Experts are worried that the lack of access to dermatologists during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed timely skin cancer diagnoses, which could lead to more late-stage diagnoses being made this year.
The Research
The study analyzed 4.7 million outpatient chart reviews from 143 dermatology practices in 13 different states from January 2019 to August 2020. The results showed that the largest decrease in skin cancer diagnosis was during the month of April—the first COVID-19 peak in the U.S.
“The decrease in skin cancer diagnosis’ during the first COVID-19 peak is problematic because catching skin cancer early is key,” Darrell S. Rigel, MD, MS, FAAD, study author and clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center, tells Verywell. “A two-month delay can make a big difference. It means [a] surgery will be bigger, the scare will be bigger, and there is a 50% chance of melanoma spreading if it is not caught quickly.”
How You Can Prevent Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is highly preventable if you take precautions in the sun and practice proper skin care. The AAD says there are several steps that you can take to reduce your chances of getting skin cancer.
Seek shade when you’re out in the sun (especially when the sun’s rays are strongest—typically between 10 a. m. and 2 p. m. ) Wear clothes that protect your skin from the sun Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outside (even if it’s cloudy) Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand (these conditions make it more likely you’ll get a sunburn because the surfaces reflect the sun’s damaging rays) If you want the look of a tan, go for self-tanning products rather than using a tanning bed, and keep wearing sunscreen
Perform Regular Skin Checks
Everyone is at risk for skin cancer. According to the ADA, one in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
The good news is skin cancer is typically treatable if it’s caught early. What’s more, it’s also a type of cancer that you can take steps to prevent.
One of the best things that you can do is perform routine skin checks on yourself—especially if you are not able to easily see a board-certified dermatologist. The AAD outlines five key steps to perform a skin self-exam:
Use a full-length mirror to examine the skin on your whole body Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms Look at your legs, between toes, and the soles of your feet Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp Use a hand mirror to examine your back and buttocks
Telehealth Promotes Early Detection
When providers’ offices closed in the spring of 2020, many healthcare providers turned to telehealth to continue caring for patients, including many dermatology offices.
According to the AAD, telehealth can be beneficial in the dermatology setting. Patients can have a video or phone conference with the dermatologist, send information via email, or use a patient portal to communicate with providers.
Telehealth in dermatology is also beneficial in other ways, such as:
Patients can see a board-certified dermatologist even when they can’t leave their home or they live in a remote area. A dermatologist can examine a patient’s skin, hair, or nail problem through video or photos. If a dermatologist thinks a spot could be a potential melanoma, needs to be tested, or should be removed, they can ask a patient to come to the office for an in-person appointment. Patients can have treatment for a chronic skin condition, like psoriasis or eczema, maintained. Patients can be prescribed medication for a skin condition, if necessary. Patients can receive dermatologic care when it’s convenient. Through telemedicine, some patients can communicate back and forth with their dermatologist electronically, meaning they do not necessarily have to be available at the same time.
When Telehealth Is Not Enough
Telehealth can be very convenient for minor skin issues, but it has limitations. Rigel says that you cannot perform a biopsy virtually. If a spot or skin condition is deemed suspicious, a patient will likely need to come to the office for more testing to make a conclusive diagnosis.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
There are steps you can take to prevent skin cancer, such as covering up when you’re in the sun, using sunscreen, and performing regular checks if your skin at home. If you are worried about any abnormalities you find, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist.
You might be able to have an initial assessment via telehealth. If a biopsy is needed, you will likely need to go to the office.
