Monday is the first day of summer and the longest day of sunshine. Dr. Tom McGovern is a dermatologist with Fort Wayne Dermatology Consultants Inc. who specializes in micrographic surgery
– microscopically controlled excision followed by facial reconstruction surgery to treat skin cancer. He spoke with editorial writer Stacey Stumpf about skin cancer symptoms
and prevention. Here are excerpts of the interview; listen to the entire interview by going to The Journal Gazette’s home page at www.journa1gazette.net. Click “opinion,” then click “5 Questions for Dr. Tom McGovern.”
1 What is the most common type of skin cancer you see?
The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. … It’s also the least aggressive form of skin cancer. Sixty to 70 percent of them are on the head and neck. …They can appear in a number of different ways. The most common looks like a pearly papule that you can see through that’s light purple clear or pink, most commonly on the face. In fact, 30 percent of all basal cell cancers are on the nose. A lot of people describe them as a little pimple that won’t heal.
The second most common type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. … The most severe of the three common ones (is) melanoma. … And the deeper those are, the more likely they are to spread and lead to significant disease or even death.
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2 What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
For basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the simplest rule I give people is if you have a non-healing sore that lasts for a month or more or you have something on your body that looks unlike anything else, that’s a good reason to come in.
With a melanoma, the quick and dirty answer is what we call the ugly ducking sign or I like to call the Sesame Street sign, which one of these things is not like the other. So, do you have especially a brown or black spot that looks different than any other spot on your body? Also, with melanoma, we talk about the ABCDE – A, is it asymmetrical?; B, is the border irregular, toothed or notched?; C, are the colors multiple, particularly red, white and blue with shades of brown and black?; D, is the diameter bigger than a pencil eraser, bigger than 6 millimeters?; E, is it evolving particularly getting bigger, darker, thicker? We usually stop making moles after age 35, so the development of what you think is a mole after that age might be significant.
3 How can someone tell the difference between a normal freckle or mole and something that could be a problem?
One estimate is that out of every 200,000 moles in the community only one is a melanoma. … In people who (have) numerous odd looking moles, I typically educate them on how to take digital photos of themselves and then have someone else or themselves compare the pictures every month to see if something new is coming up.
4 What’s your advice for choosing sunscreen?
Sunscreen isn’t the best way to prevent skin cancer. The best way is to limit your sun exposure. … Multiple studies done with sunscreens show that Americans put on half or less than half the thickness necessary to gain the number (SPF) on the bottle. … What I commonly use around my kids is a (SPF) 70 spray – you are getting something in the 20 to 25 range, and that is going to do well for most people. If they put it on too thin, they are still protected.
5 If someone has failed to heed your advice and gets a sunburn, what should they do to treat it?
Typically, cool compresses, an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, aspirin, whatever people like to take – not Tylenol, it’s not anti-inflammatory. Have a fan on you and stay out of the sun until you heal.
