Dermatologists urge residents to check hidden spots for early skin cancer detection

Residents of Mecklenburg County should inspect areas of their bodies they often ignore, according to local medical experts. Skin cancer does not always appear as a changing mole. It can hide in places where sunlight does not typically burn the skin. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said people must look at the scalp, behind the ears, between the toes, and underneath the nails.

Rogers explained that doctors use specific criteria to evaluate moles. They check for asymmetry, border irregularities, color changes, diameter shifts, and evolution over time. She noted that a change as small as one millimeter can be a critical warning sign. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck agreed, stating that a millimeter matters a lot. People should track whether a mole has grown, changed shape, or started to bleed.

Many cancers appear in areas that do not look scary, which makes them dangerous, Rogers said. A doctor’s exam can cover blind spots, such as the back of the scalp. Aging expert Amy O’Rourke shared her own experience. She visited a dermatologist for a brown spot on her cheek. A full body scan revealed squamous cell cancer on top of her head. She underwent surgery to remove it.

Rogers identified fair skin, age, and family history as primary risk factors. She said the risk is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. About three-quarters of O’Rourke’s family has had skin cancer. Rogers also corrected a common myth that people with darker skin do not need sunscreen. She stated that everyone needs sunscreen to protect cells and DNA from damage.

Sun protection requires more than just lotion. UVA and UVB light is invisible and can pass through glass windows. Rogers warned that melanoma spreads very quickly and is often linked to deep, intermittent sunburns. Squamous cell and basal cell cancers often present as pinkish, itchy sores that do not heal. Residents should check with their insurance providers, as some plans cover an annual dermatology exam similar to a well woman visit.

Aging well coach Katherie Ambrose recently found a dermatologist and had a full body scan. Her husband did the same. Experts recommend requesting a full body exam and asking about mole mapping during annual visits. This process tracks changes over time. Sun-protective clothing, including rash guards, wide-brimmed hats, and UV clothing, provides an additional layer of defense against invisible light.