Beware the hidden skin cancer that’s more common than you’d think
Experts highlight the growing concerns of this type of skin cancer as the weather warms up
Don’t forget a hat.
That’s the warning doctors want you to know before heading outside as the weather warms up this season.
Dr. Julia Carroll says that she often removes about two to three skin cancers per day from her patients’ scalps.
DON'T MISS: How to detect melanoma using the ABCDE method
“Typically, by the end of the summer, I have had about three to four people that I have had to have conversations with,” says Amanda Chapman, owner of The Onyx Salon Collective.
Those conversations can lead to a serious diagnosis.
“Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas, which are from chronic sun exposure,” said Dr. Carroll.
“But you can see melanomas on the scalp and they tend to be more advanced by the time we see them because they are not obvious to the patient.”
Sunburns on the scalp are noticeable by their redness, and often present with tenderness, pain, and flaking or scaling of the scalp a few days later.
If your scalp has damage, that often means your hair has seen a burn, too.
RELATED: Canada's dermatologist shortage may lead to undiagnosed skin cancers
Thicker and darker hair provides the scalp more protection from the sun. Light-coloured, thinning hair would be the most susceptible to a burn.
“The way people can prevent damage to the scalp and hair is always wearing a hat,” Chapman said. “As well as wearing sunscreen, mineral-based or powdered sunscreen on your scalp. Focusing on your hairline, your part line, around the ears, and the nape of the neck.”
How do you spot potentially dangerous areas? Melanoma on the scalp could be a dark, irregular spot, and the non-melanoma skin cancer can be flaky, tender to the touch, or a bump that is growing.
Creams, powders, and sprays are available for your scalp and hair to keep UV damage away this season.
Header image courtesy of Unsplash.