One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Regardless of age, gender or race, ALL solid organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of skin cancer compared to the general population due to the immunosuppressive medications taken to protect transplanted organs.
In fact, skin cancer is the most common post-transplant malignancy in solid organ transplant recipients. Therefore, it is critical to partner with a board-certified dermatologist as part of your post-transplant care in order to assess your individual risk and manage any skin cancers that develop.
The good news is that YOU have the ability to decrease your risk for skin cancer and detect skin cancers early, by following these 3 steps all year long:
1. Protect your skin from the sun
Avoid or Minimize Sun Exposure
The first step in protecting your skin from the sun is to avoid or minimize sun exposure as much as possible. A good rule of thumb is “No burns and no tans.” The sun emits ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB rays) that leads to tanning and sun burn in the short-term, as well as premature aging and an increased risk for skin cancer in the long-term. Every time you tan, you damage your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer.
We recommend staying indoors during the hours of peak sunlight — 10 am to 4 pm — when UVB intensity is at its highest level. It is important to note that UVA levels stay relatively constant throughout the day and that clouds do not protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. When outside, seek shade and wear sun protective clothing. Water, snow, and sand also reflect UV light, increasing the risk of sunburn.
Invest in Sun Protective Clothing and Gear
If the outdoors cannot be avoided you should invest in sun protective clothing and gear. This includes long-sleeved shirts and pants, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Ideally, you should wear clothing associated with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which is a standard used to measure UV protection for fabrics. Clothes with a UPF of 40+ provide excellent coverage, blocking more than 97 percent of UV rays. Sun-protective clothing has multiple advantages over sunscreen: it begins working as soon as you put it on, it does not degrade over time like sunscreen, and it lasts multiple seasons.
Use Sunscreen Daily
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the daily use of water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection against both UVA and UVB light. While no sunscreen is capable of blocking 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays, sunscreens with SPF 30 and higher block 97 percent of rays. Sunscreens are safe for ages 6 months and older.
Chemical sunscreens (for example, avobenzone) work by absorbing the sun’s rays, while physical sunscreens (with active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) block the sun’s rays from penetrating your skin. Both formulations are effective. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and should cover all sun-exposed areas of the body, including your lips and ears. Most adults require 1 ounce of sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, sooner if swimming or sweating.
Avoid Tanning Beds
Indoor tanning booths have been classified as cancer-causing agents. Studies have shown a markedly increased risk of melanoma in individuals that have been exposed to radiation from indoor tanning devices. There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanned skin represents sun-damaged skin.
2. Perform a Monthly Self Skin Exam
Familiarizing yourself with your skin is critical to potentially catching any signs of skin cancer early. Examine your skin from head to toe in a well-lit room using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. Look everywhere, including your scalp, palms, soles of the feet and in between fingers and toes. Visit the American Academy of Dermatology website for more information.
3. See a Dermatologist
When detected early, skin cancer is curable. Having regular skin examinations with a board-certified dermatologist increases the likelihood that if you develop skin cancer, it is detected and treated early. All solid organ transplant recipients should be screened for skin cancer. Your dermatologist may recommend that you have more frequent skin examinations based on your risk factors and history of skin cancer. Notify your transplant team if you notice any spots or growths on your skin that are new or changing, growing or bleeding.
The Penn Dermatology Oncology Center’s High-Risk Clinic for Transplant and Immunosuppressed Patients offer special expertise in treating post-transplant patients and managing their increased skin cancer risks.
Call 215-360-0909 to schedule your comprehensive full skin examination and risk assessment with one of our board-certified dermatologists.