Skin Cancer Prevention

This means applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB radiation, as well as infrared radiation, blue light and visible light, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Sunscreen should be reapplied frequently and used every day of the year, even on cloudy days.

Dermatologists repeatedly emphasise that the skin has memory and that the consequences of skin cancer often appear decades after cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For this reason, protecting children from sun damage is essential to reduce their future risk of skin cancer.

In general terms, infants under six months of age should not be exposed to the sun under any circumstances. From that age onwards, sun exposure should be very limited and always accompanied by protective clothing, sunglasses, hats or caps, as well as sunscreen on uncovered areas. During beach or pool activities, children should remain in shaded areas whenever possible. Older children should use highly resistant, age-appropriate sunscreens that must be reapplied frequently, in addition to wearing sunglasses, hats and/or UV-protective clothing when exposed to the sun, particularly at the beach, swimming pool or at sea.

Sunburn causes irreversible DNA damage in skin cells. Experiencing multiple sunburns during childhood and adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood. In this regard, it is important to stress that there is no such thing as a “healthy tan”: as soon as the skin turns red, it has already begun to burn.

Examine your skin once a month, paying attention to the appearance of new moles or changes in existing ones, as well as wounds or small ulcers that do not heal properly. Use mirrors or ask for help from another person to examine less accessible areas of the body. Pay particular attention to lesions that are dark brown, black or bluish in colour. Any suspicious change should be assessed by a dermatologist, as these transformations may be early warning signs of skin cancer.

This mnemonic rule helps identify features that may indicate a malignant skin lesion and warrant dermatological assessment.

A – Asymmetry

A mole in which one half does not match the other is suggestive of melanoma.

B – Border

Irregular, poorly defined or uneven borders should raise suspicion.

C – Colour

Most moles are brown to varying degrees, although some may be red, blue or black. Lesions that become very pale, pinkish or even white should be assessed by a dermatologist.

D – Diameter

Although not definitive on its own, moles larger than 6 millimetres require closer observation.

E – Evolution

This is the most important criterion. Any recent change in size, shape, colour, texture or symptoms such as itching, bleeding, oozing or pain should prompt medical evaluation. Evolution refers to any lesion that becomes noticeably different from others on the body or from its previous appearance.

Because interpreting the ABCDE rule can be challenging, dermatologists often recommend looking for the so-called “ugly duckling”: a mole that clearly looks different from the rest or from the surrounding skin.

Any lesion that appears unusual or stands out from others should be examined by a dermatologist, even if it does not strictly meet the ABCDE criteria.

Although skin self-examination is an important first step, many patients do not examine their skin thoroughly enough to detect warning signs. In addition, these signs may be subtle and easily overlooked.

Some areas of the body are also difficult to examine without assistance. While the arms, hands, face and chest are relatively easy to inspect, this is not the case for the scalp, neck or back.

The Grupo Pedro Jaén Skin Cancer Unit has been a pioneer in implementing systematic mole monitoring to facilitate early detection of skin cancer and to provide the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

Given the association between the number and size of moles and melanoma risk, our specialists recommend an annual dermatological examination. This includes a comprehensive assessment of the entire skin surface, including less visible areas such as the scalp, soles of the feet, spaces between fingers and toes, and the axillae.

Spring is generally considered the most suitable time for mole assessment, as the skin is not tanned and lesions retain their natural appearance, making changes easier to detect. During summer, tanning and increased pigmentation can obscure subtle alterations.

However, if any suspicious change is noticed, a dermatology appointment should be scheduled regardless of the time of year.

Ideally, periodic examinations allow for the creation of a personal record of moles, making it possible to monitor the appearance of new lesions, disappearance of others, and any changes over time. In this context, full-body mapping technology, available at our centre, is particularly valuable.

This advanced system captures high-resolution images and generates a complete body map of moles and pigmented lesions, enabling precise monitoring over time and earlier, more accurate detection of clinically significant changes.

Full-body mapping is currently one of the most accurate technologies for detecting skin cancer, particularly melanoma at its earliest stages. Early detection is directly linked to tumour behaviour and patient survival in melanoma, which, although less common than other skin cancers, is significantly more aggressive and potentially life-threatening.

Grupo Pedro Jaén is currently the only centre in Spain equipped with this technology. The system captures images of the entire skin surface in just two seconds and processes them in three dimensions, providing an exceptionally detailed analysis of every mole or skin lesion within minutes.

The full-body mapping system we use (Vectra® 360) allows rapid, non-invasive examination of the entire skin surface, including areas that may be overlooked during self-examination or are difficult to assess in a standard consultation, such as the groin, axillae, and certain areas of the neck or scalp.

In addition, this technology enables the creation of a personalised dermatological map that records the evolution of moles and skin lesions over time. This makes it easier for specialists to identify suspicious changes quickly and accurately, allowing prompt diagnosis and early treatment.

Confocal microscopy represents a major breakthrough in the diagnosis and follow-up of skin lesions. This technology—developed with the active involvement of Dr Salvador González, a member of the Grupo Pedro Jaén team and one of the most internationally recognised skin cancer specialists—offers diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of a conventional biopsy, without the need to remove tissue.

This technique does not require contrast injection, radiation exposure or any invasive procedure. As a result, it significantly reduces the number of traditional biopsies required, providing both physical and emotional benefits for patients. On a physical level, confocal microscopy avoids pain, discomfort and scarring—particularly important when lesions are located on the face or other highly visible areas. On an emotional level, it reduces the anxiety associated with waiting for biopsy results.

The advantages of confocal microscopy extend beyond diagnosis. It is also a valuable tool for monitoring the response to treatment in skin cancer, including non-invasive therapies such as photodynamic therapy, as well as cryotherapy and surgical procedures. This allows specialists to confirm treatment effectiveness or adjust therapeutic strategies when necessary.

Cutaneous ultrasound plays an increasingly important role in the comprehensive management of skin cancer, particularly in the diagnosis and precise delineation of certain tumours. It is especially useful for lesions that extend deeper into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, where clinical examination alone may be insufficient.

High-resolution ultrasound provides detailed information about the lesion, including its true size, morphology and depth. This information is essential for assessing tumour behaviour and complements other diagnostic techniques.

In addition, ultrasound helps identify potential involvement of relevant anatomical structures such as blood vessels or nerve endings, which is crucial when planning surgical treatment. This contributes to more accurate and safer preoperative planning, maximising preservation of healthy tissue and optimising oncological, functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Taken together, cutaneous ultrasound has become a highly valuable tool in the integrated management of skin cancer, supporting more informed clinical decision-making and a more personalised approach for each patient.

The introduction of digital dermoscopy marked a major advance in skin cancer diagnosis, particularly melanoma. This non-invasive technique allows highly magnified imaging of moles, revealing not only surface features but also deeper structural patterns with exceptional detail. Digital dermoscopy is complementary to 3D Total Body Photography (Vectra®) and enables digital monitoring of individual lesions over time.

The technique uses a dermatoscope—a device that combines magnification with specialised lighting to transilluminate the skin and produce high-resolution images. The Vectra® system incorporates the VEOS® dermatoscope, currently considered one of the most precise devices available.

Images captured during each visit are stored and compared over time, allowing accurate assessment of lesion evolution. Digital dermoscopy is quick, painless and completely safe. Its high diagnostic accuracy significantly facilitates early detection of malignant transformation, enabling simpler and more effective surgical treatment when needed. At the same time, it helps avoid unnecessary removal of atypical-looking but benign moles, reducing overtreatment and improving patient care.

The content of this page has been prepared by the Communication Department and the Medical Team of Grupo Pedro Jaén, in line with our editorial commitment to ensuring the accuracy and up-to-date nature of the information provided.

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