Share this on:Copied!

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Regardless of age, gender, or race, all solid organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of skin cancer compared to the general population. This is due to the immunosuppressive medications taken to protect transplanted organs.

Skin cancer is the most common post-transplant malignancy in solid organ transplant recipients. For example, about 65% of kidney transplant recipients get skin cancer.

So, it’s critical to partner with your transplant team and a dermatologist as part of your post-transplant care. They can help you assess your risk factors and manage any skin cancers that develop.

The good news is that you can decrease your risk of skin cancer and detect skin cancers early with some simple protective steps.

How Can Transplant Recipients Lower Their Risk of Skin Cancer?

To protect yourself, health care professionals recommend the following:

Plan your outdoor activities

After organ transplantation, doctors encourage you to participate actively, including outdoors.

People usually think about sun protection when it’s warm and sunny and they’re planning on spending a long time outside.

Even when it’s not sunny or you don’t spend an extended period outside, you’ll still expose yourself to the sun’s rays.

Try to limit outdoor activities during the middle of the day. The sun’s rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If possible, avoid staying outside or find shade when the sun is high in the sky.

Use sunscreen as recommended

Sunscreen recommendations include the following:

• Wear sunscreen all year round and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or greater.
• Cover the arms, legs, neck, face, and any exposed body area.
• Apply about 1 ounce (about a shot glass or palmful) to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face.
• Purchase a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
• Reapply sunscreen about every two hours, and after you’ve been swimming or sweating.
• Check the expiration date on sunscreen. If there’s no expiration date, mark the purchase date on the container. Most are good for at least three years. You may want to shake the bottle to remix the ingredients.

The most commonly missed areas include:

• Your ears.
• The sides of your face.
• The tops of your feet.
• The front and back of your neck.
• Your scalp or hairline (especially on receding hairlines, bald spots, hair parts, or if you have a buzz cut).

Wear protective clothing

When outdoors, cover your skin with protective clothing. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing keeps your body cool while protecting your skin. Clothes with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40+ provide excellent coverage, blocking more than 97% of UV rays.

If you can’t wear long-sleeved shirts, wear a shirt that covers your back and shoulders. Whenever possible, wear long pants to protect your legs from the sun.

Ideal hats have at least a 2-to-3-inch brim all around. These protect the back of your neck, ears, and face.

Sunglasses are important to protect your eyes from the sun. Get a pair that protects your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.

What Are the Types of Skin Cancer?

Organ transplant recipients are at a higher risk for various types of skin cancer. The most common include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — This is the most common skin cancer among transplant patients. It often appears as red, scaly patches or sores that may crust or bleed. SCC can grow quickly and may spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) — BCC is the most common skin cancer in the general population. It usually looks like a pearly or waxy bump, often on sun-exposed areas like the face and neck. Though BCC rarely spreads, it can cause significant local damage if left untreated.
• Melanoma — Though melanoma is less common, it’s the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It can develop in or near existing moles and may appear as a new dark spot on the skin. Early detection is crucial because melanoma can spread rapidly.
• Merkel cell carcinoma — This rare but aggressive skin cancer often appears as a painless, firm, red or violet nodule on sun-exposed skin. It’s more common in older adults and those with weakened immune systems, including transplant recipients.

Do Immunosuppressive Medications Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer?

After a transplant, patients take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organ. Though these medications are essential, they also reduce the body’s ability to detect and fight off cancer cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Some immunosuppressants, like azathioprine, can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, further elevating the risk.

How Often Should I Visit a Dermatologist?

Regular checkups with a dermatologist are vital for early skin cancer detection and treatment. Transplant patients should have a full-body skin exam at least once a year. Those with a history of skin cancer or significant sun damage may need more frequent visits.

How Can I Check Myself for Signs of Skin Cancer?

In addition to professional screenings, monthly self-examinations can help detect early signs of skin cancer. Here’s how:

• Check all areas — Examine your entire body, including under your nails, between your fingers and toes, and behind your ears.
• Look for changes — Stay alert for new growths, spots that change in size, shape, or color, and sores that don’t heal.
• Use mirrors — Stand in front of a full-length mirror and use a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas like your back, scalp, and the soles of your feet.

Should Transplant Recipients Be Worried About Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a significant concern for organ transplant recipients due to the necessary use of immunosuppressive medications. However, proactive measures like regular dermatology visits, monthly self-examinations, and diligent sun protection can significantly reduce your risk.

Partnering closely with your health care team ensures the best strategies are in place to protect your skin and overall health.