Physician Dr. Max Pemberton has shared his near-miss with skin cancer, emphasizing that the disease can manifest in ways beyond the typically recognized changing moles. His experience underscores the importance of vigilance for less common presentations of skin cancer, which he says are often overlooked.
Pemberton recounted noticing a small, faintly red mark on his cheekbone that he initially dismissed. Despite its small size, the mark grew, developed a raised patch, and occasionally bled. While friends raised concerns, Pemberton, having had a previous benign spot checked, underestimated its potential seriousness. This oversight was particularly concerning given a family history of skin cancer.
Upon finally consulting a dermatologist, the mark was identified as a squamous cell carcinoma, requiring surgical removal. The dermatologist explained that in fair-skinned individuals, skin cancer often appears as a red mark, a scaly patch, or a persistent sore that doesn't heal, rather than a dark mole. Pemberton noted that this crucial information had not been widely communicated to him during his medical training.
He learned that while squamous cell carcinoma has a high cure rate when detected early, his delay in seeking treatment meant his case was not caught in its earliest stages. Fortunately, he experienced a positive outcome with only minor scarring.
Beyond Moles and Pigment
Pemberton also addressed the misconception that skin cancer solely affects fair-skinned individuals or is always dark in appearance. He pointed out that even melanomas, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can be pink or red due to low pigment levels, making them easily mistaken for harmless blemishes or dry skin. This can lead to delays in diagnosis, even among medical professionals.
The article also cited the case of reggae artist Bob Marley, who died of melanoma at age 36. His cancer began as a dark mark under his toenail, which he reportedly attributed to a sports injury. This type of skin cancer, not directly caused by sun exposure, can occur in areas not typically exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, palms, and under nails.
According to Cancer Research UK, melanoma diagnoses are at a record high in the UK, with projections indicating further increases. More common non-melanoma skin cancers have also seen a significant rise in incidence since the early 1990s.
Prevention and Vigilance
The majority of skin cancers are preventable, primarily linked to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from the sun and sunbeds. Pemberton advises a multi-faceted approach to skin health: regularly checking moles for changes in shape, color, or size, and also monitoring for any red, scaly, or crusted marks that persist for more than a few weeks. Any sore that bleeds and does not heal, or a new patch that appears and remains, should also be investigated.
He stressed the importance of examining often-neglected areas like the scalp, behind the ears, soles of the feet, and under the nails, regardless of skin tone. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and avoiding sunbeds are recommended preventative measures. Pemberton urged individuals to heed any persistent inner concerns about a mark or lesion and to seek medical advice promptly, recalling his own near-disastrous procrastination.