Warnings Against Malignant Melanoma - The Fasting Rising Cancer in Men

It is the fastest rising cancer in men, and the rate of increase in women is second only to lung cancer. And you can dramatically increase your risk by doing nothing more than walking out your front door.

The disease is malignant melanoma, the most virulent of all skin cancers, and experts say that sun exposure is the main cause.

"There is no question, if you take away sun exposure, you're going to reduce the rate of skin cancer. It is the single most powerful cause of melanoma," says Dr. Darrell Rigel, professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

An article in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) says that the rate of skin cancer has been steadily climbing during the past 70 years.

In 1930, the risk of developing invasive malignant melanoma was just one in 1,500. Today that rate is a staggering one in 68—with some 53,000 new cases and 7,000 deaths expected this year alone, the article says.

Early Diagnosis Saves Lives

The good news is that early diagnosis saves lives. That is the message Rigel and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) hope to get across on the eighth annual May 6 "Melanoma Monday"—the kickoff of a month-long, nationwide program of free skin examinations.

"Our goal is see as many people as possible, and to encourage those we don't see to check out any suspicious skin lesions, moles, markings, lumps, bumps, or anything else that looks like it might be a problem," says Rigel, who is also the past president of the AAD.

When diagnosed early, experts say even the most potentially virulent melanoma can be cured—usually by having the affected mole or lesion removed. Wait too long, however, and this can become one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers.

"It can metastasize to the brain, the pancreas, the lymph nodes, the blood, and even the heart," says Rigel. By the time a melanoma is the size of a dime, he says, it is probably on its way to other organs.

Why the Rates Are Increasing

Experts say the rays we get today are more dangerous from those of generations ago. Slow destruction of the atmospheric shield known as the ozone layer is to blame, according to researchers.

"There is no question that the depletion of the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere has increased the power of the burning rays of the sun," says Dr. Ted Daly, a Long Island dermatologist.

Studies show that since the 1970s ozone depletion—believed to be caused by pollution—has been steadily on the rise, Daly says. He adds that as ozone levels declined, we watched the rate of skin cancer skyrocket.

"The less ozone protection we have, the stronger the burning UVB [ultraviolet-B] rays of the sun are—and the greater our risk of skin cancer," says Daly.

The Importance of Sunscreen

Daly warns against counting on sunscreen as your saving grace. While it certainly can protect you, it can do the job only if you use it right.

"We sweat, we go in the water, we dry off, and the protection is gone," he says. Unless you put on sunscreen frequently—and generously —you are probably not getting all the protection you need, he says.

Steer Clear of Tanning Salons

In addition, Rigel says that many people further increase their risk by turning to tanning salons for that bronzed look all year long. While many centers claim to use only the "safe" ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays to give you that golden glow, Rigel says there is no fooling melanoma with a catchy advertising phrase.

"In natural sunlight, 90 percent of the burning rays are UVB and only about 10 percent are UVA, so yes, it is hard to get a sunburn from UVA rays if you are in natural sunlight," says Rigel. However, he says, in order to get the UVA rays to tan you in a salon, they have to be 300 to 500 times more intense than what you get from the sun.

"The bottom line is you won't get a suntan without damaging your skin, and in the end it doesn't matter which rays do the damage. Your risk of skin cancer is going up," says Rigel.

Prevention of Skin Cancer Starts Early

While melanoma almost always develops in adulthood, experts say the sunburns of childhood can do the most damage, increasing our risk of cancer with every sun exposure we get later in life. Most people will get the majority of their lifetime exposure to the sun by the time they are 18 years old. As such, both Daly and Rigel emphasize protecting your children as well as yourself from the damaging rays of the sun.  

Shield Your Eyes From Sunlight, Too

When you are heading out to enjoy a day in the sun, maybe on the golf course, or while working in the yard, think beyond sunscreen if you want to fully protect yourself from sun damage.

A good pair of sunglasses and a hat will ensure that you're not blinded by the light.

Most people are aware of the damage ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause to skin. However, you should know your eyes are also vulnerable.

UV can contribute to age-related changes in the eye and a number of serious eye diseases, says Betsy van Die, media relations director for Prevent Blindness America.

Cataracts, sunburned corneas, and cancer of the eyelid are among those UV-related dangers.

"Everybody is at risk, whether it's a child or an adult. Anybody who spends time in the sun and exposes their eyes to the sun without wearing sunglasses or a hat is at risk," van Die says.

UV radiation contains UVA and UVB, and both can harm your eyes.

UVB is the short wavelength radiation that causes sunburn and increases the risk of skin cancer. Intense UVB exposure can cause a condition called photokeratitis in your eyes. That is sunburn on your cornea, the clear membrane that covers the front of your eye.

Corneal sunburn is common in people who spend long hours on the beach or ski slopes without proper eye protection. While it is not permanent, it can be extremely painful and result in temporary vision loss, van Die says.

UVA penetrates deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center field of vision.

Both kinds of UV rays can contribute to the development of cataracts, which affect more than half of all Americans by the age of 80. Currently, there almost 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older with cataracts.

Too much UV exposure may also contribute to macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss for Americans over the age of 55. Cancer of the eyelids is another threat if you do not shield your eyes, van Die says.

Pterygium is yet another UV-related risk. It is a benign, yet abnormal, growth that develops on the white of the eye and may extend onto the cornea, where it can block vision. It can be removed surgically, but it often recurs.

"It's usually found in fishermen, lifeguards, ski patrollers—people who spend a lot of time in the sun without protection," van Die says.

Protection from all these threats is a simple as sunglasses and a hat that shades your face. A wide-brimmed hat reduces the amount of UV on your face by about 50 percent, van Die says. Baseball hats are not as effective, she notes.

Also, when buying sunglasses, only buy a pair if the label indicates the sunglasses block 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB.

You should know there is no way to guarantee those stickers are legitimate, van Die says. Be wary if the label just says the sunglasses "block harmful UV." You can improve the odds by shopping at a reliable store.

Always consult your physician for more information.