Key TakeawaysDermatologists are concerned that delays in skin cancer diagnosis during the spring of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to advanced-stage melanoma and other skin cancer diagnoses later this year.If caught early, skin cancer is generally treatable—which is why screening is important.Telehealth is a great option for a routine dermatology assessment. However, if you need a biopsy, you may need to go into the office.

Key Takeaways

Dermatologists are concerned that delays in skin cancer diagnosis during the spring of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to advanced-stage melanoma and other skin cancer diagnoses later this year.If caught early, skin cancer is generally treatable—which is why screening is important.Telehealth is a great option for a routine dermatology assessment. However, if you need a biopsy, you may need to go into the office.

Experts are worried that the lack of access todermatologistsduring 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.

If diagnosed early, skin cancer is generally treatable. A diagnosis at a later stage impacts a person’s chances of survival.

1 in 5 Adults Delayed Medical Care Due To COVID-19, Study Finds

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.”

The Types of Skin Cancer

How You Can Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is highly preventable if you takeprecautions in the sunand practice proper skin care. The AAD says there are several steps that you can take to reduce your chances of getting skin cancer.

Remember that a tan is a sign that your skin has been injured.

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.

Pictures of What Skin Cancer Looks Like

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 skinself-exam:

If you notice new or suspiciousspots on your skinor spots that are growing, changing, itching, or bleeding, you should see a board-certified dermatologist for further assessment.

Telehealth Promotes Early Detection

When providers' offices closed in the spring of 2020, many healthcare providers turned totelehealthto 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.

Skin Cancer: Prevention and Early Detection

Telehealth in dermatology is also beneficial in other ways, such as:

When Telehealth Is Not Enough

Telehealth can be very convenient for minor skin issues, but it has limitations. Rigel says that you cannotperform a biopsyvirtually. 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.

What This Means For YouWhen detected early, skin cancer is generally treatable. However, with delays in screening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people might be getting a skin cancer diagnosis at a later stage of the disease, which can impact their chances of survival.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.

What This Means For You

When detected early, skin cancer is generally treatable. However, with delays in screening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people might be getting a skin cancer diagnosis at a later stage of the disease, which can impact their chances of survival.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.

When detected early, skin cancer is generally treatable. However, with delays in screening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people might be getting a skin cancer diagnosis at a later stage of the disease, which can impact their chances of survival.

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.

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 ourcoronavirus news page.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marson JW, Maner BS, Harding TP, Meisenheimer VII J, Solomon JA, Leavitt M, et al.The magnitude of COVID-19’s effects on the timely management of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2021;84(4):1100-1103. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.12.065American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Prevent skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Do you know how to spot skin cancer?.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Telemedicine overview.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marson JW, Maner BS, Harding TP, Meisenheimer VII J, Solomon JA, Leavitt M, et al.The magnitude of COVID-19’s effects on the timely management of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2021;84(4):1100-1103. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.12.065American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Prevent skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Do you know how to spot skin cancer?.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Telemedicine overview.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Marson JW, Maner BS, Harding TP, Meisenheimer VII J, Solomon JA, Leavitt M, et al.The magnitude of COVID-19’s effects on the timely management of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2021;84(4):1100-1103. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.12.065American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Prevent skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Do you know how to spot skin cancer?.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Telemedicine overview.

Marson JW, Maner BS, Harding TP, Meisenheimer VII J, Solomon JA, Leavitt M, et al.The magnitude of COVID-19’s effects on the timely management of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2021;84(4):1100-1103. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.12.065

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Prevent skin cancer.

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Do you know how to spot skin cancer?.

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Telemedicine overview.

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