Carol Helton once proudly described herself as the “queen of getting out and laying out, getting a tan.” Growing up in a different era, she and her friends eagerly sought the sun, often without any sun protection. That changed dramatically when a long-standing mole on her left arm, which her nurse daughter urged her to have checked, began bleeding. The diagnosis was melanoma, and Dr. Jeff Sutton removed the mole along with a large section of surrounding tissue. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread beyond that.
Now 58 years old and a hairdresser, Helton has become devoted to using sunscreen and regularly urges her clients, friends, and neighbors to do the same. However, she notes that the type of sunscreen matters since some products provide surprisingly weak protection, a fact highlighted in an annual review. Since the 1970s, skin cancer rates have been rising rapidly, though recent data suggest some stabilization among people under 50. In contrast, older patients—many of whom, like Helton, did not use sun protection when they were younger—have seen steadily increasing rates, especially older women, according to the American Cancer Society.
As Memorial Day prompts many Americans to head outdoors or to the beach, experts emphasize that sun protection should be an everyday priority, particularly in sun-soaked areas like South Carolina. Dr. Sutton, a surgical oncologist at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, explained that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. However, the number of less deadly types, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, is not well documented because they are not always reported to cancer registries. Estimates suggest there are more than five million cases annually.
Melanoma accounts for only about one percent of skin cancers but causes the majority of deaths. This year, the American Cancer Society estimated 104,960 new melanoma cases and 8,430 deaths in the country. While men traditionally had higher rates due to more outdoor work and sun exposure, their melanoma rates have stabilized or even decreased recently. Conversely, melanoma cases in older women are increasing by approximately three percent each year. Sutton attributes the rise among women partly to their pursuit of a tanned look, noting that women have historically used tanning beds more often and tend to sunbathe outdoors more frequently.
Reflecting on her youth, Helton recalled that sun protection options were virtually nonexistent. “We didn’t have sunblock. We’d lay out with iodine and baby oil. The better the burn, the better you’re going to get a tan,” she said. Sutton highlighted that repeated sunburns, particularly blistering ones, are a strong risk factor for melanoma. People with fair skin, light hair, a family history of skin cancer, and a tendency to burn easily are especially at risk.
Sutton stressed that daily sun protection should be a habit for everyone, especially in sunny regions like Charleston. He mentioned that many moisturizers and lip balms now include sunscreen with at least SPF 15, making it easier to protect oneself. However, a recent report from the Environmental Working Group revealed that 77 percent of the over 2,000 sunscreens they reviewed offered poor protection or contained potentially harmful ingredients like oxybenzone, which may disrupt hormones. On a positive note, more sunscreens now feature zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, mineral ingredients recognized as safe and effective.
Helton advises her friends and family to use sunscreens containing zinc oxide and leads by example by wearing sunscreen, UV-protective clothing, and a sun hat. She also warns about the importance of monitoring moles, as they can pose melanoma risks. Sutton shared the American Academy of Dermatology’s ABCDE checklist for spotting potentially dangerous moles: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter larger than 6 millimeters, and evolving size or shape.
Helton’s mole was about the size of a dime and caught her daughter’s attention for its suspicious appearance. Despite initial denial, when the mole grew taller and began bleeding, Helton finally sought medical evaluation. Her experience now serves others. For example, while cutting the hair of a client named Gil, she noticed a concerning spot on his ear. Though he initially refused to get it checked, Helton, along with his family, persisted. Eventually, she showed Gil a photo of her grandsons on her phone and explained, “This is why I went.” That convinced him, and although his cancer was not melanoma, he was thankful for the diagnosis and treatment.
Helton sees her mission clearly now. She believes her cancer experience was meant to help others because she can notice things others might miss. Whenever she spots something suspicious, she urges people to get it checked out.
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