Skin cancer... question about where it starts

my wife doesn't cycle, but she had melanoma removed from the underside of her forearm.  i think that skin cancer can manifest itself just about anywhere on your body.  i know my doc always tells me to check between my toes.

Skin cancer of any form is not always directly related to duration in the sun. Many people end up with an initial diagnosis from the back, groin, upper thigh, etc...places that do not see a lot of direct sunlight usually. If you are concerned GET IT CHECKED! no other way to tell. Some things are completely benign dermitological conditions (like my freckles) Other can look benign for a while and then suddenly be bad. Realize also that the most common skin cancers are not Melanomas but are Basal cell Cancers. while these are less dangerous overall if left alone they can still metastisize and become incurable. Most skin cancers if found early are easily removed and may leave a scar but I would rather have a scar than I would be dead.ok sorry for the short rant, just that working in Oncology (though not a doctor) makes me feel slightly passionate about this!

As others have said, it has nothing to do with skin that got the most exposure over the years, it can show up anywhere. Go to your dermagologist and let them check you out, it only takes a few minutes.

x2.

just went through this.  had one mole that the doc wasn't worried about 6mos ago.  got it removed two weeks ago at my bi-annual check up and my results made the doc want to take more skin out.  got the results and i'm clear now and get the stitches out monday.

go to the doc...don't delay...to much to risk

Ok, maybe a silly question here...but, can ANY dermatologist check for skin cancer?  Or do you have to see a 'specialist' for this type of thing?  I've been concerned for awhile now (was an extreme sun-worshipper in my younger days) but admittedly have delayed going to get checked out....out of fear mainly.  I've gotten some really nasty sunburns over the last 10-20 years and I KNOW I need to get checked...I guess I'm in major denial.  How is the exam for this actually done?  Does the doctor check every square inch of your body?  Is it just a visual check...or do they use some kind of machine? 

I have had basal cell carcinoma removed from several areas and atypical moles removed. I was also a "sun worshiper" and have had many burns. I go to a dermatologist every 6 months and get a complete check. He looks at every inch of my skin. He writes down where I have moles and a description of the size/shape. He will look at suspicious areas with a type of magnifying glass. Its not a fun exam...but I would rather have this stuff removed than develop a problem that is much more difficult. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. Get yourself checked!!!!You wont regret it!!!

If you think it's weird get it checked out.  It could be just a patch of itchy dry skin...or an infection...or something else.  Better safe than sorry.

I had a mole removed from my boob- the part that NEVER sees the sun!  The sun can do damage....but it's not a requirement to get skin cancer.

I have had all types of Drs remove moles from me.  In my opinion the best Drs who leave the least scaring and pain is a dermatologist/plastic surgeon.  I go once a year for a body scan with the office derma.  Sure is fun standing nekkid in front of two total strangers the first time....but you get use to it. 

I really like Neutrogena's Ultimate Sport Spray SPF 55.  This is the first year I've tried it and it hasn't let me down. 


Edited by k_watzek 2009-07-21 7:38 PM

I re-apply sunscreen every 1-1.5 hours and I'm not even a big risk (knock wood) for skin cancer. Get your ears! I've read that it's a major primary location for melanoma 'cause folks forget to hit the ears with sunscreen.

I was told by my doc that skin cancer shows up "where the sun don't shine".  I had stage II melanoma, a very dark, jaggered mole was the culprit.  Mole removed, 30 stitches and cancer free.  I also have had many basal cell spots removed.  First year after the melanoma I was checked every 3 months, now I am checked 2 times a year.  Easy exam, takes less than  10 minutes.  My doc knows I will call if I suspect anything at all.  Get checked, it might save your life.

as in all things...it depends. Any derma. is able to spot suspicious areas and biopsy them (several different ways, Excisional, punch, or cautery). They might not be the ones who would do additional excicions, check lymph nodes etc but they can refer you on for that. In General it is an exam they do with the naked Eye or occassional tool like the magnifying glass mentioned above. If you dont have a dermatologist ask for ones that do mole mapping as well when searching as that is a good way to keep track of whats going on. I know the dermatologists that work with our Medical Oncologists for Melanoma take pictures of all the moles and suspicious lesions on a body whether biopsied or not so they have a point of comparison for next time you are seen.

bob marley died of a subungal melanoma on one of his toes (melanoma underneath a toenail.)  

basically skin cancer can show up anywhere on your body where there is skin.  including any and all areas without(or with very limited) direct sun exposure like your genitals, armpits, buttocks, etc.  it's something to take pretty seriously, especially if you have any history of heavy sun exposure, blistering sunburns or are fair-skinned or have a family history of skin cancer.

bottom line is if you think it "looks funny," get it checked out.  good rules of thumb, especially for melanoma, for what to look for when checking out the moles and spots and signs that are concerning:  

border irregularity
color irregularities
change in size/shape/feel

if you're worried, show your doctor.  
 

I have had four bouts with skin cancer - two basal and two squamous (what you describe sounds like squamous).  These are no big deal, especialy if caught early....and the scars make you look tough.  What I've been told, is that while skin cancer may show up anywhere - what we experience now is the cumulative exposure over the past 10-15 years. 

You appear young so get some better sun screen that blocks both uva and uvb rays with a rating over 35 and it should last much longer.  I use coppertone sport 50 - I was just in the Caribbean (cheaper in July) and applied it once in the morning and once at noon and I barely look like I was in the sun.

The best advice is to see a dermatologist.

I was told the best sunscreens to use have zinc oxide as the primary ingredient and have a high percentage of it. Apparently, the other chemicals you see listed have their own risks, especially to young kids. And the spray on stuff is supposedly bad because you are also inhaling the stuff. As a side, the zinc oxide stuff is harder to rub on and can stay sticky and turn clothes white.

In South Africa, we have a LOT of sun. I work outdoors so if any part of my skin stays itchy, looks a bit different from normal..get it checked out. It will save you a ton of harm in the long run. Skin cancer is not something you play around with.

Another melanoma survivor here. DO go to a dermatologist and not a GP. While a GP can remove suspicious moles, a good dermatologist is trained to spot skin cancer. They see it all the time. Yes, they check you up and down, all over, in between your toes, in your scalp and places where the sun don't shine! Have your optomotrist check the back of your eye (retina) which is another place melanomas can occur. Have your spouse or significant other check your back and places you don't see normally yourself. Women tend to get more melanomas on their legs than men do, while men get them on their backs more often than women.