Prostate Cancer Screening and Early Detection

Protect Your Skin: Tips To Protect Against The Sun And Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and it can show up in places you might not expect.

To help us kick off the dog days of summer, Meg Judy talks with Dr. Jordan Parker, a board-certified dermatologist at MU Health Care, about how to spot early signs of skin cancer and what people often overlook when applying sunscreen.

Dr. Parker shares why a thorough skin check matters and how subtle signs, like changes in mole shape or color, can be warning signs of melanoma.

Sun protection isn't just for beach days, either.

"We really need to think about things that add up in the day, including walking to the mailbox and driving in the car," Dr. Parker said.

She explains how UVA rays can pass through vehicle windows and emphasizes the importance of consistent sun protection, even during routine activities.

Whether you're curious about when to start yearly skin checks or what to expect at your first screening, Dr. Parker offers practical advice to help you stay safe and informed.

Watch the full interview to learn how MU Health Care can help you protect the skin you're in.

Elsbeth's Carrie Preston, 58, Talks Skin Cancer Diagnosis And Recovery

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways

Best known for playing the charmingly-quirky sleuth Elsbeth on the hit CBS show of the same name, actress Carrie Preston, 58, recently revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer after a mole on her cheek tested positive for basal cell carcinoma. Here, everything you need to know about her health scare and recovery. Plus a top dermatologist shares early warning signs of this common form of skin cancer and the most effective treatment options.

Carrie Preston learned she had skin cancer while filming Elsbeth 

On the last day of shooting season two of Elsbeth, Preston learned a mole on her face was cancerous, she told Busy Phillips on her podcast Busy This Week. "Everyone kept asking me what are you going to do on your hiatus [from the show]," she said. "Just an hour prior, I had found out that a test I had done on a mole on my cheek was basal cell carcinoma… I didn't want to tell people because I was shocked and a little bit ashamed, a little bit like, what did I do wrong?"

Her initial reaction to the diagnosis is a familiar one, notes board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist Pooja Rambhia, MD, FAAD. "It's common to see patients express guilt," she confirms. "But skin cancer is often the result of several factors, many of which are out of your control, like genetics, UV exposure decades earlier and skin type."

Luckily, the Emmy winner's misplaced sense of shame quickly yielded to the support of friends and colleagues, particularly her fellow actresses on set that day.

"Within minutes these women just rallied around me" —Carrie Preston

"I thought let me talk to these women, and I was just honest: This just happened, and I've got to get this surgery—I'd never even heard of this procedure before called a Mohs," she recalled. "And these women just rallied around me… [guest star] Mary-Louise Parker was like, 'My friend just did that; let me get on the phone.' Within like five minutes I was talking to a doctor's office, and I had an appointment for the following week."

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all skin cancer cases, reveals Dr. Rambhia. "BCC typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly the face, neck, ears, scalp, shoulders and back. On the face, it commonly occurs on the nose, forehead and cheeks, which aligns with Carrie Preston's experience."

Early skin cancer symptoms to watch for

This type of skin cancer can present in several ways, Dr. Rambhia says. Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma may include:

A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns

"Sometimes [BCC] appears as a pink growth with a slightly elevated, rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center," she adds.

Unlike melanoma, which can spread aggressively throughout the body, BCC rarely metastasizes and is much less dangerous than other skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, she assures.

"The prognosis is excellent, with over 95 percent cure rates when treated promptly through surgical removal like Preston underwent," Dr. Rambhia says. "While BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs, it can cause significant local tissue damage if left untreated, making early detection and immediate medical attention crucial for the best outcomes."

How basal cell carcinoma is treated

Preston admitted she had never heard of the procedure, called Mohs surgery, used to remove the cancerous mole, acknowledging it was a little more involved than she expected.

What exactly does it entail? "Mohs surgery is a precise technique where thin layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain—offering both the highest cure rate and maximal tissue preservation," explains Dr. Rambhia.

While this is one of the most common treatments, alternatives include standard surgical excision, topical treatments like imiquimod (a cream that boosts the immune system to kill abnormal cells), cryotherapy (freezing cancer cells) and radiation therapy, depending on the tumor's size, location and type, she adds.

Preston is recovering from skin cancer surgery

Describing her recovery, Preston told Phillips, "I have a scar that's healing… so I have to wear these silicone scar strips."

Indeed, when it comes to minimizing scar tissue, early intervention makes a big difference. "Gentle wound care, silicone gels and sun protection all help, but laser treatments—especially when started within the first few months [following surgery]—can dramatically improve the scar's appearance," says Dr. Rambhia.

"Vascular lasers can reduce redness, while fractional lasers can smooth and soften texture, leading to a more refined cosmetic outcome," she adds. Consult a cosmetic dermatologist to learn more.

Not to be outdone by her fashion-forward Elsbeth character, Preston added that if she's going to wear something on her face, it's darn well going to be pretty. "I went and got some jewels [adhesive gems for her scar strip]. I'm basically wearing what the kids wear to raves on my face," she said with a laugh.

How to prevent skin cancer

Basal cell carcinoma is highly preventable with smart sun protection, promises Dr. Rambhia. "Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, wearing hats and protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds are key. Even incidental sun exposure—like walking the dog or sitting by a window—adds up over time," she cautions. "If something new, changing or non-healing shows up on your skin, it's time to see a board-certified dermatologist," she adds. "Early detection can make a world of difference."

More inspiring celebrity health stories:

'Duck Dynasty' Matriarch Miss Kay Is Doing 'So Much Better' After Recent Health Struggles

Jamie Foxx Shares Update on His Health and Stroke Recovery in New Netflix Special

Jenna Fischer Encourages Mammograms After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'It Takes a Village to Fight Cancer'

Skin Cancer Peaks In Summer – So Why Is Early Detection Still An Afterthought?

Summer is the season of sun-drenched beaches, long outdoor afternoons and much-needed holidays. But it's also melanoma season, a time when skin cancer risk quietly surges while most people let their guard down.

As UV exposure intensifies, so does the risk of developing malignant skin lesions. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is directly linked to sunburns and overexposure to UV radiation. According to data from SkinVision, cases with a high risk of skin cancer, such as melanoma, are most commonly detected during the summer months. One reason is that we're simply seeing more of our skin.

Short sleeves, swimsuits and sunbathing make skin more visible, both to ourselves and to others, making it a time when early signs are more likely to be noticed. And yet many people let that moment slip by without taking action.

We pack sunscreen. We stay in the shade. We wear hats. But we rarely check our skin, and that may be one of the most significant missed opportunities in cancer prevention.

Seeing it doesn't always mean acting on it

Melanoma rates have risen by more than 30 per cent in the past decade in the UK, with forecasts predicting further increases by 2040. And while skin cancer is often associated with older adults, cases in young people, particularly women under 40, are climbing fast, largely driven by tanning culture, sporadic sunburns and limited awareness.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers – and one of the most detectable. The warning signs of melanoma are often visible: a mole that changes in shape, colour or size, or a new spot that doesn't look quite right.

When caught early, melanoma has a five-year survival rate of around 99 per cent. But that figure drops sharply – to around 75 per cent or lower – once the cancer has spread. Early diagnosis is not just beneficial, it's life-saving.

Yet too many people ignore skin changes until they become impossible to dismiss. And during summer, when changes may be easier to notice, distractions, travel and a sense of holiday relaxation mean that many warning signs go uninvestigated.

People delay appointments until they return from holiday. Or they tell themselves they'll deal with it in autumn. But that delay can be critical.

Summer's paradox: high risk, low action

There's an irony to how we treat summer. Our skin is exposed more than at any other time of year, but our healthcare routines are often paused.

Sunburn risk increases. UV radiation peaks. In some countries, people accumulate more sun exposure during two weeks abroad than in the rest of the year combined. And yet we often deprioritise health checks in favour of holiday plans.

What's more, UV damage is cumulative. Even if melanoma doesn't "start" in summer, years of exposure build risk. A mole that's changed this summer may be a sign of damage done long ago, but it's still a signal that needs to be checked.

Why early detection still gets left behind

Part of the problem is logistical. Seeing a dermatologist during the summer is often harder than usual. Clinics are understaffed. Appointments are delayed. Many people are abroad or traveling. And without a pressing reason, it's easy to put off a check-up until autumn, or later.

But it's also cultural. We're conditioned to treat skin changes as cosmetic, not clinical. A new freckle? Probably harmless. A mole that looks different? Maybe it's always been that way.

Unlike breast or prostate cancer, there's no widespread cultural routine for skin checks. No regular screening reminders. No strong public narrative around vigilance.

This mindset delays care. And while many people are vigilant with sunblock, they forget to follow up on what's already there: a mark, a mole, a spot that's changed.

Technology can close the gap

This is where digital tools such as SkinVision come in.

Rather than waiting weeks for an appointment, users can analyse a suspicious mole or spot on their skin and receive feedback immediately. The app uses clinically validated AI to assess whether the mark is low risk or may require follow-up. Behind the algorithm, a team of dermatologists provides oversight where needed.

This doesn't replace doctors, but it does provide a valuable first step. Especially during summer, when travel, limited clinic access and wait times can all discourage action.

Importantly, most assessments result in reassurance, helping users avoid unnecessary worry or appointments. But in the small percentage of high-risk cases, that quick feedback leads to timely medical care.

Expanding the summer health conversation

We already talk about protecting skin in summer. But protection is just one half of the story. Detection completes the loop.

It's not about replacing advice, it's about enhancing it:

Keep wearing sunscreen

Keep staying in the shade

But also check your skin

And if something seems off, don't wait.

Making skin checks part of the summer health checklist, just like hydration or UV alerts, can shift behaviour in small but powerful ways.

A moment we can't keep missing

Skin cancer doesn't develop overnight. It grows silently. But the signs are often right in front of us, and summer may be the only time we're looking.

Instead of missing that window, we should be seizing it.

Let this be the year that summer season becomes a moment for action, not just risk. A moment to combine sun protection with proactive skin checks. A moment to notice a mark, take a closer look and follow up, even while on holiday.

Because when it comes to skin cancer, early detection isn't just better. It's life-saving.

For more information, visit skinvision.Com.

---