Men and Skin Cancer: Why That Spot Your Wife Is Nagging About Could Save Your Life

Michael’s Story: How His Wife’s Nagging Saved His Life

Most men hate going to the doctor (I include myself in this group as a physician). We often ignore small problems until they become much worse. It’s no wonder that women generally have longer life expectancies than men.

This reminds me of a patient named Michael. After his wife’s incessant nagging and urging, he came to see me about five years ago to evaluate a new spot on his right ear. The spot turned out to be a precancerous lesion called Actinic Keratosis, which we were able to treat in just a few seconds by freezing it with liquid nitrogen.

Michael, fair-skinned with blue eyes, was an avid tennis player and had several sunburns in his past. At the time of his visit, I convinced him to allow me to perform a full body skin check. There was nothing concerning on his front, but when he rolled over, I noticed an irregularly pigmented spot on the back of his right thigh. My suspicion that this could be a malignant melanoma was confirmed by a small biopsy. Fortunately, Michael’s melanoma was diagnosed as “in-situ,” the earliest stage at which melanoma can be diagnosed, and it was successfully treated with minor in-office surgery.

Skin Cancer Awareness: Why Early Detection is Crucial

May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Around 3.5 million skin cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. In 2018, it was estimated that about 132,000 cases of melanoma would be diagnosed. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to complete cures. Surprisingly, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults aged 25-29. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.

The Most Common Skin Cancers and Their Warning Signs

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer. These can appear as non-healing sores, crusted bumps, or even as a red patch that can be mistaken for dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these cancers are much less likely to spread if caught early.

Melanoma: The Most Dangerous Skin Cancer

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It may develop from an existing mole or as a new spot. Regular skin checks and self-examinations can help detect it early and improve the chances of successful treatment.

Prevention: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Most skin cancers have a genetic component, but the other key factor is sun exposure—especially from tanning beds. To prevent skin cancer, I recommend an ounce of prevention:

• Avoid the peak sun hours (10 AM to 2 PM).
• Apply and reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen.
• Skip tanning beds (spray tans are fine).
• See a board-certified dermatologist once a year for a full-body skin check.
• Perform monthly self-checks to monitor changes in moles or spots.

Why Men Need to Listen to Their Wives and Get Checked

It’s not easy for men to admit the importance of regular health checks, but skin cancer is preventable with early detection. Don't wait for a spot to become a bigger problem—get checked by a board-certified dermatologist regularly.

Luckily for Michael, his story had a happy ending. If you have any spots you’re concerned about, or if you can't remember the last time you had a full-body skin check, please call my office now at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment.

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