Every year more than 5 million people develop skin cancer, and many of them are over the age of 65. It’s National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and you, your senior loved ones and their elder care providers should know what the symptoms of skin care are. Seniors should always take steps to prevent skin cancer like wearing sunscreen every time they go outside and wearing hats if they’re going to be in the sun. Protecting their skin can help seniors lower their risk of skin cancer.
There are four primary types of skin cancer that can impact seniors:
- * Basal cell carcinoma
- * Melanoma
- * Nonmelanoma skin cancer
- * Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
Each type can cause different types of moles or lesions. So if you or an elder care provider notice that your senior parent has any of these signs of skin cancer you should get your senior loved one checked out by a doctor right away:
New Moles
Anytime new moles or lesions develop anywhere on your senior parent’s body they should get checked by a doctor. Even scaly red patches that look like they are just dry skin should be examined by a doctor if they pop up suddenly, especially if they are on the hands or face which get exposed to the sun frequently.
Moles or Lesions That Change Shape Or Color That an Elder Care Aide Notices
If your senior parent has moles or lesions that have changed shape or suddenly change color your loved one should see a dermatologist to find out why the moles or lesions are changing. It’s very helpful to have an elder care provider who helps your senior loved one get dressed keep an eye on existing moles or lesions. Often an elder care provider is the first one to notice something that could potentially be a serious health issue since they are the ones who are in close contact with your senior parent daily.
Moles or Lesions That Suddenly Grow
If your senior loved one has moles or lesions that suddenly start growing when they have remained the same size for a long time that’s also an indication that has something has changed and it could be that your loved one is in the early stages of skin cancer. Seeing a doctor right away will either confirm that your loved one has skin cancer so that they can begin treatment or rule out skin cancer and find another reason for the sudden growth.
New Moles or Lesions When There Is A History of Skin Cancer
If your loved one has had skin cancer in the past and develops new moles or lesions those new growths or lesions need to be looked at it and possibly biopsied by a doctor to make sure that the skin cancer hasn’t returned. It’s always better to be safe instead of sorry and get any changes in your senior parent’s skin checked out before those changes lead to the development of skin cancer or another serious medical condition.
Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/articles/older-adults-protect-skin-sun.htm