Summer is here—whether you’re at the beach, the park or on vacation, everyone is spending more time in the sun. I am happy as anyone to be enjoying the beautiful weather, but as a dermatologist with 25 years of experience, I also worry about the increased risk of skin cancer.
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and deadliest forms of skin cancer. In the U.S., more than 100,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2025, with approximately 8,000 lives lost to the disease. The good news is there are simple steps, like using sunscreen and avoiding sun at peak afternoon hours, that can minimize risk. For high-risk patients, skin cancer screening can be a life saver.
Nearly 90% of melanoma cases are a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Sunlight is a risk factor for melanoma via two distinct pathways: intermittent sun exposure, or sunburn, especially in childhood, and chronic sun exposure over a lifetime. This radiation damages the DNA within skin cells, which can eventually lead to cancer.
Having fair skin, many moles, family or personal history of melanoma and a weak immune system puts you at greater risk of developing melanoma from UV exposure.
Though melanoma is much more common in individuals with fair skin, people of color are not immune. Black, Hispanic, Asian and others may be at higher risk of developing rare but serious forms of melanoma not typically caused by sun exposure, often located in areas that are less exposed to UV radiation, including palms, soles of the feet, under the nails, in the eye, or in mucosal tissue like the nasal cavity, sinuses, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, vagina and anus. Most people associate melanoma with sun damage and as a Caucasian disease, which leads to patients of color presenting at advanced stages of melanoma, making treatment much more difficult. Any patient of color should be wary of non-healing sores on the bottom of their feet, a high-risk area for this population.
Even for dermatologists, if their clinical focus is not skin cancer, melanoma can be difficult to detect, especially in its early stages. Early cancer can mimic benign skin growths, whereas advanced cancer is easily diagnosed because it has no resemblance to any normal entity.
The earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, and the better the prognosis. Research has shown that early-stage melanomas have a survival rate of approximately 95%. In contrast, melanoma diagnosed at a later stage—when it has spread deeper into the skin or to other parts of the body—has a survival rate of only 50%.
One of the best ways to identify melanoma early is through regular skin screenings. A dermatologist can perform a thorough total-body exam, checking all areas of the body to detect any suspicious moles or lesions. Although it may feel awkward or uncomfortable, these exams are critical for saving lives. For high-risk individuals in particular, skin cancer screenings are key to primary and preventive care, much like a regular check-up. Once you have established care with a dermatologist, they can help you determine your risk level and the frequency at which you should be screened professionally.
This summer, remember to protect your skin with sunscreen, seek shade when the sun is strongest, and, most importantly, make an appointment with a dermatologist and get screened.
The newly established Maimonides Melanoma Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment. This allows us to provide tailored care for each patient, whether they need surgery, radiation or immunotherapy.
From my 25 years practicing dermatology, and diagnosing and treating thousands of cancers, I can say with certainty that prevention and early detection are key to avoiding this very often overlooked disease. You may never think it will happen to you, until it does. So let’s make sure we take these small steps now—and keep enjoying our borough’s favorite season for years to come.
Dr. Daniel Buchen, MD, Chief of Dermatology and Director of the Maimonides Melanoma Center, has been practicing for more than 25 years.
