Your skin

The medications used to help protect your transplant also reduce your body’s immune response. As a result, risk for skin cancer is significantly increased following transplantation. In fact, as many as 40% of transplant recipients may develop skin cancer within 20 years of receiving their new organs. Those who have fair skin, have a family history of cancer, or live in sunny climates are at an even higher risk.

Simple steps to protect your skin

• Wear a “broad-spectrum,” sweat-proof, waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater—every day, even on cloudy or rainy days
• Apply sunscreen liberally to your entire body daily—the back of your neck, tops of ears, hands, and any other area exposed to light
• Apply sunscreen often when enjoying outdoor summer and winter sports—remember, the sun’s rays become more intense when reflected by water or snow
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, and a hat
• Avoid going outside between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the harmful rays of the sun are most intense

The ABCD’s of melanoma (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter)

Warning signs of skin cancer can be summed up by the ABCD's of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variability, and Diameter. Here’s what you should look for:

Asymmetry

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

Look and see if the lesion looks asymmetrical. If you were to draw a line through the middle, each half would not match.

Border

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

Check if the borders of the lesion are uneven (irregular) or have notched edges. This can be an indicator of melanoma.

Color

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

Most moles are brownish in color. As melanoma progresses, white, blue, and/or red splotches may appear.

Diameter

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

Most cancerous moles tend to be larger than the size of a pencil eraser; however, some can be smaller.

Remember, the information provided here is for educational purposes only. Only a doctor or dermatologist can properly diagnose skin cancer lesions. You may want to consider having a dermatologist evaluate any moles that you have and schedule annual re-checks to make sure everything is okay. Any worrisome skin lesions should be evaluated by your doctor or a dermatologist immediately.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

This is the most common type of skin cancer in transplant recipients. This type of skin cancer appears as a crusted or scaly area of the skin that is red at the base. It may also appear as an open sore that won’t heal. Squamous cell carcinomas can occur anywhere on the body; however, they generally appear in sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, arms, scalp, hands, and ears.

Basal cell carcinoma

Photography used by permission, courtesy American Academy of Dermatology

This is the most common skin cancer worldwide, and the second most common type of skin cancer in transplant recipients. Basal cell carcinoma most often appears as a dome-shaped, shiny or red bump. It can also appear as a pimple-like growth. Commonly, it is described as a sore that bleeds, then heals, only to reappear again. Basal cell carcinomas generally appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, chest, back, and legs.