Put on sunscreen. Wear a hat. Stand in the shade.

These are probably a few things you’ve heard once, or a thousand times, over the years by a parent, teacher or coach.

However, roughly 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year, affecting more than three million people (some individuals have more than one skin cancer). Skin cancers are by far the most common type of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society says this is probably due to better skin cancer detection, people getting more exposure to the sun, and people living longer.

But what are we forgetting? Tim Smile, MD, is a radiation oncologist with OSF HealthCare. He breaks down key tips for people to remember before heading outside.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen

"When you're choosing a sunscreen, it's important to pick one that has good UV-A and UV-B protection, so a broad-spectrum one,” Dr. Smile says. “If you have any questions about that, talk to your primary doctor or a dermatologist."

Don’t forget the tops of your ears, the back of your neck or between the top of your chest and neck

"A lot of people wear a nice baseball hat that covers their faces really well, but the tops of your ears, neck, and even the front of the top of your sternum area can get exposure to the sun without you realizing it,” Dr. Smile says. “Keep an eye on those areas and make sure you're applying sunscreen there." 

A cloudy sky doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t there

"If it's overcast, you can still get UV exposure on your skin. So, that's something to keep in mind,” he adds.

Dr. Smile says the sun is the strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and recommends using the shade, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and applying sunscreen as good first steps. But don’t forget to reapply, as sunscreen doesn’t last all day. The general recommendation is to reapply every two hours during the day.

Head and neck are high-risk areas

"In my practice in radiation oncology, we deal with high-risk skin cancers. The vast majority of skin cancers are treated with topical treatments or minimally invasive surgeries,” Dr. Smile says. “Rarely, skin cancers can present with locally advanced tumors requiring radiation therapy. My practice consists mostly of patients with locally advanced head and neck skin cancers because it’s an area that is not usually covered from sun exposure by your clothing.”

"A lot of times, skin cancers that happen in the head and neck are not only cosmetically challenging to deal with surgically but have a higher risk of deep invasion, spreading along nerves, or spreading to lymph nodes. A lot of challenging cancers can present in the head and neck area, which is why it's so important to minimize your sun exposure."

Don’t forget your lips!

"A lot of people don't apply sunscreen to their lips, the lips can get sunburnt and can get skin cancers due to UV exposure there,” Dr. Smile adds. “You can find lip balms that have SPF in them."

Dr. Smile says you should speak with your primary care provider and/or dermatologist once a year to keep things in check.

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These are probably a few things you’ve heard once, or a thousand times, over the years by a parent, teacher or coach.

However, roughly 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year, affecting more than three million people (some individuals have more than one skin cancer). Skin cancers are by far the most common type of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society says this is probably due to better skin cancer detection, people getting more exposure to the sun, and people living longer.

But what are we forgetting? Tim Smile, MD, is a radiation oncologist with OSF HealthCare. He breaks down key tips for people to remember before heading outside.

"A lot of people wear a nice baseball hat that covers their faces really well, but the tops of your ears, neck, and even the front of the top of your sternum area can get exposure to the sun without you realizing it,” Dr. Smile says. “Keep an eye on those areas and make sure you're applying sunscreen there." 

Just because it's overcast, doesn't mean the UV rays aren't there.  Dr. Smile says you can still get burnt.

And, don't forget your lips! Use lip balms with SPF protection.  Dr. Smile adds your lips can get sunburned and lead to skin cancers due to UV exposure.

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El mes de septiembre comenzó con una noticia triste: el fallecimiento de Jimmy Buffett, superestrella de la música country. El creador de Margaritaville murió de una forma agresiva de cáncer de piel llamada carcinoma de células de Merkel (CCM), una enfermedad con la que luchó los últimos cuatro años.

Según la Skin Cancer Foundation, el carcinoma de células de Merkel es una forma mucho menos frecuente de cáncer de piel, y se da un caso por cada 130,000 personas en los Estados Unidos. Se diagnostican unos 3,000 casos nuevos al año y, según la fundación, se espera que esta cifra aumente a 3,250 casos anuales en 2025.

Banesa Chavez, enfermera registrada de práctica avanzada de OSF HealthCare, advierte a las personas que no subestimen las señales del cáncer de piel.

"Las personas piensan 'Ah, esta lesión no es nada', pero no saben lo que hay debajo de esa lesión que ven", dice Chavez. "Pueden tenerla ahí durante años y podría haberse propagado ya a otras partes".

Chavez afirma que la agresividad del CCM de Buffett debió ser motivo de preocupación para las personas, y un recordatorio para cuidar bien la piel.

"Lo detectaron (el cáncer) hace un par de años, por lo que avanzó rápidamente. O ya había hecho metástasis cuando lo encontraron".

Chavez asegura que el cáncer de piel no discrimina por edad o estado de salud general. Sin embargo, señala que es más difícil luchar contra el cáncer de piel a una edad avanzada.

"Todo el mundo está más sano cuando es más joven. Cuando envejecemos, los órganos no funcionan como lo harían en una persona de 20 o 30 años", dice Chavez. "Así que sus opciones de tratamiento pueden variar en función de su salud".

Consejos para proteger la piel:

"Si nota algún cambio en la piel (una lesión que crece o algo nuevo), asegúrese de tratarlo. No lo ignore. Además, aplíquese protector solar. Cuando se aplique protector solar, fíjese en las recomendaciones sobre la frecuencia con la que debe aplicárselo porque desaparece".

Chavez añade que hay que usar sombrero cuando se esté al aire libre para evitar también los daños causados por el sol. Además, si observa algún cambio en la piel, acuda al médico lo antes posible para que lo derive a un dermatólogo.

El cáncer de piel es, hasta ahora, el más frecuente. Alrededor de uno de cada cinco estadounidenses será diagnosticado de cáncer de piel a lo largo de su vida. Cuando se diagnostica a tiempo, la tasa de supervivencia de cinco años para las personas con cáncer de piel es del 99%.

Para evaluar la salud de su piel, puede someterse a un examen básico con un dermatólogo.

Puede visitar el sitio web de OSF HealthCare aquí para encontrar un lugar cerca de usted donde reciba atención.

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The month of September started on a somber note when country music superstar Jimmy Buffett passed away. The Margaritaville creator died from an aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a disease he battled the past four years.

MCC is a much rarer form of skin cancer, the Skin Cancer Foundation says, with one case per 130,000 people in the United States. Roughly 3,000 new cases are diagnosed a year, and the foundation says this is expected to increase to 3,250 cases a year by 2025.

OSF HealthCare advanced practice registered nurse Banesa Chavez warns people not to underestimate the signs of skin cancer.

“People think ‘oh this lesion is nothing,’ but you don’t know what’s underneath that lesion you see,” Chavez says. “You can have it there for years and it could have already spread elsewhere.”

Chavez says the aggressiveness of Buffett’s MCC should be cause for concern for people, and a reminder to take good care of your skin.

“They found it (the cancer) in the last couple of years, so it progressed quickly. Or it was already metastasized by the time they found it.”

Chavez says skin cancer doesn’t discriminate based off age or overall health. But she notes it is harder to battle skin cancer at an older age.

“You’re healthier when you’re younger. When you’re older, your organs aren’t functioning as they would for a 20 or 30-year-old person,” Chavez says. “So your treatment options may vary based on your health.”

Tips to protect skin:

“If you notice any changes to your skin -- a lesion that’s growing, or something that’s new -- make sure you address it. Don’t ignore it. Also, apply sun block. When you apply sun block, look at the recommendations for how often you’re supposed to apply it. Because it does wear off.”

Chavez adds to wear a hat when you’re outside to avoid sun damage as well. She says if you do notice any changes in your skin, see your doctor as soon as possible so they can refer you to a dermatologist.

Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer. About one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. When diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for people with skin cancer is 99%.

To check on your skin’s health, you can get a baseline exam with a dermatologist. You can visit the OSF HealthCare website here to find a location near you to get seen.

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