More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. The most dangerous skin cancer is melanoma, which if left untreated or caught late, often spreads to other organs. Service Members are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than civilians mostly due to increased sun exposure, as most military exercises and deployments are held in outdoor settings.
The most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, fall within the broader category of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Nonmelanoma is twice as common in Service Members compared to the general population, and melanoma is the most common non-sex-specific cancer among active-duty military personnel. Military aviators also have a higher risk of developing skin cancer compared to their non-aviation counterparts. The good news is that skin cancer is highly treatable if caught and treated early.
Warning signs
Experts recommend you check your skin for concerning spots, lesions, moles, bumps, or other signs of skin cancer every 1–2 months. Know what to look for when you’re doing a skin self-exam. Skin spots or moles suspicious for skin cancer may change quickly, feel or appear unusual compared to other growths on your body, or heal poorly.
Basal cell carcinoma typically appears as a shiny bump with small blood vessels but can look like a rash that doesn’t go away or a scar that forms without any prior injury.
Squamous cell carcinoma is usually a thickened growth with flaky skin or scales.
Precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) look like scaly spots on your arms, face, or skin that’s regularly exposed to sunlight.
For people with darker skin tones, some nonmelanoma skin cancers can appear darker in color, although this is more commonly seen in melanomas.
In addition to dark coloration, moles with changes in color, size, or shape might be a sign of melanoma. To help you remember these features, you can follow the ABCDEF rule.
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color variation
- Darkness
- Evolving (changing shape or color)
- Funny-looking (“ugly duckling” sign)
While the location of skin cancer can vary, nonmelanoma skin cancer—especially squamous cell carcinoma—appears most often on the face, ears, hands, arms, and other areas that are often exposed to the sun. Melanomas also can be found on the leg, back, and other areas that aren’t often exposed to sunlight. In people with darker skin tones, skin cancer occurs more often at sites of chronic trauma and inflammation, such as burn scars or chemical exposure, as well as on the hands and feet. While skin cancer is less common in those with darker skin, patients are often diagnosed at a later stage, increasing the risk of more severe complications and making the illness harder to treat.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancers diagnosed in Service Members. While practicing sun safety is important to reduce your risk, regular skin checks and early detection is key to effective treatment. If you find new or suspicious skin moles or lesions, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.