Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma, causes most skin cancer deaths.
It is important to know how to protect yourself from skin cancer. Prevention and early detection are the best ways to keep skin cancer from harming you.
Risk Factors
The top risk factor for most types of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure. Sources of UV rays include sunlight and indoor tanning. UV rays can cause abnormal skin cell growth, which leads to skin cancer. People who get a lot of UV exposure have a greater risk of skin cancer.
You also may be more at risk for skin cancer if you have:
- A family or personal history of skin cancer
- Skin that is light in color
- Blue or green eyes
- Blond or red hair
- Skin that tends to burn or freckle easily
- A history of sunburns
- Extended exposure to the sun over a long period of time
- Used indoor tanning
- Certain types of moles, or a large number of them
People with risk factors do not always get skin cancer, and people without risk factors can still get it. We do not always know why some people get skin cancer and some people do not.
Talk to your health care provider about your risks. Be sure to tell them if you have a family history of skin cancer.
Reducing Your Risk
Here are some tips to lower your risk of skin cancer by avoiding harmful UV rays:
- Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim; it should cover your head and shade your face, ears, and neck.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection, as well as a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- Do not use indoor tanning.
Screening
A skin cancer screening is a simple visual check that can be done by your health care provider. Talk to your provider about your risk for skin cancer and what they recommend for you.
A new or changing mole can be a warning sign of melanoma, an especially dangerous type of skin cancer. The following ABCDE rule can help you know more about the warning signs of melanoma:
- A = Asymmetry. Does one half of the mole look different than the other half?
- B = Borders. Are the mole's edges ragged or not clearly defined?
- C = Color. Is the mole multicolored?
- D = Diameter. From edge to edge, is the mole larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser)?
- E = Evolving. Has the mole’s size, shape or color changed?
Not all melanomas will have all of these characteristics. In general, if you notice any changes in your skin, discuss them with your health care provider.
Payment
If you are concerned about a change in your skin, insurance will typically cover having it checked out. Insurance may or may not cover skin cancer screening; check with your insurer to find out.
If you do not have insurance, you may be eligible to sign up for low- or no-cost coverage. You can also get free in-person assistance signing up for a plan.
If you do not have a health care provider, you can call 311 to find a New York City Health + Hospitals clinic near you.
If you cannot get insurance, or if your insurance does not cover screening, you can call 311 to be connected to a New York City Health + Hospitals location and find out if you qualify for low- or no-cost care.