My Cancer Scare: A Personal Story & Skin Cancer Risk Guide

When you’re waiting to learn whether or not you have cancer, it’s fairly easy to assume the worst. Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer – and there’s no escaping the many factors that leave us at an increased risk of developing the chronic disease. The risk is in the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe and the rays of sun that kiss our face in the mornings.

More than two million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer – the most common type of cancer – and over 626,000 are projected to die from it this year alone, according to the American Cancer Society.

These statistics underscore the significant chance of developing skin cancer. For one woman, Julia Musto, the anxiety surrounding a potential diagnosis was particularly acute as she awaited biopsy results last December.

Musto, a journalist with The Independent, shared her experience, detailing the emotional weight of uncertainty and the practical considerations that arose while awaiting results. The team at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center had expressed concern about a mole on her left cheek, prompting a biopsy.

The possibility of a melanoma diagnosis – the deadliest form of skin cancer, projected to affect an estimated 112,000 people this year – loomed large. Musto described feeling more tired than usual, though attributing it to a single cause was difficult. This wasn’t her first experience with cellular abnormalities, having previously encountered unusual cells in her cervix.

In anticipation of a potential diagnosis, Musto began making lifestyle changes, including eliminating alcohol, focusing on a whole-foods diet, increasing her water intake, and prioritizing sleep. While acknowledging these changes wouldn’t reverse a cancer diagnosis, she hoped they would support her overall health during potential treatment.

Fortunately, the biopsy results were not conclusive for melanoma, but revealed cells with features that could potentially develop into it. Her doctor recommended monitoring the area and follow-up appointments, offering a measure of relief, though not complete reassurance.

Musto’s experience highlights the importance of vigilance regarding skin changes. An estimated 46,600 women will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2026, and approximately 8,510 people are anticipated to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. While melanoma rates are declining slightly among men under 50, they remain stable in women.

Several factors contribute to this disparity. Women have higher levels of estrogen, which stimulates melanin production. They also tend to use tanning beds more frequently than men and are more likely to undergo skin cancer screenings.

Risk factors extend beyond gender. Having red hair and fair skin significantly increases susceptibility, though all skin types are vulnerable to the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A family history of melanoma, and even having had an organ transplant, can also elevate risk.

Organ transplant recipients face a particularly heightened risk – up to 100 times greater than the general population – due to the immunosuppressant medications they take to prevent organ rejection, as noted by UCSF Health.

The source of UV radiation is also critical. While both sunlight and tanning beds emit harmful rays, tanning beds are considerably more dangerous, delivering approximately 12 times the radiation of the sun and increasing the risk of melanoma by 75 percent, according to UnityPoint Health.

Even brief sun exposure can cause damage. Hartford Healthcare reports that it takes only 15 minutes for skin to sustain damage from the sun’s UV rays, and the risk increases with age. The average age at melanoma diagnosis is 66, and approximately 20 percent of Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.

Early detection is paramount. When skin cancer is identified early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. Individuals should conduct monthly self-exams, looking for moles or growths that have changed in size, color (tan, brown, black, or multicolored), or texture, or that are open sores that don’t heal within three weeks. Itching, crusting, scabbing, pain, or bleeding are also warning signs.

It’s important to check all areas of the body, including under nails and in areas not typically exposed to the sun. As Dr. Laura Makaroff, Senior Vice President of Prevention and Early Detection at the American Cancer Society, emphasizes, “We encourage everyone to make skin self-exams a regular habit including checking your skin regularly and talking with your doctor about any persistent changes. Catching changes early can make all the difference.”