Everything To Know About Men And Melanoma

The tendency to overlook self-care often leads us to neglect our skin. As the season draws people outdoors for various activities like sports, and vacations, lurking beneath the radiant sun’s rays lies a significant threat, particularly for men: skin cancer, specifically melanoma. The American Cancer Society reports that this year alone, there will be over 97,000 newly diagnosed cases of melanoma, with 58,120 affecting men and 39,490 affecting women.

Nearly 8,000 people are said to lose their lives to melanoma, with men being the majority, accounting for about 5,500.

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“Men are more likely to develop skin cancer, in fact twice as likely, to develop melanoma over time because of several different reasons, whether that’s related to the type of job that they do because men tend to work outdoors more often,” says Ben Guth, a nurse practitioner for OSF HealthCare. “It can be education-related, where they aren’t taught what to look for when it comes to signs and symptoms of skin cancer.”

Guth added, “And finally, they just don’t use sunscreen when they go outside, which is very protective when it comes to sunburns and developing skin cancer in the future.” Research suggests women’s skin has a better ability to recover from sun damage compared to men’s as they have thicker skin, making them more susceptible to UV damage and increasing their risk of melanoma.

However, the good news is early detection of melanoma improves the chances of effective treatment. But then, some skin cancers remain asymptomatic until they reach advanced stages. This emphasizes the need to prioritize skin care. “I think you need to have a well-rounded approach when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun and that education comes, one, from primary care providers and dermatologists.”

Guth continued, “We educate on the importance of sunscreen, applying it every two hours, especially when outside. The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends using at least an SPF of 30 and that being a broad spectrum and even water-resistant, depending on the type of work or activity you’re doing outside.” The practitioner urged the application of sunscreen around the neck, ears, and on top of the scalp, especially for men who are balding.

Guth further stated, “There several other options if you don’t like sunscreen or the greasy feel on your skin – wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, especially those that block sun, wearing a big hat, whether that’s a baseball cap or a wide-brimmed hat with sunglasses,” says Guth. “And you can also find areas of shade or protection from the sun especially during those high times where the sun is most strong, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.”

“If you have a dermatologist, it’s good to have annual skin checks especially if you’ve had lesions in the past or had skin cancer in the past and had them removed,” says Guth. “Outside of that men should just be talking with their provider about their concerns.” He concluded that if something doesn’t look or feel right, it’s best to speak to a dermatologist and remember to always pack your sunscreen, even on those cloudy days.