12 Skin Cancer Myths Debunked

It seems natural to assume that skin cancer is a disease that strikes older people. But that assumption is changing. “The incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, increased eightfold from 1970 to 2009 in young women and fourfold in young men,” says Dr. Alicia Zalka, citing information from the American Cancer Society. Dr. Zalka is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Surface Deep, an online resource for skin care solutions and information. “Melanoma is the number one most diagnosed cancer among 25- to 29-year-olds in the United States.” As we head back into our summer routines, it's a good time for people of all color variations and skin types to get their skin checked, no matter what age, Dr. Zalka advises.

It’s a false assumption that just because you tan easily, you don’t risk harming your skin. “Those who tan easily and never burn are at lower risk, but they’re not ‘no risk’ for skin cancer,” Dr. Zalka says.

“People of color feel like they don’t have to do anything because the melanin in our skin takes care of that naturally,” says Stacy Haynes, M.D., a dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. That’s true to some extent, but that natural protection only goes so far. “Twenty years ago, it would be rare to see people of color getting skin cancers. Now it’s much more often,” she says. “One problem is that the ozone layer” – the layer of Earth’s atmosphere that protects the planet from ultraviolet rays – “is thinning out, so the sun’s damaging rays can get to all skin types, no matter what protection you may have.” In addition, Haynes says, she sees younger clients — even those with darker skin — who have started sunbathing: “They want to see those tan lines,” she says. “I always tell my patients, ‘We need sunscreen twice a day.'”

“There is a big misconception that by not intentionally lying in the sun on the beach or by the pool, you are not ‘in the sun,’” Dr. Zalka says. But think of all those other ways you’re taking in those rays: walking the dog, playing an outdoor sport or watching the kids play, gardening, boating, fishing. These sneaky rays add up, and can cause sunburns and premature aging, she says. “If you’re doing these things outdoors for more than 15 minutes, be sure to protect your skin.”

Too much sun, and even the occasional burn, may not be an immediate problem for kids, but parents should be concerned about too much sun exposure now, which can contribute to problems as the child grows into an adult. “In younger children, it’s moms and dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents who can send the message to young ones about skin cancer prevention,” Dr. Zalka says. “You limit their sun time like you limit their screen time. The message is about moderation, and kids are adaptable.” It may be a bit trickier with teens when they start to flex their independence muscles, Dr. Zalka says. “They often don’t want to listen to parents.” Still, you want to get the message across: “You don’t see the damage when you’re doing it. With sun damage, the problems take place later in life. The message is protecting yourself, limiting time in the sun.”

Maybe an application of sunscreen is part of your morning routine, but if you think one-and-done is the way to go, you may want to reconsider. A sunscreen’s SPF number – sun protection factor – is a relative measure of the amount of protection provided, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which regulates sunscreens made in the U.S. Depending on your exposure and activities, it wears or washes off during the day. “An important thing to remember is that sunscreen is never waterproof. It can be water resistant, but if you sweat or get wet, you have to reapply,” Dr. Zalka says. To achieve maximum protection, the recommendation is to apply sunscreen every two hours to skin that is exposed to ultraviolet rays. If you wear makeup, apply sunscreen first, Dr. Haynes suggests. “The key is, don’t forget to put it back on," she says.

Sunscreen with SPF is our go-to product to avoid damage, but it’s only part of a bigger skin-protection picture, dermatologists say. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, seek out the shade, wear protective clothing designed to keep out UV rays (not that favorite white T-shirt, Dr. Zalka cautions: “A typical thin white T-shirt gives only about a 2-3 SPF, and less than that when it’s wet”). And don’t be fooled by a cloudy day, Dr. Haynes adds: “Cloudy, raining — if it’s still daylight, you’re getting sun exposure,” she says.

It’s a common misconception that skin cancers always show up as a raised area on the skin. But some types of the deadliest forms of skin cancer — melanomas — may not be, Dr. Zalka says. “While many skin cancers are bumps or lumps, some can be flat. Melanoma, for example, may appear as a discolored flat spot or patch. Darker-skin people should note any suspicious moles on the bottom of the feet or toes, or on the palms of the hands and fingers, which are generally lighter and where abnormal spots are easier to detect and treat before they become more serious. Don’t wait for a new or changing spot anywhere on the body to be raised before having it checked out, she advises.

Yes, your body makes vitamin D when bare skin is exposed to the sun, though it’s difficult to determine exactly how much exposure you need to get a sufficient amount. And yes, there are definitely health benefits to vitamin D: it helps your body maintain strong bones, muscles and a healthy immune system, among various other functions, according to the National Institutes of Health. Fortunately, this essential vitamin is available from many other sources, primarily in fortified foods, multivitamins and supplements. Natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fish (trout, salmon, tuna and mackerel), and small amounts can be found in beef liver, cheese and egg yolks. If you’re counting on the sun to get enough Vitamin D, the season, time of day, cloud cover, smog and the amount of melanin in your skin are all factors in determining how much exposure is enough. In general, researchers suggest that approximately 5–30 minutes in the sun with bare face, arms, hands and legs, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at least twice a week, is usually sufficient, the NIH advises. But UV rays cause skin cancer, and it’s best to limit sun exposure. “People use this excuse as a crutch, making yourself feel better about getting too much sun,” Dr. Zalka says “There is a limit to how much vitamin D you can make or store. It’s not a valid argument.”

Many people may assume that skin cancer that leads to death is rare. “It’s true that the vast majority of skin cancer is treatable and even curable,” Dr. Zalka says. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. It is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not caught and treated early. Why take a chance? "If it has been more than a year since you paid attention to your skin, be sure to do a self-skin exam," Dr. Zalka advises. "If you see a new, changing or non-healing spot or mole, get it checked out."

The left side of the face can be more at risk for precancerous spots and early aging, Dr. Zalka says, and that’s because, here in the U.S., the driver’s side of a vehicle is on the left. Truck drivers, delivery drivers — anyone who spends a lot of time in a vehicle should take note. “The window on the driver’s side of the car means that more ultraviolet rays impact the skin on the left side of the face than the right. All the years spent behind the wheel mean sun exposure to the left side.” Car windows are designed to block out UVB rays, but even with the window closed, UVA rays still penetrate the glass -- just as they do through your windows at home -- doing every bit as much damage, she says. “You may not sunburn through this glass, but enough damaging rays can have a cumulative damaging effect on your skin.”