May 20, 2026.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, yet it is also one of the most preventable and treatable when detected early. Awareness, early recognition of warning signs, and consistent skin checks, both self-exams and professional evaluations, can make a life-saving difference.
Did You Know?
May is recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a nationwide initiative focused on education, prevention, and early detection of skin cancer. Throughout the month, healthcare providers and community organizations emphasize the importance of sun safety, routine skin checks, and recognizing early warning signs. Events are often held across the country, including educational campaigns, free or low-cost skin screenings, and community awareness programs designed to encourage people to take a proactive approach to their skin health. At Gold Skin Care Center, we use this month as an opportunity to connect with our community, answer questions, and encourage everyone to take a more proactive approach to their skin health. If you have been putting off a skin check, there is no better time to schedule one.
Why Skin Cancer Awareness Matters
Skin cancer develops when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably, often due to DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The most common types include:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Melanoma (the most dangerous form)
While BCC and SCC are typically highly treatable when caught early, melanoma can spread quickly and become life-threatening if not detected promptly.
The encouraging news is that most skin cancers are preventable with proper sun protection and consistent early detection habits, both of which the team at Gold Skin Care Center is here to support you with.
Common Signs of Skin Cancer
Knowing what to look for is one of the most important steps in prevention. Many skin cancers begin as subtle changes in the skin that are easy to overlook.
The ABCDE Rule for Moles (Melanoma Warning Signs)
- A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other
- B – Border: Irregular, jagged, or blurred edges
- C – Color: Multiple shades such as brown, black, red, white, or blue
- D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser, though smaller lesions can still be dangerous
- E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or texture over time.
There are several other warning signs worth knowing beyond the ABCDE rule. A sore that does not heal or keeps returning should never be ignored, nor should any new growth or spot that looks noticeably different from others on your skin. Basal cell carcinoma often presents as a shiny, pearly, or waxy bump, while squamous cell carcinoma more commonly appears as a scaly, crusted, or bleeding lesion. Any mole or spot that becomes itchy, tender, or painful is also worth having evaluated by a professional at Gold Skin Care Center as soon as possible.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
While anyone can develop skin cancer, certain factors increase your risk. These include a history of excessive sun exposure or sunburns, fair skin, light hair, or light-colored eyes, the use of tanning beds, and a personal or family history of skin cancer. A weakened immune system also plays a role, as does living in a high UV-exposure region, where year-round sunshine means your skin is rarely getting a break. It is worth noting that darker skin tones do not provide immunity. People of all ethnicities and complexions can develop skin cancer, and routine skin checks at Gold Skin Care Center are just as important regardless of your background or skin tone.
Prevention: Protecting Your Skin Every Day
Skin cancer is largely preventable with consistent habits.
Protecting your skin from the sun does not require a complicated routine, but it does require consistency. Start with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every single day, not just when you are heading to the beach, and reapply every two hours when you are spending time outdoors. Pair that with protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, and try to seek shade during peak UV hours between 10am and 4pm when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Tanning beds should be avoided completely, as they expose your skin to concentrated UV radiation with no safe threshold. At Gold Skin Care Center, we carry EltaMD and other medical-grade skincare products in our medspa shop to help you build a sun protection routine that actually works for your skin. Ask our team for a recommendation at your next visit.
Make Sunscreen a Habit, Not an Afterthought
Sunscreen should be part of your daily skincare routine, not just something used at the beach. Even incidental sun exposure adds up over time.
At Gold Skin Care Center, we see patients across all skin tones and backgrounds. Even individuals with darker skin tones are still at risk and should not overlook regular professional evaluations.
The Importance of Regular Skin Checks
Early detection is one of the most powerful tools in preventing serious outcomes from skin cancer.
Self Skin Exams (Monthly)
Performing a monthly self-check helps you become familiar with your skin so you can quickly identify changes. Check:
- Face, neck, and scalp
- Arms, hands, and under nails
- Torso, back, and buttocks
- Legs and feet, including between toes
Professional Skin Exams
A yearly full-body skin exam with a medical provider or dermatologist is highly recommended, and more frequently if you are high-risk.
Professional screenings are valuable precisely because they catch what you cannot easily see yourself. A trained provider at Gold Skin Care Center can identify early-stage cancers that have not yet become visible to the untrained eye, spot suspicious lesions in hard-to-reach areas like the scalp, back, or soles of the feet, and track subtle changes in existing moles over time that might be easy to dismiss during a self-exam. If you have any spots or areas of concern, our team is here to take a closer look and make sure anything unusual is evaluated early and appropriately.
Why Early Detection Changes Everything
When skin cancer is caught early, everything improves. Treatment is simpler and far less invasive, cosmetic outcomes are significantly better, and survival rates, particularly for melanoma, are much higher than when the disease is found at a later stage. The difference between catching something early and waiting can be the difference between a minor procedure and a major one. Delaying evaluation of a suspicious spot, even by a few months, can allow a highly treatable condition to become something far more serious. If something on your skin has changed or does not look right, do not wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I get a skin cancer screening?
Most people should have a professional skin exam once per year. If you have a history of skin cancer or multiple risk factors, your provider may recommend more frequent screenings.
Can skin cancer develop in areas not exposed to the sun?
Yes. Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, including areas that do not typically receive sun exposure, such as the scalp, soles of the feet, and under nails.
Are moles always cancerous if they change?
Not always, but any change in a mole should be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out skin cancer or other skin conditions.
Can sunscreen completely prevent skin cancer?
Sunscreen significantly reduces risk, but it does not eliminate it entirely. It should be used alongside protective clothing, shade, and regular skin checks.
What age should I start getting skin checks?
Adults should begin regular skin exams in their 20s or earlier if they have risk factors such as family history or frequent sun exposure.
Skin cancer awareness is about prevention, not fear. With consistent sun protection, awareness of warning signs, and routine skin checks, you can dramatically reduce your risk and protect your long-term health.
If you notice any changes in your skin, do not wait. Early evaluation is always the safest choice, and the team at Gold Skin Care Center is here to help.
Schedule your skin check with Gold Skin Care Center today.
