Skin Cancer: The Winter
Sun Can be Harmful
Experts say that the sun can be just as damaging in the winter as in the summer. Doctors say that sunburns during childhood can show later up in the form of skin cancer.
Jan Taucreti had no idea she had skin cancer, basal cell, the most common form. She found out during a visit to her dematologist. Twenty-four hours later, she had surgery.
"When you catch skin cancers early, you get better results." Says Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Huerter. "They're easier to treat and you get better cosmetic results," he adds.
Jane's lucky, she only has a small scar as a reminder of her days in the sun. But skin cancer stories are not always success stories.
Doctors are seeing a jump in every type of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest of them all.
"Eighty percent of skin cancers are in the head and neck, so people are getting them on their face," says Dr. Huerter.
He adds, "What's changing is that I'm seeing younger and younger people getting skin cancer. And the younger you are, the more aggressive the skin cancer tends to be."
Who should be worried about getting skin cancer? Almost everyone. But especially fair skinned, blue or green-eyed individuals with blonde or red hair who had multiple sunburns as a child.
Dr. Huerter recommends that you get a baseline exam at 35, and earlier if you feel you need it.
Remember that skin cancer can look like a bump, a red patch, a scaly spot or a mole that's changed in shape or color.
For more information about services related to skin cancer, contact the Alegent Health Cancer Center, or call 1-800-ALEGENT (1-800-253-4368).
