Here at Smart Skin Dermatology, we see amazing patients of all ages walk through our doors. While we may have a younger demographic due to our vibrant, growing location, May is a special month that reminds us of the importance of skin health for everyone, especially our loved ones.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, we want to encourage you to show Mom just how much you care by reminding her to prioritize her skin health. As we age, our skin changes, and the risk of developing skin cancer increases.

Did you know?

A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that older adults aren’t visiting their dermatologist.

• ages 18-34 were the most likely age group to visit a dermatologist 
• Adults over 65 had the lowest visit rates.

1. The link between age and skin cancer:

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. 
• over half of all melanomas are diagnosed in people over the age of 65.
• Basal cell carcinomas average age of diagnosis is 67  .
• Basal cell carcinomas is more than 100 times more likely in persons aged 55-70 years than in those aged 20 years and younger. 
• Squamous cell carcinomas average age of diagnosis is 60. Studies show a sharp increase in SCC incidence after the age of 60, with rates continuing to rise with each decade of life.
• 40-80% of people over the age of 80 will have at least one active skin precancer. 

2. Why you don’t want to wait:

• The American Cancer Society reports a five-year survival rate of nearly 99% for localized melanoma. This means that 99% of people diagnosed with melanoma at this early stage will still be alive five years after diagnosis.
• As melanoma progresses, the survival rate drops dramatically. For example, the five-year survival rate for stage IV melanoma (the most advanced stage) is only around 23%. This highlights the importance of early detection to significantly improve the chances of survival.
• While basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas won’t likely be lethal, early detection can make treatment much simpler, downtime shorter, and scars much less likely.

3. What can you do to help Mom (and yourself!) this May?

Early detection is key! A routine skin cancer screening by a board-certified dermatologist is the best way to identify any suspicious changes early on, when treatment is most effective.

• Schedule a Skin Cancer Screening: Call our office today to schedule a comprehensive skin exam for Mom. We offer convenient appointments to fit your busy schedules.
• Talk Sun Safety: Remind Mom about the importance of sun protection. Encourage her to wear sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, and to seek shade during peak sun hours.
• Perform Self-Exams: Encourage Mom to become familiar with her own skin. Recommend she do regular self-exams, looking for any new or changing moles or spots.

This May, let’s celebrate the moms in our lives by giving them the gift of good health!  Schedule a skin cancer screening for Mom (and yourself!) and show her you care about her well-being.  After all, healthy skin is beautiful skin at every age.

4. Want to learn more? Skin cancer resources & statistics

• https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/276624-overview
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952217/
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/treating/squamousl-cell-carcinoma.html
• https://www.cancer.gov/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26833519/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709783/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557401/