Skin cancer is increasing, but all Texans
can take steps to avoid it
The sun shines more days each year on Central Texas than in Miami. While that
much sunshine can brighten moods, it also can damage skin. Skin cancer is the
most common type of cancer in the United States, and the number of cases
continues to rise. Prevention is key, say dermatologists at Scott & White Healthcare,
who diagnose 20 cases of skin cancer per day. Patients have access to state-of-theart treatment options, and clinicians engage in research to advance the treatment of
what can be a deadly disease.
un exposure causes skin cancer,
says David Butler, MD, chair of
the Scott & White Healthcare
Department of Dermatology. The
department cares for patients with the
spectrum of skin diseases, but much of its
work is focused on helping patients of all
ages prevent skin cancer while providing
innovative treatment solutions to people
diagnosed with this common type of
cancer. “In general, probably about half of
what we do is related to skin cancer, and it
makes up about 70 percent of my practice,”
says Dr. Butler. Preventive measures are
important, and early treatment can assure
the best outcome.
S
Three types of skin cancer
Sun exposure has a direct link to the two
most common and treatable types of skin
cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most
common, affecting one million Americans
a year. “Basal cell carcinomas are not the
types of skin cancer that can kill,” says Dr.
Butler. “But they certainly can cause
significant problems, especially when they
“Apply SPF 30
sunscreen liberally
before sun exposure,
and reapply it every
two hours you’re
outside.”
— Dr. Butler
are located on the nose, the eyelids, the
ears—delicate places like that.” Basal cell
carcinoma usually appears as a pearly
bump that grows over time.
Squamous cell carcinoma, which may
have a wart-like appearance, is the second
most common type of skin cancer. It is
more aggressive, grows faster and is more
likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.
“Six thousand people a year die of this
kind of skin cancer, so it’s a significant
problem,” says Dr. Butler.
The third type of skin cancer,
melanoma, is the most recognized. It can
spread rapidly and cause death. It is the
least common type of skin cancer,
although the number of cases is increasing.
Each year in America 60,000 melanoma
cases are reported and 8,000 people die
from it.
“We seem to be undergoing an
epidemic of melanoma in our country
right now,” says Dr. Butler. “The
incidence of melanoma has gone up
dramatically over the past several decades.
But the death rate has been fairly stable
because we’ve been able to detect it
and remove it early.”
Unlike the other forms of skin cancer,
melanoma doesn’t appear to be linked
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