Getting a sun-kissed tan might look great, but it ultimately causes damage that can lead to skin cancer. The most common cancer type, doctors agree sun exposure is the main reason for this.
Dr. Vivian Wu, a cancer surgeon at Henry Ford Health, says it’s important to be proactive and protect yourself from the sun.
“Don’t ignore changes in the skin on your face, scalp, ears and neck,” she said. “The sooner skin cancer is detected, the greater the chance for successful treatment.”
Identifying skin cancer
Wu said though skin cancers can occur anywhere on the body, one-third develop on the head and neck.
“Each time you go outside, your head and neck are exposed to the sun,” she said. “If you spend a lot of time in the sun or live in a warm climate, your exposure is even greater.”
While anyone can get skin cancer, those who have a family history of it, have had sunburns in the past or have light skin are at higher risk.
Types of cancer that can appear on the head and neck
There are four types of skin cancer that can appear on the head and neck:
1. Basal cell carcinoma: The most common form of cancer in the U.S., this usually appears on the face, ears and neck. Signs include:
- A flat area with scaly appearance.
- Raised areas that have a white or pink pearl color and crater in the middle.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma: The second most common, this forms on sun-exposed skin but can appear and spread to other areas. Signs include:
- Bumps with crusty, red or scaly patches.
- Moles, warts or other lesions that change in size or color.
- Scabs that won’t heal.
3. Melanoma: While this is not as common, it is the most dangerous because it can spread to the lymph nodes that are part of the immune system. Wu said to spot early signs of melanoma, use the ABCDE guidelines:
- Asymmetrical in shape.
- Borders that look irregular.
- Color differences in lesions.
- Diameter changes that are larger than a pea.
- Evolving changes that appear over time.
4. Merkel cell carcinoma: Caused by a viral infection, this is the rarest yet fastest-growing skin cancer, with people 70 and older at an increased risk. It first looks like painless red or purple bumps on the skin but grows quickly to look like a pimple or larger lesion.
Treatment for skin cancer
Wu said when skin cancer is detected early, removing it can mean curing it.
“Left untreated, some skin cancers can spread to other areas of the body, requiring more complex care,” she said.
Mohs surgery, a precise technique that removes the skin in thin layers, allows doctors to analyze the skin along the process. When no cancer cells remain, the procedure is done. It allows for the removal of just the cancer and leaves the healthy tissue.
Small skin cancers on the head and neck can typically be removed in office.
Patients with larger skin cancers might be referred to a head and neck oncologist for a biopsy, where the doctor will remove a small sample of the tissue from targeted lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread.
“If skin cancer has spread to other areas of your body, your doctor may recommend a combination of therapies, such as additional surgery and radiation,” Wu said.
Prevention for skin cancer
Doctors agree the best way to prevent skin cancer is to be safe in the sun. They suggest wearing a wide-brimmed hat with sunglasses, sunscreen and UV protective clothing, limiting exposure to sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and knowing what products or medications could increase your sensitivity.
You should also have regular skin checks.
“Pay attention to any skin changes on your head and neck,” Wu said. “Ask your partner, hairdresser or barber to check your scalp for changes you can’t see.”
To learn more about skin cancer care at Henry Ford Health, click or tap here.