The dangers of skin cancer

When Anna Marie Dupont noticed a small growth on her left calf, she didn’t give it much thought. The growth first appeared 16 years ago and wasn’t troublesome. When it started to bleed, she showed it to her family doctor, who referred her to a dermatologist. Her dermatologist removed a portion of the growth and sent the sample for pathological examination. Anna Marie was shocked to learn that she had skin cancer.

Anna Marie is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed 80-year-old. In her youth in Denmark, she was an avid outdoors person who enjoyed hiking and outdoor sports. She, like her peers, considered sun exposure to be part of a healthy lifestyle. Today studies have shown that fair-skinned people with blonde or red hair and skin that usually burns are most at risk for developing basal cell carcinoma. This was true in Anna Marie’s case. She was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer in Canada.

Since 2020 a disturbing new trend is emerging that is extremely concerning to dermatologists around the world. Internet and Social Media ‘influencers’ are touting a new theory that sunscreen contains numerous toxins and is detrimental to a person’s health and actually causes cancer. While Social Media has a reputation for spreading misinformation, especially around health, on ticktock and X (formerly known as Twitter) the theory is gaining traction among health-conscious individuals intent on getting a great tan while avoiding skin cancer. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association’s website nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the Canadian Dermatology Association supports the use of sunscreen as an effective and safe means to provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Their findings are backed up by the American Dermatology Association as well. Dr. Gary Goldenberg is a dermatologist practicing in New York City. He said, “Claims that sunscreen causes cancer are absolutely not true.” These social media claims are completely false and aren’t based on any scientific data,” he says. “Data clearly show that UV [rays] cause skin cells to mutate and produce cancerous cells,” he explained. Dr. Kevin Peter a prominent dermatologist, now retired, agrees. Dr. Peter advises that broad spectrum sunscreens with a minimum SPF 30 should be applied liberally and worn daily, even in winter.   

There are many types of skin cancer – the three most common types being basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. A pre-cancerous condition known as actinic keratosis also requires treatment. It appears on sun-exposed areas of the body (such as face, ear, balding scalp, back of hand, forearm and leg) as red, rough scaling spots. If left untreated, it may develop into cancer.

To treat Anna Marie’s cancer, her dermatologist discussed the size and location of her tumor, her health status, and treatment options with her. Together, they decided to remove the tumour surgically. He advised Anna Marie that, because she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, she was now at increased risk of developing further skin cancers. Her dermatologist advised her to perform a full body self-examination quarterly and to advise her family doctor if she noticed any changes.  

Shortly after the removal of her basal cell carcinoma, Anna Marie noticed a red, rough scaly spot on the back of her hand. This time the diagnosis was actinic keratosis. Fair-skinned people who freckle and burn easily are at the greatest risk for developing actinic keratoses. People over 40 who have had considerable sun exposure and outdoor workers face greater risk because of their extensive sun exposure.

“Actinic keratosis must be treated as it can transform into basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma,” said Dr. Peter. 

Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer in Canada, appears as thickened, red, scaly bumps, wart-like growths or open or crusted skin. It grows quickly and appears on chronically sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck, arm. Frequent sun exposure is the leading cause of squamous cell carcinoma. “Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma has the potential to metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body so it’s important to seek medical advice,” he said.

When people hear they have skin cancer, fear is often a first reaction because malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer comes to mind. However, when discovered at an early stage, melanoma has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers but if left untreated, it will invade the skin. When it reaches the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, it can spread to other parts of the body and may cause death.

Anna Marie is among thousands of Canadians who have been successfully treated for skin cancer every year. She is now sun-aware and knows the importance of being sun-protected so she never leaves home without a healthy coating of SPF 50.

Much of the information in this article was taken from the Canadian Dermatology Association website (https://dermatology.ca). Thanks to Dr. Kevin Peter, MD, FRCPC, DABD, FAAD, a retired dermatologist in Surrey, BC with 40 years of experience, for providing information for this article.