Skin Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate: A Doctor’s Personal Perspective

I’m not a dermatologist, but as a neurosurgeon, a mom, a redhead, and someone with a family history of skin cancer, I never skip my annual skin check. Why? Because the spot you ignore could be the one that changes everything.

This is personal for me. My grandfather died from melanoma, and multiple members of my family have been treated for basal cell carcinoma. During one routine exam, my dermatologist found a precancerous spot on my eyebrow. The year before? One on my nose. Neither looked alarming nor felt painful, but both needed to go. And I’m glad they did.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and also one of the most preventable. Early detection saves lives. But you have to show up for it.

The Spot You Shouldn’t Ignore: Why Annual Skin Checks Matter

Let’s talk about melanoma. It’s the deadliest form of skin cancer and can spread fast if left untreated. The good news? Catch it early, and the 5-year survival rate is 99%.

It’s not just melanoma; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are even more common. They may not grab headlines, but they still cause serious harm. A yearly full-body skin check is your best line of defense. It’s fast, painless, and potentially life-saving.

Skin Cancer 101: Know the Types, Know the Signs

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

• Most common
  
  
• Shows up as a pearly bump, open sore, or red patch
  
  
• Usually on sun-exposed areas like the face and neck
  
  
• Grows slowly but can still cause disfigurement if ignored
  
  

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

• Second most common
  
  
• Looks like a crusty, scaly lesion or sore that doesn’t heal
  
  
• Can spread if untreated
  
  

Melanoma

• Most dangerous
  
  
• Often starts as a mole that looks different from the rest
  
  
• Know the ABCDE rule:
  
  
  • Asymmetry
    
    
  • Border irregularity
    
    
  • Color variation
    
    
  • Diameter larger than 6mm
    
    
  • Evolving over time
    
    

If you see a spot that’s new, changing, or feels off, get it checked. Don’t wait.

Myth-Busting: Yes, Darker Skin Can Get Skin Cancer Too

Fun fact: skin cancer doesn’t care what color your skin is.

There’s a dangerous myth that darker skin tones are immune to skin cancer. Not true. In fact, melanoma in people of color is often diagnosed later, and in more dangerous places like the palms, soles, or under nails.

Bob Marley died at 36 from melanoma under his toenail, initially thought to be a soccer injury. The cancer eventually spread to his brain, lungs, and liver.

Bottom line: if you have skin, you can get skin cancer. Everyone needs annual checks, no matter your shade.

Redheads, Take Skin Cancer Risks Seriously

Here’s something most people don’t realize: redheads are genetically more vulnerable to skin cancer due to a mutation in the MC1R gene.

As a redhead myself, I know I’m in a higher-risk group. Here’s what the research and my dermatologist have told me:

• Redheads are 10 to 100 times more likely to develop melanoma
  
  
• 1.5x more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma
  
  
• And over 12x more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma
  
  

I grew up with fair skin, lots of sun exposure, and plenty of blistering sunburns. Like many of us, I wasn’t great about sunscreen as a kid, and I still slip up sometimes. But I do my best now to wear SPF daily and never miss a skin check.

If you're a redhead, have fair skin, a history of sunburns, or a family history of skin cancer, your risks are higher. Take it seriously.

Prevention Is Power. Use It.

We’re all busy. But your skin is your largest organ, and it deserves your attention. Don’t wait for a mole to look “bad enough.” Just make the appointment.

Ask your PCP for a referral or go straight to a dermatologist. In the meantime, do regular self-checks (yes, even between your toes), use the ABCDE rule, and take photos to track any changes. Use sunscreen daily—and check the expiration date (I learned that the hard way on a recent beach trip. Expired sunscreen = sunburn city).

And don’t underestimate the power of protective clothing. A light-colored, long-sleeved tee can help shield your skin from UV rays at the beach, on a hike, or even just running errands outside. It’s an easy layer that can make a big difference.

The bottom line is that skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. But action, awareness, and early detection? Those are your superpowers. You’ve got one skin. Take care of it.