For many men, sunscreen can be treated as an afterthought. It gets tossed in a beach bag for vacation, borrowed during a family trip, or forgotten entirely during long days outside. Annual skin checks? These are often pushed to the bottom of the priority list. And conversations about skin care or sun protection are frequently cited as something that matters more to women.
But the numbers tell a different story.
When it comes to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, men are at significantly higher risk than women, particularly as they age. In fact, current estimates from the American Cancer Society project more than 65,000 new melanoma cases in men in the United States this year, compared to just over 46,000 cases in women. Men are also far more likely to die from melanoma than women.
That disparity raises an important question: Why are men still less likely to prioritize sun protection and skin health?
As June marks National Men’s Health Month, there is no better time to challenge the idea that preventative health care is optional. Skin cancer awareness is not just a summer reminder. For many men, it can be lifesaving.
The Silent Gap in Men’s Skin Health
There are several reasons melanoma impacts men differently than women, and many of them have more to do than with biology alone.
Research suggests men are less likely to wear sunscreen consistently, seek preventative medical care, or notice early warning signs on their skin. Many men also spend years working outdoors or participating in activities with high UV exposure without adequate sun protection.
Unlike a sudden injury or illness, sun damage develops gradually. A blistering sunburn from years ago, repeated exposure while golfing or fishing, or decades spent mowing lawns can quietly accumulate beneath the surface of the skin. By the time a suspicious spot becomes noticeable, the damage may have already been occurring for years.
What makes melanoma especially dangerous is how quickly it can spread if left untreated. Although melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancers overall, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths.
The encouraging news is that melanoma is highly treatable when detected early. Survival rates for early-stage melanoma exceed 99 percent. And that is why awareness and early detection matter so much.
Why Men Often Miss the Warning Signs
One challenge with melanoma is that it does not always appear in obvious places. Men commonly develop melanoma on the back, chest, scalp, neck, and shoulders, which are areas that are harder to monitor without help from a spouse or dermatologist.
And unlike women, who are often more accustomed to skin care routines and regular self-examinations, many men simply are not looking closely at their skin on a regular basis.
There is also a cultural factor at play. Preventative health habits are sometimes viewed as unnecessary unless symptoms become severe. Many men are taught to push through discomfort, ignore warning signs, or delay appointments until something feels urgent. Unfortunately, skin cancer does not wait for convenience.
Melanoma can begin as a small mole or subtle discoloration that seems harmless. A spot may itch occasionally, bleed slightly, or slowly change shape over time. These small changes are easy to overlook during busy daily life. That is why routine skin checks are so important even when nothing appears “wrong.”
Sun Protection Is Health Care
One of the biggest misconceptions about sunscreen is that it is primarily cosmetic. In reality, sunscreen is preventative health care.
Daily UV exposure affects everyone, not just people at the beach. Driving, outdoor work, sports, fishing trips, yard work, and even short periods of midday sun exposure contribute to cumulative skin damage over time. And contrary to popular belief, sunscreen is not just for fair skin or sunny vacation days.
The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that regular daily use of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen can reduce melanoma risk by 50 percent.
Simple habits can make a major difference, including:
- Wearing broad-spectrum SPF daily (we recommend at SPF 30 or higher)
- Reapplying sunscreen every two hours outdoors
- Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing
- Seeking shade during peak UV hours
- Avoiding tanning beds
- Scheduling annual skin exams
- Paying attention to new or changing spots on the skin
None of these steps are particularly complicated, but they do require consistency.
A New Strength Through Prevention
National Men’s Health Month offers an opportunity to rethink what health and strength really look like.
- Strength is not ignoring symptoms or delaying care.
- Strength is paying attention to your body before a problem becomes serious.
- Strength is making preventative health a priority, not just for yourself, but for the people who depend on you.
For fathers, grandfathers, husbands, brothers, sons, and friends, taking care of your skin is part of taking care of your future. A quick skin check or routine dermatology appointment may not feel urgent right now, but it has the potential to catch something early when treatment is simplest and outcomes are best.
A Reminder This June
Men’s Health Month is about recognizing the areas of health that are often overlooked including skin health.
Skin cancer does not discriminate based on occupation, age, or lifestyle. But statistics continue to show that men face higher risks, higher mortality rates, and often later diagnoses.
The good news is that awareness and prevention save lives. This June, encourage the men in your life to schedule that skin exam, wear the sunscreen, and stop ignoring suspicious spots. Whether it is a father who spends weekends fishing, a husband working outdoors, or a friend who never thinks twice about sun exposure, sun protection and cancer prevention matter!
To schedule a professional skin exam or to learn more about men’s skin health, contact Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers at (855) FLD-SKIN.
About Us
FLDSCC’s team of providers are experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancers; skin conditions and diseases such as eczema, rosacea, dry skin, acne, rashes, and warts; and chronic skin diseases and infections, while simultaneously tackling aging skin, wound care, and a multitude of other skin, hair, and nail concerns.
Several FLDSCC providers are fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, an effective state-of-the-art treatment for most types of skin cancers. Mohs surgery involves minimal discomfort and encourages the greatest preservation of healthy tissue, which means less risk of scarring and superior cosmetic results.
FLDSCC has many convenient locations throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fldscc.com, or call (855) FLD-SKIN.
