Past sun damage doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get skin cancer, but it should make you be more proactive about keeping your skin protected and healthy in the future.
Credit: Getty / wilpunt
The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. The five-year survival rate is about 99 percent when caught early, but once it spreads, that number drops significantly. That’s why prevention and early detection are so important. Protecting your skin from the sun can reduce the risk of developing many skin cancers, including basal and squamous cell cancers and some melanomas, and getting regular screenings can help detect skin cancer early, when it is most treatable.
It’s a lesson Witney Carson, a choreographer and professional dancer on the TV show Dancing with the Stars, learned when she was just 19. Her mother, a skin cancer survivor herself, noticed a small, strawberry-colored mole on the top of Carson’s foot—and urged her to get it checked. It turned out to be melanoma.
“I remember sitting in the doctor’s office, and he said, ‘If you don't go through surgery, you’re going to have to go through chemotherapy,’” Carson recalls. “I had just been promoted as a professional on Dancing with the Stars. My dream was happening—and suddenly, this.”
Today, Carson is cancer-free, and she’s using her platform to spread the word about skin cancer prevention.
Factors That Raise Melanoma Risk
Looking back, Carson can see the warning signs she missed. “I was going to tanning beds, not protecting my skin, getting sunburned, not wearing sunscreen, and both my parents had skin cancer,” she says. “There were several risk factors working against me.”
Watch Witney Carson, Dr. Jennifer A. Stein, Men’s Health Director Marty Munson, and Men's Health and Women's Health Editorial Director Richard Dorment discuss skin cancer prevention.
Credit: NYU Langone
Carson’s diagnosis is proof that melanoma isn’t just a condition that affects older adults. Rates of melanoma in younger people, particularly in young women, rose in recent decades—and ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is considered a significant driver.
“We think indoor tanning probably plays a role, and we know that bursts of intense sun exposure, especially early in life, contribute to risk,” says Jennifer A. Stein, MD, PhD, NYU Langone’s Stewart J. Rahr Professor of Dermatology in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology. “Around age 40 to 50, rates in men begin to climb sharply as well—so this is something everyone needs to think about.”
Certain factors raise risk significantly for anyone, including:
- a previous skin cancer diagnosis
- a family history of melanoma
- many moles, or atypical-looking moles
- a history of significant sun exposure
- medications that suppress the immune system, such as those taken after organ transplantation
One common misconception is that people with black or brown skin do not get skin cancer. “It’s much less likely in people with darker skin, but it does occur,” says Dr. Stein. “Because it’s not as common, it tends to be found later, when the cancer has progressed. So those with darker skin should be screened too.”
What Does Melanoma Look Like?
Melanoma is highly treatable when caught early, but it can go undetected for months or longer, particularly on areas of the body that aren’t regularly examined. That’s why knowing what to look for matters.
The most important signal, according to Dr. Stein, is the “ugly duckling”—a spot that simply doesn’t belong. “Look for something that’s new or changing, bleeding, or hurting,” she says. “A spot you think is a pimple, but it’s not going away—that’s when you want to get it checked.”
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, not just sun-exposed areas. The most common location in men is the back; in women, the leg. But it can also develop between the toes, on the sole of the foot, on the palm, or even under a nail. “Men, especially those who live alone, have a hard time seeing their back,” Dr. Stein notes. “If you can’t easily check an area yourself, ask someone you trust to take a look.”
How often should you check your skin? A self-exam once a month or once per season is enough. “If you check too often, you almost don’t notice change,” Dr. Stein explains. For patients who feel anxious, she sometimes photographs all their moles at the office so they can compare them over time, which can also help to reduce unnecessary biopsies.
Sun Protection: What Actually Works
When it comes to preventing skin cancer by protecting your skin from the sun, clothing is your first line of defense, and sunscreen covers the rest. “A hat with a brim and sun-protective clothing go a long way—then sunscreen covers whatever’s still exposed,” says Dr. Stein.
Sunscreen comes in two forms: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which reflect some UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb UV energy before it can damage skin cells. While chemical sunscreens tend to go on easier, FDA studies have found that some active ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream with repeated use. “That doesn’t mean they’re not safe, and wearing any type of sunscreen is far safer than not wearing it,” says Dr. Stein. “But for those who want to eliminate that potential risk, I recommend a physical sunscreen.”
Whether you choose a physical or chemical sunscreen, pay attention to SPF, or sun protection factor, which measures protection against UVB rays—the type most responsible for sunburn and skin cancer. A sunscreen with SPF 30 filters about 97 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 filters about 98 percent. Reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating. Daily use also offers a cosmetic benefit. “The sun prematurely ages your skin, brings out brown spots, and makes existing spots darker,” Dr. Stein says.
Despite the negative effects of sun exposure, Dr. Stein notes that the goal is not to avoid the sun entirely. “You don’t have to be a vampire,” she says. “Go to the beach, do outdoor sports, have a good time. But sit in the shade when you can, and make sure your skin is protected.”
The Best Time to Protect Your Skin Is Now
Past sun damage—sun-filled summers, too many burns, years of tanning beds—doesn’t necessarily lead to skin cancer, but it should encourage you to stay proactive about your skin health. “We all have things in the past that we regret,” Dr. Stein says. “You can’t go back and change the past, but what you do going forward does make a difference.”
After a significant sunburn, the most important steps are simple: start protecting your skin consistently, and get checked if you notice anything new or changing. Carson’s diagnosis changed her relationship with her own body permanently. “It showed me that I wasn’t invincible,” she says. Now she gets checked annually and keeps her own children well protected in the sun.
How often you should see a dermatologist depends on your own risk factors. Anyone with a personal or family history of melanoma, many moles, or significant sun or tanning bed exposure should have annual skin checks. If you notice something new, changing, or unusual, don’t wait for your next appointment.
At NYU Langone, dermatologists specializing in skin cancer detection can examine your skin, help you understand your risk, and set up an ongoing monitoring plan that’s right for you.
