Summer is here and so are the high UV rays!
Summer is here and what is the first thing people want to do? Get a tan! As fun as this may sound, a tan isn’t good for your skin or your future skin health. A tan may be causing more damage than you may realize and can put you at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. As cool and trendy as a tan may be, you may want to think twice before laying out in the sun or going into tanning beds without sun protection!
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when cancer cells form within the tissues of the skin. It is the most common cancer in the United States. There are two different types: nonmelanoma, which include squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and melanoma. Melanoma represents about 1% of all skin cancers and is much less common than SCC and BCC. Melanomas grow and spreads very quickly, which can damage nearby tissues and other parts of the body, making it harder to cure, and therefore, it is the cause of over 8000 deaths in 2025. BCC and SCC are more common types of skin cancer and affect approximately 3.3 million Americans a year, affecting mostly non-Hispanic White individuals. BCC accounts for most of these cases, while SCC makes up 20% of cases.
Skin cancer risk factors
It is possible for skin cancers to occur anywhere on the body, and most are seen in areas that are exposed to the sun which include the face, hands, arms, and neck. Understanding your risk factors helps you take extra precautions to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Risk factors for SCC, BCC, and melanoma skin cancers include being exposed to natural sunlight or tanning beds over long periods of time and having a fair complexion. You may have a fair complexion that includes fair skin that freckles and burns easily or does not tan, light-colored eyes, or red or blonde hair.
Risk factors specifically for SCC and BCC include having pre-cancerous spots known as actinic keratoses, past radiation treatment, or having a weak immune system. Risk factors specifically for melanoma skin cancer include having a history of many blistering sunburns as a child or teenager, having many moles, having a family history of unusual moles, having a family or personal history of melanoma, and being Caucasian. It is important to know that extensive ultraviolet (UV) exposure during childhood and adolescence plays a large role in developing skin cancer later in life.
What does skin cancer prevention look like?
Skin cancer prevention includes avoiding risk factors and increasing skin protection that will help prevent cancer. Practicing sun safety is one of the most important ways to take part in skin cancer prevention. It is important to remember that being protected from UV rays is important all year round, not only during summer months. These UV rays are also not only present on sunny days but can also affect you on cloudy or cool days. These rays can reflect on various surfaces such as water, cement, sand, and snow. UV rays are the strongest from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. According to the UV index, if the UV index is 3 or higher, it is very important to protect your skin from too much exposure.
The CDC recommends protecting skin from UV rays by staying in the shade, wearing clothing that covers arms and legs, wearing a wide brim hat, wearing sunglasses that wrap around the face and block UV rays, and using broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Another way of practicing good sun safety is to avoid indoor tanning beds! As great as these tanning beds sound for a quick tan, they can cause serious harm to the skin. These indoor tanning beds expose users to higher levels of UV rays and over time may lead to the development of skin cancer.
Another recommendation is having yearly skin examinations by a dermatology health care provider. However, you should perform your own skin examinations regularly and identify any new or changing lesions. You can also take photos of these lesions over time to monitor any changes in asymmetry, border, color, diameter, or evolution.
ABCDE is a common tool used by dermatology providers to educate you on your at-home skin examinations. Asymmetry (A) means one half of the spot is unlike the other half. Border (B) means the spot has an irregular or poorly defined border. Color (C) means the spot varies in color from one area to another, such as tan, brown, or black. Diameter (D) means the lesion is about the size of a pencil eraser or larger (about 6 mm). Evolution (E) means the spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color. If you find a lesion that is questionable, it is important to follow up with a dermatology provider to have a detailed skin exam and biopsy, if indicated.
So, what about my tan?
It is important to realize that a suntan does not indicate good health! A tan results from the UV rays reaching the inner layer of the skin, where more melanin is produced. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its color. If you develop a burn or a tan after UV exposure, it is a sign of injury to your skin. Always remember to practice good sun safety and to take the necessary precautions for skin protection. It is important to start practicing good prevention at a young age because the more you tan and damage your skin, the higher your chances of developing skin cancer as you get older.
Article written by Meegen Cedotal, PA-Student and Dr. Tamy Webb, DHSc, MMS, PA-C at LSU Health Shreveport.
