While Ken says he is not as fair as the typical redhead or blonde, he admits his light skin still gains him admission into the higher-risk group when it comes to sun exposure, something he has learned after numerous visits to the dermatologist in recent years. These days, he adds, he is scheduled for a skin screening three times a year, every four months.
“My doctor, Dr. Mahoney, gives a very thorough examination. He looks everywhere, and he finds things that an individual would hardly ever notice, little tiny things, which he sometimes has to freeze or remove.”
Fortunately for Ken, the doctor was paying his usual close attention during a recent visit, when the area of concern involved a red-brown blotch on the left side of his chest, up near the shoulder. “It was fairly subtle, but about two and half inches wide. I told him that it had just appeared about two weeks before and wasn’t going away,” he recalls. “Dr. Mahoney tested it, and it was a melanoma.”
Careful examination
For Matthew H. Mahoney, MD, an experienced dermatologist and founder of Mahoney Dermatology Specialists in Largo, one of the most important gifts he can give his patients is an awareness of what to look for when checking over their own skin. That awareness, he notes, can truly make the difference between a healthy or harrowing outcome.
“Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer,” the doctor shares, “but if you catch it very early, there is almost a one hundred percent, five-year cure rate. If you catch it in stage three or four, however, that number can be twenty percent, five years out, which is miserable.”
In addition to the devastating nature of melanoma, Dr. Mahoney adds, there are some compelling statistics and emerging research results that suggest that regular skin screenings are more crucial than ever. “The incidence of melanoma is increasing, with the number of new cases per year estimated at 62,480,” he says. “In addition, the most rapid increase in incidence is in men over the age of sixty-five, though we don’t know exactly why. It may be that excessive sun exposure and infrequent or inappropriate application of sunscreen are habits that are finally catching up with people.”
Another interesting development, the doctor shares, is a recent study that suggests a link between melanoma and breast cancer. “That doesn’t mean that everyone who has had breast cancer will have melanoma or that everyone who has had melanoma is more likely to have breast cancer, but I think close follow-up in either case is important.”
In terms of a genetic connection, Dr. Mahoney informs, it is crucial for people to understand that, if a patient has a direct family member – meaning a parent, sibling, or child – with malignant melanoma, the melanoma risk for that patient increases by 50 percent. “That fifty percent doesn’t mean that a person’s chance of getting melanoma goes up to ninety percent, but there is a well-documented increase if a first-degree relative has had a melanoma.”
As with all forms of skin cancer, the doctor confirms that the fair-skinned, fair-eyed, fair-haired people are at the highest risk, as well as people with a family or personal history. Blistering sunburns in early childhood, cumulative sun exposure for those who work in the sun – roofers, construction workers, and lifeguards, for example – and indoor tanning all represent additional risk factors for skin cancer, he notes. And people with weakened immune systems or those who have had an organ transplant or have undergone chemotherapy need to be particularly careful in the sun as well, according to Dr. Mahoney.
“I know we dermatologists sound like broken records, but our goal is to have people know what to do and what to look for when it comes to skin cancer. That’s always the underlying theme.”
Early detection
After his own close call with melanoma, Ken is completely healed and doing well. In addition to a tiny scar on his chest, he says that he emerged with a new perspective as well. “I always said, Skin cancer…that’s no big deal…you have it and they take it off and that’s the end of that ,” he admits. “Well, how wrong was I about that ? Melanomas can be terrifically serious, and I’m just glad that I saw Dr. Mahoney, he came to the proper conclusion, and I’m here to talk about it today.”
A dedicated golfer, although he is still out in the sun three times a week, Ken notes that he does take precautions when he plays. “I always wear a hat, and I do use sunscreen,” he says.
Another action Ken is quick to take is that of asking people whether or not they see a dermatologist and, if not, to recommend Dr. Mahoney. “I say, Look, I’ve got this great guy, and it’s a little bit of a drive for me because he’s in Largo and I’m in the middle of St. Petersburg, so it takes me a half hour to get there, but it’s well worth the drive .
“I’ve sent a number of people to him,” he continues. “One friend of mine is a red-haired guy, fair-skinned, and he’s been to a lot of dermatologists. His reaction to Dr. Mahoney was, Wow, he uses a magnifying glass. He’s not going to miss anything.”
All in all, Ken feels that he and his skin are receiving exactly the kind of care they need. “Dr. Mahoney is a terrific fellow. He’s likable, he’s thorough, and he takes his time. I just really like him.”