Tag Archive for: skin cancer

jimmy-buffet-cancer

The Cancer that Killed Jimmy Buffett

jimmy-buffet-cancer

By Laura Monoghan, PA-C

Jimmy Buffett, the songwriter known for “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” along with many others, recently died after a 4-year battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). His untimely death has increased awareness of this rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, whose origins are the Merkel cell, a sensory receptor cell in the top layer of the skin.

Who is at risk for Merkel Cell Carcinoma?

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 90% of cases occur in people over age 50, and incidence increases with age. It is slightly more common in men (60%), and significantly more common in Caucasians (95%). Interestingly, 80% of cases in North America are associated with a virus, the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus. This virus is very common and often cleared by a healthy immune system. However, several factors can increase the risk of developing MCC, including:

  • Immunosuppression (including organ transplantation, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, HIV infection)
  • Increased sun exposure
  • PUVA therapy

merkel cell carcinomaWhat does this skin cancer look like?

MCC commonly presents as a fast-growing, painless red to purple nodule on sun-exposed skin. However, it can also present as a metastatic disease without evidence of a primary nodule. The most likely spots are on the head or neck. The area can grow quickly and is usually painless. Although more common in fair-skinned individuals, Black patients may also develop these tumors and they may occur on the legs. They may be mistaken for a cyst, insect bite, or pimple.

How is it diagnosed?

MCC is typically diagnosed by a biopsy. This involves numbing the skin and taking a small sample of tissue to send to the lab for testing. Imaging such as a CT, MRI, or PET scan, as well as a lymph node biopsy, may be ordered to look for evidence of metastasis.

How is it treated?

The primary nodule is typically removed surgically, followed by radiation therapy. Also utilized for some patients is immunotherapy, which helps boost the immune system’s defense against the cancer, and chemotherapy which limits the spread of cancer cells.

How to prevent Merkel Cell Carcinoma

  • Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day, re-apply every 2 hours, and after swimming or perspiring
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing with UPF of 50
  • Limit outdoor activities or seek shade between 10 am and 4 pm
  • Look for changes in your skin

If you have any concerns or notice any changes in your skin that persist for more than 6 weeks, make an appointment to be examined.

 

 

 

Sources:

Bolognia, Jean, L. et al. Dermatology. Available from: Elsevier eBooks+, (4th Edition). Elsevier – OHCE, 2017.

James, William, D. et al. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin. Available from: Elsevier eBooks+, (13th Edition). Elsevier – OHCE, 2019.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. (n.d.). Key statistics for Merkel cell carcinoma. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/merkel-cell-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

 

Skin Cancer Screening at Dermatologist near Washington DC

by Laura Monaghan, PA-C

 

May brings warm weather, prom season, and spending time poolside. In the world of dermatology, May also brings Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in females ages 15-29. Melanoma rates have doubled from 1982 to 2011, and on average one American dies of melanoma every hour. So, what exactly is melanoma? And what can you do about it?

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a form of cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigment. Damage to the cell’s DNA allows the melanocytes to grow uncontrollably. This can present as a changed mole, a new dark spot, or even a pink nodule on the skin. There are multiple factors that can increase your risk of developing melanoma, which includes:

  • Family history of melanoma 
  • Tanning bed use
  • Sun exposure 
  • Increased age 
  • More than 50 moles, large moles, or atypical moles 
  • Fair skin and light hair/eye color 
  • Personal history of melanoma or other skin cancer 
  • Personal history of other cancers 

Base Tan

Despite the popular idea of getting a “base tan” to kickstart the summer, there is no such thing as a safe tan. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one indoor tanning session before age 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma by 75%. The risk increases with every subsequent use.

How to prevent skin cancer

Prevention and early detection are key goals of melanoma care. This includes avoiding the sun during the highest UV index hours (10AM-4PM) and wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and hats, and sunglasses. Routine full-body skin exams with your dermatologist and monitoring your skin at home are also recommended for early detection. Click here to learn what to signs to look for during your skin exam.

Check out this video of Dr. Skelsey and one of her melanoma patients.

 

 

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology. (2018-2020). Key Messages.

Chien, A., & Jacobe, H. (2022, July). Tanning & Your Skin. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved May 7, 2023, from https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/#:~:text=Indoor%20Tanning%20Dangers&text=increased%20risk%20of%20developing%20life,a%20sign%20of%20skin%20damage.

Indoor tanning. American Academy of Dermatology. (2021, June 21). Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/media/stats-indoor-tanning#:~:text=Using%20tanning%20beds%20before%20age,risk%20increases%20with%20each%20use.&text=Women%20younger%20than%2030%20are,melanoma%20if%20they%20tan%20indoors

Sun and Skin Cancer Myths

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Sun and Skin Cancer Myths

Skin cancer is the most common of all types of cancer. Nearly one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, causes nearly 20 Americans to die every day. As May is National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, it’s important to debunk some common skin cancer misconceptions.

Myth: Having a base tan will prevent sunburns.

  • UV exposure causes your skin to increase its melanin production, which leads to a darker skin tone. This process is a natural defense mechanism as a result of sun damage. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

Myth: Indoor tanning is a safe alternative to UV exposure from the sun.

  • Tanning beds produce UVA and UVB light. UV exposure from any source can lead to skin damage, wrinkles, aging, and skin cancer.

Myth: Clouds will protect from the sun’s UV rays.

  • Up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through the cloud.

Myth: I need sun exposure to get vitamin D.

  • You can maintain adequate levels of this essential nutrient from supplements or  foods that are either naturally contain Vitamin D or are fortified with it.

Myth: The higher the SPF the better.

  • SPF protection doesn’t increase proportionately with the designated SPF number. SPF 30 absorbs 97% of the sun’s burning UV rays, while SPF 50 absorbs around 98% and SPF 100 absorbs 99%. A sunscreen with at least a SPF of 30 is recommended.

Fortunately, exposure to UV light is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. It’s important to seek shade, especially from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., when the UV index is at its highest. Wearing a broad- spectrum (UVA and UVB coverage), water- resistant SPF of 30 or higher is recommended and should be reapplied every two hours and after swimming/sweating. Sun protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection should also be worn when possible. Lastly, regular total body skin exams and exams using the ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving) can result in early skin cancer detection. 

Get yourself checked today!

sun Protection Supplements

Sunburn, Skin Cancer and Supplements

sun Protection Supplements

Sunburn and Skin Cancer

Sunburn is inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Although sunburn often results in short term pain, redness, and dryness, the long term effects of sunburn can lead to serious consequences including skin cancer.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is considered to be the most common form of cancer in the United States and the incidence of NMSC is on the rise. The current methods available to protect against UV radiation include the use of hats and or protective clothing, sunscreens, avoidance of midday sun, and seeking shade. However, compliance with these methods is low due to the inconvenience of use, forgetting to reapply, desire to be tan, and protective clothing being too hot to wear. The introduction of an oral supplement as an adjunctive treatment for the protection against the harmful effects of UV exposure may provide a simple solution.

Oral Supplements as Sun Protection

Starr 050107-2831 Phlebodium aureum

Polypodium leucotomos extract and Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) are two oral supplements that have proven to be effective photoprotective agents. Polypodium leucotomos extract is derived from a Central and South American fern plant.¹,² Studies have shown that it possesses properties ranging from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and photoprotective.¹ In the U.S., it is currently marketed as an oral dietary supplement (Heliocare) with a recommended dose of one 240 mg capsule 30 minutes before sun exposure, followed by an additional 240 mg capsule 3 hours after prolonged sun exposure. It has proven to be well-absorbed, well-tolerated, with negligible risk of side effects, and no recognizable toxic effects.²

Nicotinamide’s photoprotective effects range from replenishing cellular energy after UV radiation, enhancing DNA repair, reducing UV-induced immune suppression, reducing number of actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions), and improving the skin barrier function. It’s recommended dosage is 500 mg two times per day. It has been found to be safe and well-tolerated even at high doses.3,4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Choudhry SZ, Bhatia N, Ceilley R, et al. Role of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract in
dermatologic diseases: a review of the literature.J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(2):148-153.

Winkelmann RR, Del Rosso J, Rigel DS. Polypodium leucotomos extract: a status report on
clinical efficacy and safety. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(3):254-261.

Damian DL. Nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention. Australas J Dermatol.
2017;58(3):174-180.

Chen AC Martin AJ, Choy B, et al. A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide
for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:1618-1626.

How to Properly Examine Skin for Signs of Cancer

Peace of Mind During Pandemic

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and while you don’t need another thing to worry about these days, it’s important to learn about melanoma and understand its risks. Approximately 200,000 melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020 and it’s estimated that the number of new melanoma cases diagnosed will increase by almost 2 percent this year. Men age 49 and under have a higher chance of developing melanoma than any other cancer, and women age 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer except breast and thyroid cancers.

The good news is that the vast number are curable, especially when diagnosed in the earliest stages. The estimated five-year survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99 percent.

How to Check Your Skin for Cancer

You can stop worrying about melanoma by taking a good look at your skin once a month. Look for anything new, changing or unusual on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas of the body. Melanomas commonly appear on the legs of women, and the number one place they develop on men is the trunk. Keep in mind, though, that melanomas can arise anywhere on the skin, even in areas where the sun doesn’t shine, including the groin, genitalia, the bottom of your feet and in or around your nails.

What to Look for During Skin Screening

I recommend comparing a suspicious spot to surrounding moles to determine if it looks different from its neighbors. These “ugly ducklings,” or outlier lesions, can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker compared to surrounding moles. A solitary lesion without any surrounding moles for comparison are also considered ugly ducklings. About 20 to 30 percent of melanomas develop in existing moles, while 70 to 80 percent arise on seemingly normal skin.

Not every melanoma is dark or pigmented. Amelanotic melanomas are missing the dark pigment melanin that gives most moles their color. These melanomas may be pinkish, reddish, white, the color of your skin or even clear and colorless, making them difficult to spot.

Look out for any new moles or freckles that arise on your skin, a sore or spot that does not heal, a change in any existing mole (growing, swelling, itching) or any spot, mole or lesion that looks unusual.

You might find lots of things that suggest a lesion of concern, but another encouraging bit of information is that many lesions that meet these criteria are benign, and can be diagnosed while you are in the comfort of your own living room.

Non-invasive Biopsy from Home

Through telemedicine, I see many dark spots that are actually benign. Seborrheic keratoses, benign sun spots, and even ticks can look like melanoma. During this past month I am gratified to be able to reassure patients who are concerned about new lumps and bumps. Only on a few occasions have I determined that a spot needs further evaluation. What happens then? Does that mean you need to come into the office? Not necessarily.

DermTech PLATechnology has advanced to a degree that we can assess a pigmented mole through an innovative genomic test that can be done by you at home. The DermTech Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA), which comes in a kit sent to a patient’s home, can determine if a mole is benign or if it has the genomic risk factors of melanoma and needs to be biopsied. The PLA has an adhesive patch that sticks to a mole like tape and is peeled off painlessly to collect skin cells. When administering the test, you draw a circle on the tape to highlight the location of the lesion (as seen in the picture). Skin cells that stick to the adhesive patch are analyzed in a specialized laboratory where the cells are examined for two genes that can indicate the presence of melanoma. This gene expression analysis enables DermTech to accurately distinguish between melanoma and non-melanoma.

With the PLA, there is a less than 1% chance of missing melanoma. It results in fewer unnecessary biopsies, and allows us to limit in-office visits. Plus, it’s painless and doesn’t leave a scar.

What’s the process?

Schedule a telehealth appointment by calling our office at (301) 652-8081 to discuss your skin cancer concerns. If it’s advised that you need to have any lesions further evaluated, we may suggest the DermTech PLA. A kit is sent to your home and we supervise the application of the adhesive sticker via a telehealth visit. Results are available in approximately one week, which means that peace of mind, a rare commodity these days, might just be a week away.

R-lower-eyelid-BCC-845x321

What do Eyes Have to do With It?

R-lower-eyelid-BCC-845x321

You might not think of an eye exam as part of your annual skin check visit to the dermatologist, but there are several serious conditions, including cancers of the eyelids, that can be easily missed without a thorough examination. Your annual skin check should include a visualization of the upper and lower eyelids for tumors, assessment of hair distribution along the lash line to check for alopecia, as well as evaluation of eye symptoms, such as eye irritation or a gritty sensation, which can be associated with skin conditions like rosacea.

If a suspicious skin growth is found on or near the eyelid region, a biopsy should be performed to determine the type of lesion present. The most common malignant growths of the eye area are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Other less common types of eyelid cancers are sebaceous carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and intraocular melanoma. Risk factors for eyelid skin cancers include fair skin (blue eyes and red or blonde hair), immunosuppression, and history of previous radiation to the face.

Types of eyelid skin cancers

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The eyelid skin is extremely vulnerable to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, making non-melanoma skin cancers, like BCC, quite common. While BCCs rarely spread to the bloodstream, they can grow large and cause disfigurement and sometimes even loss of the eye; this necessitates prompt removal with Mohs surgery, which is sometimes performed in consultation with an oculoplastic surgeon. To prevent BCCs of the eyelids, I recommend that you wear UV blocking sunglasses and don a hat — the wider the brim the better. And of course, always wear sunscreen. Stick Sunscreens for sensitive skin are generally well-tolerated around the eyes.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): SCCs make up a smaller portion of eyelid cancers, but have a slightly higher risk of metastasis than BCCs. Prevention and treatment of eyelid SCC is similar to BCC.

Melanoma: Intraocular melanoma is the most common type of cancer that can develop within the eye in adults, yet it is still very rare. It can be found in the back of the eye in the pigmented layer of the eyeball, known as the uvea. This area is not visible to eye doctors during a regular eye exam, therefore it is crucial for individuals with a personal or strong family history of melanoma to undergo yearly dilated eye exams with an ophthalmologist. It is unclear how intraocular melanoma develops, although there are individuals who are genetically predisposed. Anyone with light hair and eye color is at a higher risk of developing eye melanoma, as are welders — either through increased occupational ultraviolet radiation exposure or other environmental causes. Melanoma is a serious diagnosis due to its ability to spread to the bloodstream and other organs. Treatment of intraocular melanoma may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Bottom line: Check your eyelids for new growths and protect your eyes from UV exposure. Your eyes are not impervious to skin cancer!

 

 

 

References

Bain, J. (September 25, 2018). Focus on Eyelid Skin Cancers: Early Detection and Treatment. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Available online at: https://www.skincancer.org/blog/eyelid-skin-cancers/

Katella, K. (July 24, 2018). For Eye Cancer, Exams are Crucial. Yale Medicine. Available online at: https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/eye-cancer-prevention/

Mayo Clinic Staff (September 18, 2018). Eye Melanoma. Available online at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-melanoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372376.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

I love France! The food, the wine and …  the sunscreen! This week I’m writing about two of my favorite topics in one blog post: Sun Protection and the South of France!

The weather report from the outside world to us office-dwellers is that it’s been wonderful out there: sunny and not as humid as a typical Washington summer. That helps explain why I am being asked constantly for a recommendation for the best sunscreen. There is of course another reason for needing guidance: there are so many sunscreen options available. Standing in the aisle at CVS trying to pick the right one hasn’t been made any easier with the recent headline: “Sunscreen enters bloodstream after just one day of use, study says…”

That health alert was but a blip in the news cycle, but it was important and I am glad that my patients are still asking about it. The study, published in the medical journal JAMA, showed that four sunscreens when applied in maximal use scenarios (four times daily, on 75% of the body) resulted in measurable amounts of the chemical sunscreen agent passing through the skin to the bloodstream. It sounds alarming, but the study stopped short of looking at the health impact of the discovery and thus additional studies are underway. It’s important to note that all of the chemicals identified in the study are FDA-approved and have been in use for many years, without showing any harm. Likewise, there is strong evidence that regular sunscreen use helps reduce the risk of cancer and premature skin aging, so there is no justification for abandoning sun-safe behavior.

So, what should we slather on in the meantime?

Getting to that answer involves a quick look at the science behind how sunscreens work. There are two general classes of sun protection agents that differ in their method of action. SunSCREENS are those that rely on active chemical agents (with names like oxybenzone) that absorb harmful UV radiation and release its latent energy as heat on the skin surface. This was the class included in the study.

SunBLOCKS work entirely differently. They employ extremely fine-grained minerals, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to provide a physical barrier at the skin surface. These inert minerals reflect or scatter the radiation, preventing the rays from ever reaching the skin. In days past, they were the magic in the greasy white paint lifeguards smeared on their noses. Today, these minerals have been refined and formulated in to sheer creams, lotions and sprays that are invisible when worked in to the skin and pleasant to the touch.

Okay, let’s talk about France! 

American dermatologists and others interested in the topic have known for years that you can buy a much wider array of UV-stopping products in Europe. Why is that? This answer requires a brief look at government regulation. European consumer product rules are focused on the accuracy of manufacturers’ claims, which in the case of sunscreens and blocks is about their ability to stop or absorb UV rays. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration assesses manufacturers’ claims of efficacy. However, the FDA is concerned with potential toxicity of the same chemicals within the human body and environment, thus setting a higher bar of regulation. Meeting the FDA’s testing requirements takes considerable time for which many European manufacturers do not have the appetite. Several European brands have cleared this high bar, though, bringing a few sunscreen formulations to the US that have been used in Europe for years. In the meantime, there are many more choices available throughout Europe.

All this explains why on a recent sunny weekend in the south of France an American dermatologist (moi) was SLOWLY browsing a wide array of sun screen products in a charming pharmacy. Even for me, the process was daunting!

So at last, my best sun protection product advice: when reading a product label, be it in France or CVS, use sunblocks that rely on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and have an SPF 30 or higher. These active ingredients have not been found to cross in to the blood stream, they are non-toxic, they stop UVA and UVB from reaching your skin and some formulations have become so sheer that you don’t even notice you have them on. These “physical” sunblocks are widely available. For years, my office has only carried sunscreens that have fewer chemicals and rely on non-reactive ingredients. If you are heading to the south of France or the south side of your neighborhood pool, you can pick them up on your next visit, or call and we can ship to you.

fotofinder washington dc dermatologist

Early Detection Just Got VERY High Tech

FotoFinder Automated Total Body Mapping Studio

“Early detection” is something I talk about a lot.  That is for good reason: skin cancer is not only the most common form of cancer in the United States, it is also the most curable – that is, IF it is detected early.  This is why I talk just as much about the importance of regular full body exams.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so this is an especially good time to mention a powerful new early detection tool I’ve just added to my practice:  FotoFinder.  This breakthrough technology is truly one of the most impactful medical devices I have seen in my career.

FotoFinder combines the very best photographic equipment and German robotic engineering in a way that superbly augments the dermatology professional during full body exams.

Here’s how it works: The computer-controlled machine captures highly detailed photographs of the entire skin surface and merges them into a comprehensive Total Body Map.  It then employs artificial intelligence to meticulously compare current skin conditions to earlier “baseline” images.  If it “sees” new moles, or even minute changes in existing moles, it automatically flags them for detailed follow up by the professional.  The mapping and analysis process take just 20 minutes.  It is amazing technology that will greatly advance early detection of skin cancer.

Baseline: FotoFinder Total Body Map

Follow Up: Updated Body Map, with moles highlighted for further examination

When I saw this sophisticated device in action, I knew immediately I need to bring this to our patients.  The Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington is the first and only practice in the Washington, DC region to install this significant advancement in the science of early detection.

Since we installed the system in January, I am often asked who should consider FotoFinder early detection technology?  If you can answer yes to any of these questions, I recommend we discuss if FotoFinder is right for you:

  • Do you have a history of melanoma or other skin cancer?
  • Do you have a family history of skin cancer?
  • Do you have many moles – more than 50?
  • Do you have large moles – 2 inches in diameter or larger?
  • Do you see changes in a mole or have new moles?
  • Do you have a history of a severe, blistering sunburn as a child or adolescent?
  • Do you have very light skin?
  • Are you exposed to strong sunlight on a regular basis?

Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to make an appointment with one of our talented dermatology professionals for your next full body exam – and create your baseline Total Body Map with FotoFinder.

Click here to make an appointment online or call us at 301-652-8081.

 

All the photos used are courtesy: FotoFinder Systems, Inc.

Immunotherapy for Melanoma

Melanoma is by far the deadliest skin cancer but recent advances in cancer treatment have significantly improved the prognosis.  More than one million Americans are living with melanoma. It is estimated that 91,270 invasive melanoma cases will be diagnosed in 2018, with invasive melanoma projected to become the fifth most common cancer in men and the sixth most common cancer in women in 2018.[1]

Melanoma is more likely than most cancers to spread to the brain, and once it gets there, fewer than 20 percent of patients survive within one year with traditional treatments.[2]  However, newer options utilizing the body’s own immune system hold promise for helping patients with advanced-stage melanoma.  You may have read about the recent Nobel Prize winner, Jim Allison from MD Anderson Cancer Center.  His discoveries laid the ground-work for a life-saving new treatment for melanoma.

Immunotherapy works by harnessing the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Within our immune system, there are regulatory molecules called immune checkpoints, which work to keep the immune system in a balanced state (homeostasis). Tumors from cancers like melanoma take advantage of this regulatory mechanism to avoid being eliminated by the immune system. [3]

A specific group of immunotherapy drugs, called checkpoint inhibitors, work by inhibiting these immune checkpoints to release the brakes and unleash a much stronger immune response to the tumor. While these drugs do not help everyone, they have demonstrated excellent results thus far and are an important part of the initial treatment plan for patients with advanced melanoma.

 

 

[1] American Academy of Dermatology. Skin Cancer; Incidence Rates. Available online at: https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer.
[2] Grady, Denise (Aug 22, 2018). Immunotherapy Drugs Slow Skin Cancer That Has Spread To The Brain. The New York Times; A16.
[3] Grady, Denise (Aug 22, 2018). Immunotherapy Drugs Slow Skin Cancer That Has Spread To The Brain. The New York Times; A16.

what-is-your-skin-cancer-iq

Test your skin cancer IQ

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop this condition in their lifetime. Skin cancer is triggered by mutations or defects in DNA, leading to cells growing out of control to form malignant tumors.