Senior Skin & Sun: Reducing Risks of Melanoma
Sunscreen, regular checkups and early detection play a key role.
Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick
Two of the best things about the South Bay are its beaches and its temperate weather. Year-round sunshine draws residents outdoors for sports, relaxation, shopping and dining. Just about any day is the perfect day for tennis, a walk on the beach or a trip to the park.
Don’t miss out on the beautiful weather, but do take steps to protect yourself from UV light exposure and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
Even though melanoma is considered highly curable if it is caught and treated early, prevention is still the best approach. Use a sunblock with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 but preferably 50, with protection for both UVA and UVB. Cover up with hats and clothing, and reapply sunblock after swimming or sweating.
Hugo Hool, MD, a board-certified oncologist and hematologist and director of the Hunt Cancer Institute at Torrance Memorial, says sun protection is especially important for seniors. “Older adults have a more extensive history of sun damage to their skin. This is from their many years of sun exposure. In addition, older adults did not routinely use sunscreens or sunblock when they were young, which led to more skin damage from the UV radiation than today’s younger population.”
The major cause of melanoma is UV light exposure. People with lighter skin, lighter hair color and light-colored eyes have a higher risk for melanoma and other sun-related skin cancers.
The best way to detect melanoma early is to be vigilant. Individuals should watch for any growing dark skin spot or area that changes in color, bleeds or becomes irregular in shape. Moles greater than 6 millimeters—about the size of a pencil eraser—should be checked by a doctor. Itching, pain or bleeding from the skin, with or without a visible lesion, is a concern.
“Early detection improves outcomes for individuals with melanoma by finding the melanoma when it’s small, not deep, not ulcerated or bleeding, and without spread to lymph nodes. These early-stage melanomas have an excellent outcome since they can be completely removed by surgery,” Dr. Hool says.
Any growth on the skin should be evaluated by a medical professional. Annual visits to a primary care physician or dermatologist can help individuals keep track of moles and freckles. Ask your doctor to check any spots on the skin that have changed or are changing over time.
Treatment for melanoma is usually surgical, but in more serious cases immunotherapy and molecular-based treatment have dramatically altered outcomes for patients.
“The landscape has drastically changed over the last few decades. Now we give outpatient infusions of small molecules that stimulate our own immune system to help fight melanoma. We are excited about the future of oncology because of these breakthroughs,” Dr. Hool says.
Torrance Memorial Physician Network oncologist Hugo Hool, MD, practices at the Hunt Cancer Center at 3285 Skypark Drive, Torrance. He can be reached at 310-750-3300.
