Most people can remember a time they stayed in the sun a little too long. Maybe it was a day at the beach, an afternoon at a ballgame, working outside in the yard, or simply forgetting sunscreen while running errands. At the time, it feels temporary: a painful reminder to be more careful next time.

But skin has a long memory.

Years of repeated sun exposure can quietly leave lasting damage long after a sunburn fades. Sometimes that damage appears slowly: a spot that will not heal, a mole that begins to change, or a patch of skin that suddenly looks different than it did before.

That is why Skin Cancer Awareness Month, observed each May, matters. It is not only about reminding people to wear sunscreen; it is about helping people understand how common skin cancer is, what warning signs to look for, and why catching it early can make all the difference.

At UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine, physicians and researchers in the Department of Dermatology work every day to diagnose, treat, and educate patients about skin cancer and other diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails. With a long history in Texas medicine, it was the first Department of Dermatology established in the state. Faculty members provide expertise in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, cosmetic dermatology, and dermatologic surgery, including Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment.

Skin cancer develops when skin cells begin growing abnormally, most often after damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. While anyone can develop skin cancer, certain factors can increase risk, including excessive UV exposure, frequent sunburns, fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or a weakened immune system.

For many people, the danger is easy to underestimate because skin cancer does not always look alarming at first. A small spot or sore can seem harmless enough to ignore. In some cases, people may not notice changes until months later.

“While many people are aware of melanoma, which often presents as a very dark brown or black flat spot that grows in diameter over time, it is also important to raise awareness about non-melanoma skin cancers, which are much more common,” said Anthony W. Linfante, MD, FAAD, UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Dermatopathology. “These cancers often present as spots that repeatedly bleed, grow rapidly, or become painful over the course of months. The face is a particularly common location, though the hands, forearms, and shins are also frequently affected.”

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, often appears as a pearly bump, sore, or patch that does not heal properly. Squamous cell carcinoma may look like a scaly red patch or a wart-like growth. Melanoma, while less common, is considered the most dangerous because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not detected early.

One of the most important messages during Skin Cancer Awareness Month is simple: early detection saves lives.

Dermatologists often encourage patients to become familiar with their skin and pay attention to changes over time. A new mole, a spot that changes color or shape, a sore that will not heal, or a lesion that bleeds easily can all be warning signs worth checking.

The challenge is that many people do not think much about their skin unless something becomes painful or severe. Skin cancer can develop gradually, making it easier to dismiss subtle changes as minor irritation, aging, or dryness.

That is why regular skin checks matter. Becoming familiar with what is normal for your skin can help make unusual changes easier to recognize.

Many physicians recommend following the “ABCDE” warning signs for melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
• B – Border: irregular or poorly defined edges
• C – Color: multiple colors or uneven coloring
• D – Diameter: spots larger than about 6 millimeters (approximately ¼”)
• E – Evolving: changes in size, shape, or appearance

Routine skin checks, both at home and with a dermatologist, can help identify concerning changes before they become more serious.

Frank Winsett, MD, UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, discusses what patients can expect when meeting with a dermatologist for a suspicious skin area: “The first thing we do when a patient presents with a new or worrisome lesion is examine it with the naked eye and with a dermatoscope (a magnified and polarized light that allows us to see deeper into the skin),” he said. “If we are still unsure, we may perform confocal microscopy (a type of in vivo microscopy). If a lesion concerns us, we will perform a biopsy where we anesthetize the area with a small injection of lidocaine and take a small piece. This is done in our clinic, typically many times every day.”

When people think about sun protection, they often associate it with vacations, beach days, or summer activities. However, UV exposure also happens during ordinary moments people rarely think twice about: driving to work, walking the dog, sitting outdoors during lunch, or even sitting near a sunny window.

Those small moments add up.

While not every case of skin cancer can be prevented, many risks can be reduced through consistent sun protection habits, including:

• Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Reapplying sunscreen every 90 minutes when outdoors
• Seeking shade during peak sunlight hours
• Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses
• Avoiding indoor tanning beds

Importantly, sun protection is not just seasonal. UV rays can affect the skin year-round, even on cloudy days or during routine daily activities.

“Sun protection and daily sunscreen use are essential, as skin cancers are often caused by cumulative sun exposure from even just a few minutes of sunlight each day over many decades”, said Dr. Linfante. “Patients should bring any concerning lesions, especially non-healing or bleeding spots, to the attention of their primary care physician or dermatologist as early evaluation can significantly improve outcomes.”

Dermatologists also emphasize that skin cancer affects people of all skin tones. Although risk levels may vary, no one is completely immune from UV damage or skin cancer.

At UTMB, dermatology specialists treat a wide range of skin conditions, from common concerns to complex diseases and skin cancers affecting patients of all ages. The department also offers skin cancer surveillance, education, and advanced treatment options, including Mohs micrographic surgery, a highly precise technique commonly used to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

“Recent advances in dermatology have dramatically improved our ability to detect and treat skin cancer,” said Dr. Linfante. “Improved imaging technologies and dermoscopy allow for earlier, more accurate diagnosis, while targeted therapies and immunotherapy continue to expand treatment options for advanced disease. These advances highlight the critical importance of early detection, which gives patients the best opportunity for successful treatment.”

The department has pioneered the use of phototherapy and continues to combine patient care, education, and research as part of UTMB’s broader academic mission.

“In addition to confocal microscopy, we have recently incorporated mole mapping in our clinic,” said Dr. Winsett. “Mole mapping is a form of whole-body photography and dermoscopy that uses AI to generate a risk score for each lesion and can be done serially to monitor for any changes.”

Skin Cancer Awareness Month ultimately serves as a reminder that prevention often comes down to small, consistent choices. Applying sunscreen before leaving the house, wearing a hat outdoors, paying attention to a changing mole, or finally scheduling a skin exam are simple steps that can have a lasting impact over time.

It is also a reminder that dermatology is about far more than cosmetic concerns. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and changes on the skin can sometimes provide the earliest clues that something is wrong. Dr. Winsett added, “If anyone has a lesion they are concerned about or has any risk factors for skin cancer such as a history of extensive sun exposure, they should come in for a skin exam by a member of our team.”

As research continues and treatments evolve, physicians and students at UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine Department of Dermatology remain committed to advancing dermatologic care, educating future physicians, and helping patients better understand how to protect their health long before a serious diagnosis occurs.

Because when it comes to skin cancer, awareness is not just about information. It is about paying attention earlier, recognizing warning signs sooner, and understanding that something as routine as daily sun exposure can have lifelong effects. In many cases, those small moments of awareness can make all the difference.