This four-part series on skin cancer and melanoma awareness is presented by Mitchell Hanson and Daniel Belkin MD in partnership with celebrity esthetician Ian Michael Crumm, the 2025 #GetNaked spokesperson for the Melanoma Research Foundation. Featuring expert insights from board-certified dermatologists, each article is designed to educate, empower, and inspire our community to prioritize skin health through prevention, early detection, and routine skin checks. Join Ian and the MRF in spreading the message: protect your skin, know the signs, and don’t wait to #GetNaked for your skin exam.
As we think about how we show who we are within the LGBTQ+ community, especially with Pride Month coming up, our skin is a big part of our identity. That’s why it’s important to take care of it! Things like how much sun we get, what we eat, and using sunscreen can help keep our skin healthy and lower the chance of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and while it can often be treated, it can leave scars—especially on the head and neck. Studies show that gay men have a higher chance of getting skin cancer, so it’s important to know the risks, especially if you love spending time in the sun.
How common is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. The American Academy of Dermatology says that 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their life. One of the most serious types is melanoma. Experts think that in 2025, about 212,200 new cases will be found, and the number has been going up for the last 30 years. Other common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Melanoma causes the most deaths, but if doctors catch it before it spreads, almost everyone survives! However, for people with darker skin, melanoma is often found later, which can make it harder to treat. That’s why knowing what to look for is so important—you might even spot skin cancer before a doctor does!
What does skin cancer look like?
Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer that starts in the cells that give skin its color. In men, it usually shows up on the back, while in women, it’s often on the legs. In people with darker skin, it may appear on the soles of the feet or under the nails. Melanoma can look like a mole that starts to change or a new dark spot that has:
- An uneven shape
- Jagged edges
- More than one color
- Grown bigger
- Appeared in an unusual place
A good trick is to follow the “ugly duckling” rule—if one spot looks very different from your other moles, get it checked!
Other skin cancers include:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): This type grows slowly and often looks like a shiny pink bump with little red lines. It might bleed or scab in the middle. While it usually doesn’t spread, it can get bigger and leave scars if not removed.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This kind grows faster than BCC and has a small chance of spreading. It looks like a rough, scaly, or bleeding red patch, usually on areas that get a lot of sun, like the face and hands. It can also appear in the mouth or anus due to HPV (a common virus).
Whether you have found something suspicious, or aren’t sure – consult your derm! While doctors can be terrifying places for countless people for a plethora of reasons, many are willing, able and pushing to make your care accessible and affirming. When asked on the matter of affirming care, Dr. Belkin said, “I see patients of all gender expressions and I don’t think I find gender expression relevant for most visits including skin checks. When I do find it relevant, such as during certain aesthetic treatments, if I am unsure, I ask.”
Why does this matter to us?
Studies show that some groups in the LGBTQ+ community have a higher risk of skin cancer:
- Gay and bisexual men are more likely to get skin cancer and use tanning beds than straight men.
- Transgender and nonbinary people also have a higher risk.
- Hispanic, Black, and LGBTQ+ people, in general, have higher rates of skin cancer than their straight and cisgender counterparts.
On the matter of why you should be aware, Dr. Belkin elaborated, saying “This population not only has higher rates of skin cancers but can also sometimes face barriers to healthcare access due to discrimination or discomfort. This is not a good combo for outcomes, so we have room to work on it.” He emphasizes the need for treatment, care and accessibility to all people, but especially those at higher risk for discrimination.
Some of the reasons for this include indoor tanning, not using sunscreen, and choices around self-expression and body image. Protecting your skin doesn’t mean hiding it—it means taking care of it so you can keep being yourself for years to come!
Dr. Belkin also presented to why skin cancer can affect someone’s sense of self identity, saying, “As a Mohs (skin cancer) surgeon, I’m often addressing concerns about facial scarring with patients. Scars can make a huge impact on the way people perceive themselves and how they believe others see them. It may feel like a loss of agency over identity and expression. There are so many ways we can make scars difficult to see (surgical techniques, laser treatments), but of course prevention is always better.” He ensured to again highlight the ideals around comfort in the care you are provided, while still being able to prioritize your own health.
Pride and suncare
All in all, skin care is important! With summer approaching and Pride Month celebrations everywhere – especially outside – make sure you’re protecting and checking yourself regularly.
Dr. Belkin was asked if he thinks Pride celebrations should include more messaging around sun protection and skin health, and said, “Sure! Pride events are a great opportunity for targeted outreach so that LGBTQ people feel both empowered to adopt healthy habits and also safe in accessing medical care.” And we couldn’t agree more!
