While skin cancer most commonly occurs in areas of sun-exposed skin, such as the neck and arms, it can also develop in unexpected places.If you’ve ever had your skin checked by a dermatologist, you know the drill: Get ready for a survey that focuses on body parts you never even think about, much less expose to the sun.
Sometimes, this more invasive form of cancer can be brought on by intensive UV exposure, but inherited and acquired genetic mutations and weakened immune systems are also thought to contribute. And unlike its slow-growing counterparts, melanomas can spread, forming new tumors in other parts of the body as the aggressive cancer passes through the lymphatic system and bloodstream.
The long list of counterintuitive skin cancer sites might feel alarming, but Charles says that between sharp-eyed friends and lovers and trained dermatologists, it’s surprisingly easy to spot most skin cancers.