Research out of the American Cancer Society suggests112,000 new melanoma cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2026. That staggering number may come as a surprise, but even more surprisingly, melanoma in men will make up a significant portion of these new cases. According to Dr. Daniel Condie, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon at U.S. Dermatology Partners, “Men are often diagnosed with skin cancer, particularly melanoma, at later stages than women. This may be due to a combination of factors, including lower rates of routine skin examinations, delayed evaluation of concerning lesions, and greater cumulative sun exposure over time. Unfortunately, later-stage diagnosis is associated with more serious health consequences. The good news is that when skin cancer is detected early, treatment is highly effective, which is why regular skin checks and prompt evaluation of changing spots are so important.” In this blog, Dr. Condie discusses why skin cancer in men is often diagnosed in later stages and how early diagnosis and intervention saves lives.
Why Is Skin Cancer Often Diagnosed Later in Men?
There are many reasons why skin cancer in men gets diagnosed in more advanced stages, including the fact that men are significantly less likely to:
- Perform self-exams – regular skin cancer self-checks are essential to recognize potentially risky changes in skin early. When skin is examined carefully at regular intervals, even subtle changes can be noted and examined by a professional.
- Make preventive dermatology appointments – in addition to performing self-exams, the second-best way to ensure early skin cancer diagnosis is to visit a dermatologist once a year for a professional exam.
- Avoid seeking care – men are much more likely to put off seeking a diagnosis or treatment. They may assume the spot is nothing to worry about, think symptoms will go away on their own, put other priorities over their health, or don’t know what symptoms to look for.
When it comes to later stage diagnosis, Dr. Condie says, “In addition to these factors that are within men’s control, difficulty monitoring common skin cancer sites also contributes significantly to last stage skin cancer diagnosis in men. Skin cancer is more likely to develop on the scalp, ears, neck, and back in men. These areas are difficult to see without assistance, so new or changing lesions often go unnoticed until later stages. In the advanced stages, treating skin cancer requires more invasive treatments, including larger excisions, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and other targeted cancer treatments.”
Why Are Men at Higher Risk for Skin Cancer?
When it comes to men’s skin health risks, greater numbers of skin cancer diagnoses aren’t too surprising, especially since men tend to:
- Have greater amounts of sun exposure – men are more likely than women to have hobbies and work that take place outdoors. This leads to a greater amount of cumulative sun damage.
- Apply sunscreen less often – men are much less likely to apply sunscreen daily or even when they are outdoors for long periods.
- Aging population – older men with significant cumulative UV exposure are at particularly high risk for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.
- Genetics – those with fair skin, numerous moles, or a family history of skin cancer are much more likely to be diagnosed.
Skin Cancer Signs Every Man Should Know
Dr. Condie says, “One of the factors that increases skin cancer risk for men is that they are less aware of basic skin cancer signs and symptoms. I keep it simple for my patients. Any new or changing mole or lesion should be examined by a professional.” Some of the key skin cancer warning signs every man should know include:
- New spots – if a new mole, lesion, or bump appears on skin without explanation, have it looked at.
- Evolving lesions – if an existing mole or lesion changes size, shape, color, height, or texture, get it evaluated.
- Sores that aren’t healing – basal and squamous cell carcinomas in the earliest stages often look like sores that aren’t healing, including scabbing, bleeding, and crusting skin.
- Rough patches – rough, thickened patches of skin that don’t soften or heal may indicate something more serious.
- Persistent irritation – redness, inflammation, or itch that doesn’t improve with appropriate care may be indicative of skin cancer.
- The ABCDEs of melanoma – the early signs of melanoma are often referred to as the ABCDEs:
- Asymmetry – a lesion that is different on one side than the other.
- Border – uneven or jagged edges.
- Color – the lesion varies in color or is a different color than similar spots.
- Diameter – any spots larger than 6 millimeters.
- Evolving – any changes in a spot.
How Skin Cancer May Appear Differently in Men
Dr. Condie cautions, “Another reason men often receive later stage diagnosis is that skin cancer can develop differently in men compared to women. During an annual skin cancer screening, I help patients understand what patterns to look for that can be early indicators of skin cancer, so they can start differentiating between expected skin changes and things they should be concerned about.” Specifically, men should be vigilant about symptoms that develop in certain areas, including the:
- Back – one of the most common areas for melanoma to develop in men. It’s difficult to see the back, so skin cancer is often diagnosed later.
- Chest – this is an extremely common place for all types of skin cancer to develop.
- Scalp – men often have less hair to protect their scalp than women, making it more difficult to protect from sun damage. However, the hair they do have can hide new or changing lesions, making it difficult to diagnose this condition in early stages.
- Neck – this part of the body receives substantial sun damage, and it is a common place for skin cancer to develop in men and women.
- Ears – even men who do take the time to put on sunscreen often neglect the ears, which end up receiving significant UV exposure, increasing risk for skin cancer.
The Importance of Regular Skin Exams
Regular skin exams, both at home and with a dermatologist, can help detect skin cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. The frequency of professional skin exams should be determined based on your individual risk factors and your dermatologist’s recommendations. According to Dr. X, “I often tell patients that they are their first line of defense against skin cancer. Regular self-exams help people recognize changes in their skin and seek evaluation sooner. Professional skin exams are an important part of early detection, but awareness starts at home.” Regular skin exams are emphasized because they:
- Improve outcomes – skin cancer is much more likely to be successfully treated with early detection and diagnosis. Specifically, melanoma has a 99% five-year survival rate when detected early.
- Identify hidden concerns – dermatologists can recognize even the subtlest signs of skin cancer that aren’t obvious to patients.
When to Get a Skin Exam
For those men wondering when to get a skin exam, Dr. Condie recommends:
- Low risk – seeing a dermatologist once a year is sufficient for most adults.
- Moderate risk – higher risk individuals with a personal or family history of skin cancer or numerous moles should consider more frequent visits. A dermatologist may recommend two a year.
- Significant risk – those with larger or changing moles, advanced sun damage, or outdoor occupations should consider more frequent visits as directed by their dermatologist.
- Concern detected – schedule a professional exam immediately after detecting a new or changing spot.
Sun Protection Habits That Help Reduce Risk
While not all types of skin cancer can be prevented, sun damage significantly increases risk for developing all types of skin cancer, so developing good sun protection habits can reduce this risk. Some important sun safety steps include:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen – this protects form both UVA rays (sun on cloudy days, through windows, and otherwise indirect that leads to accelerated aging) and UVB rays (sun on hot summer days that leads to sunburns).
- Use SPF 30 or higher – sun protection factor (SPF) indicates how much protection sunblock offers. A higher-level SPF indicates greater protection.
- Wear sun protection clothing – generally wearing long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses can make a difference. Clothes that have added ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) offer even greater protection.
- Avoid peak UV hours – 10 am to 4 pm is when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest, so seek shade regularly when outdoors and limit sun exposure during these times.
- Skip tanning beds – indoor tanning exposes skin to high levels of concentrated UV radiation that significantly increases skin cancer risk. There is no such thing as safe tanning.
- Use sunscreen every day – even if it’s raining, cold, cloudy, or you’re inside most of the day, sun exposure still happens. Practice good sun protection all year.
Early Detection Is Essential for Effective Skin Cancer Treatment
In summary, Dr. Condie says, “Early detection is the greatest advantage we have against skin cancer. While men may tend to receive diagnosis and treatment in later stages, regular self-exams, improved sun protection practices, and professional screenings can make a huge difference.”
Schedule an Annual Professional Skin Exam
If you’ve noticed a new spot you’re worried about or want to schedule an annual skin exam, don’t hesitate to reach out to the knowledgeable dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners. Our board-certified dermatologists are here to help you understand your skin cancer risks, address skin concerns, and how important early detection and treatment are. Get started by filling out our short online scheduling request. A team member will be in touch soon to finalize details.
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