Understanding Skin Cancer Prevention
- Former tennis professional Andy Roddick, who has 32 career titles in his beloved sport and announced his retirement back in 2012, has spent a lot of time in the sun while playing his beloved sport—and we’re delighted he’s decided to speak out about his brush with squamous cell carcinoma to raise skin cancer awareness,
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), basal cell carcinomas (BCC), and melanoma are the three most common types. People who spend much time in the sun unprotected or use tanning beds are most at risk for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
- As for the type of skin cancer Roddick had, squamous cell carcinoma, is a type of skin cancer that arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the squamous cells. These cells are located in the outer layers of the skin and also line various organs and tracts within the body.
- You should check your body for unusual spots or moles at least once a month. Any new spots or changes in size or color demand your attention.
- Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, avoiding tanning beds, and avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours (10 am—2 pm) can help reduce your risk.
Roddick, who has 32 career titles in his beloved sport and announced his retirement back in 2012, certainly has spent a lot of time in the sun as his sport requires him to be outside most of the time—and we’re delighted he’s decided to speak out about his brush with squamous cell carcinoma to raise skin cancer awareness.
Read MoreProtect your body, it takes you everywhere ☀️ pic.twitter.com/SrP1II6o0a
— Served with Andy Roddick (@Served_Podcast) May 9, 2024
In the podcast footage, shared on Roddick’s social media, the tennis star known for winning the 2003 US Open, showed off his face and how he had irritation/redness on his cheeks and forehead.
Roddick, also known for reaching the finals at Wimbledon in 2004, 2005, 2009, and the U.S. Open in 2006, explained further, “I haven’t ever talked about it. This morning we went into this face laser thing that’s why for those of you watching on YouTube it looks like I got in a fight.”
“It stinks. I think I’m going to be a general kind of like hatchet job for the rest of my life. Won’t go into the ‘woe was me’ part of it, because nothing is wrong, everything is good but … use sunscreen.
“Put sunscreen on your kids. Especially if they are tennis players. You know, the problem won’t present itself when the kid is 8, but it might present itself when that kid is grown and is 38.”
Expert Resources On Skin Cancer
- 3 Skin Cancer Myths, Busted: Can One Bad Sun Burn Cause Cancer?
- Can I Get Skin Cancer On My Genitals Even Though They’ve NEVER Seen The Sun?
- Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Your Sunscreen? Lab Asks the FDA to Recall 78 Sunscreen Products Over Cancer Risk – Focus on Ingredients Not Brands
- Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma: Mohs Surgery Removes This Skin Cancer With Smaller Incisions and More Certainty
- A 17% Decreased Risk of Skin Cancer Just By Eating More Cantaloupes, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes
Referring to the redness on his face, which is visible to anyone watching the podcast video, added, “It looks like I got in a fight from the skin treatments that that I got today.
“Greener pastures ahead, and I made it a habit to get checked time after time after time and, knock on wood, we are all good.”
Roddick’s skin cancer news inspired others to open up about their skin cancer protection habits, with one fan of the tennis guru commenting on his Instagram page, “Great information to get out there – I’m in the same boat. Regular check-ups with a dermatologist should be normalized and promoted.”
Another fan of Roddick wrote with gratitude, “Thank you Andy for emphasizing the importance of using sunscreen. Especially men think their skin is immune to the UV rays.
“I hope your skin cancer issue is mild and youll be over with it soon. Your commentary is always unique, informative , honest and delightful. Thank you again!”
View this post on Instagram
Roddick’s wife Decker took to social media to share the “friendly reminder” to take care of your skin.
She shared video clip of Roddick’s recent podcast episode on her Instagram story, writing, “He’s A-ok, but friendly reminder!
(You should’ve seen his face an hour after this was filmed- he got a laser treatment thing on Monday right before he recorded this and wow.)”
Understanding Roddick’s Skin Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer that is caused by exposure to UV light. The Centers for Disease and Prevention Control says, “Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds or sunlamps,” damaging skin cells.
The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
In melanoma skin cancer cases, it is more likely to impact nearby tissue and spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Melanoma also causes the most skin cancer deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute.
As for the type of skin cancer Roddick had, squamous cell carcinoma, is a type of skin cancer that arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the squamous cells. These cells are located in the outer layers of the skin and also line various organs and tracts within the body.
This cancer typically develops in areas of the body that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. However, it can also appear in less exposed areas, including the inside of the mouth, the soles of the feet, and the genital region. It’s important to note that SCC can affect individuals regardless of their sun exposure habits.
While SCC is generally not life-threatening, it can be aggressive in certain cases. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious health complications.
Following a diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), a range of treatment options are available. The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the size and location of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health.
Surgery is often the primary treatment for SCC, especially for localized tumors. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s size and location.
Other forms of treatment may include, radiation therapy, topical treatments, systemic therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), cryosurgery, and clinical trials.
Each of these treatments is chosen based on the individual patient’s situation, including the size, location, and aggressiveness of the SCC, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences. It’s important to have a detailed discussion with your healthcare team to understand which treatment or combination of treatments is best suited for your specific case of SCC.
Tips to Protect Your Skin from Skin Cancer
As much as many of us enjoy spending lots of time in the sun during the spring and summer, we must remember that the sun can harm us. For most people, there are simple ways to significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
We asked dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman to provide the top five ways to protect your skin from cancer. Most of her recommendations are simple to follow and could save your life.
- Avoid the sun during peak hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are outside during those hours, Protect yourself from harmful sun rays.
- Cover your skin and eyes. A wide-brim hat and sunglasses will protect your face, the top of your head, your ears, and the delicate skin around your eyes.
- Wear an SPF of 30 or higher. Dr. Engelman also recommends reapplying every few hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
- Get an annual skin check. You can check your skin for anything that looks out of the ordinary, but you should still get a yearly check to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you notice anything out of the ordinary between checks, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor.
- Avoid tanning beds. If you feel like you’re just too pale, Dr. Engelman recommends a sunless tanner. “There’s absolutely no benefit to going to a tanning bed,” Dr. Engelman said.
How to Spot Skin Cancer
You should check your body for any unusual spots or moles on your skin at least once a month. Any new spots on your skin or changes in size or color demand your attention.
WATCH: Get Your Moles Evaluated to Rule Out Melanoma.
Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Though these marks are unlikely to be cancerous, you’ll want to keep an eye on them and inform your doctor about any changes you notice.
Melanoma is most likely to develop on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, it might also develop in places that have never been exposed to the sun, such as the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, your eyes or mouth, or under your nails.
SurvivorNet experts describe melanoma symptoms as:
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Color that spreads from the border of a spot to the skin around it
- Redness or swelling that goes beyond the area of a mole
- Itchiness, tenderness, or pain
- A change in the way the surface of a mole looks
- Scaliness, oozing, or blood
Treatment for Some Forms of Skin Cancer
Mohs surgery is a microscopically controlled surgery where thin layers of skin cancer tissue are removed until the surgeon reaches clear tissue. Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for some common skin cancers.
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a microscopically controlled procedure that removes skin cancer by conservatively cutting along the entire margin until the surgeon reaches clear tissue. It’s commonly used to remove other skin cancers like basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
During the procedure, your doctor will numb the area with anesthesia and remove the tumor using a scalpel. You’ll be asked to wait while they analyze layers of the removed sample under a microscope. The procedure is done one layer at a time, examining each layer for cancer cells before removing the next layer.
This process continues until all cancer cells are removed from the area. Once the surgery is complete, your doctor will cover the area with a bandage. Stitches may also be required.
WATCH: Understanding Mohs surgery procedure.
While Mohs surgery isn’t as common with melanoma as it is with other skin cancers, it may be the best option for some patients. Talk to your doctor about whether Mohs surgery is right for you. Most providers offer coverage if you are worried about insurance covering the procedure.
“Most surgery is covered by most insurance,” Dr. Jesse Lewin, System Chief of the Division of Dermatologic & Cosmetic Surgery at Mount Sinai, tells SurvivorNet. “Even though the reconstruction is done cosmetically sensitively, it’s not a cosmetic procedure.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.
- What type of skin cancer do I have?What treatment options exist for this type of cancer?
- Will insurance cover this treatment?
- Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense to me?
- What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?
WATCH: Choosing the right sunscreen.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
