lesion.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is the second most common type of skin cancer, which forms in the outer layer of skin. It’s commonly seen on the scalp, back of the hands, the ears and the lips — though it can occur anywhere on the body. Symptoms may include a firm bump, a flat sore with a scaly crust, a new forming sore on the lip or the inside of the mouth.
Melanoma Cancer
This is the deadliest type of skin cancer and starts in the cells that produce melanin, or the skin color pigment. Just being sunburned five times can cause melanoma. It’s commonly seen on the arms, back, face and legs as a new or changing mole. Symptoms may include an uneven shape or edges, a mix of two or more colors and is painful or itchy.
What to Know
Walker and other experts urge residents to avoid sun rays when they are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. A good rule is to seek shade whenever your shadow is shorter than you.
If the sun can’t be avoided, sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 should be applied in multiple coats, she said.
Diet also plays a role, Walker added. Foods rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamins A, C, and E, along with minerals like selenium and zinc, can help protect against skin damage caused by UV radiation and may reduce the risk of skin cancer.
“Everything your body does is a chemical reaction,” she said.
Seniors should have a full-body skin check at least annually, and Walker recommends at-home skin cancer exams every month or via telehealth.
“Skin cancer is visible and largely preventable,” she said. “You are looking for anything that is new or changing on your skin.”
Look for any spots that have an uneven shape, irregular or poorly defined borders, are a different color from other areas of your body or have been changing in size or color. Most diagnosed cancers are the size of a pencil eraser or smaller.
Dr. Raymond Ramirez, dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, said self examinations are a great way for patients to help their doctors get an head-start on treatment.
“Perhaps you’ve seen something that you can point out to us before we even can,” he said. “Spot the spot early while you can.”
To learn more about staying safe in the summer heat, visit thevillageshealth.com to sign up for the “Stay Healthy During Florida Summer” from 9-10 a.m. on Monday at the Pinellas Care Center, 2485 Pinellas Place in The Villages.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevil
lagesmedia.com.
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