Sun is a major cause of skin cancer

When Dr. David Villarreal was growing up near the beaches of Corpus Christi, Texas, he and his family never thought to use sunscreen to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

People didn’t know then what they do now about the sun being a major cause of skin cancer, said Dr. Villarreal, a surgeon with Jackson Surgical Associates.

Today, he’s an advocate of protecting one’s skin from too much sun exposure. Skin cancer, he says, is epidemic. “Skin cancers, including melanomas, have greatly increased in the last years. People need to be conscious of the sun’s effects and protect themselves more.”

Melanoma usually comes from a mole that has changed shape, size or color, he says. A brown mole may be turning black, or a perfectly round mole may be looking uneven at the edges.

Unchecked, melanoma can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, which is what makes it a lethal cancer.

“That’s why it’s very important to keep an eye on any mole you may have and alert your doctor about any changes,” he says.

Early detection is the key to curing skin cancer, Dr. Villarreal said. People shouldn’t feel awkward about telling their doctor that a mole they’ve had for a while seems to be changing or looking a little funny. It’s not common for children to have skin cancer, he said, but they often have moles so parents should keep a watch out for any changes.

Besides melanoma, there are two other types of skin cancer. One will resemble an ulcer that’s not healing; the second will look like a bug bite with the ends rolled up, Dr. Villarreal said.

Any suspicious mole or non-healing skin lesion or sore should be biopsied to determine if it is cancer, he said. It usually takes two to three days to get the report back.

If it is cancer, the surgeon will remove the cancer and all of the skin and tissue around it. With the overwhelming majority of skin cancers, the procedure can be done in the clinic with a topical anesthesia, Dr. Villarreal said. If the cancer has spread, he refers the patient on to an oncologist, who specializes in the treatment of cancer.

Patients who have had melanoma usually are followed closely by their physician for the rest of their lives because the cancer often returns, said Dr. Villarreal.

That’s just another reason why physicians like Dr. Villarreal advise people to watch out for signs of skin cancer. Whenever, sunny weather beckons you outdoors, be sure to wear that sunscreen!