Who's at Risk of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Memphis Dermatologist

George Woodbury
5 days ago
4 min read

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (05/26/2025)

Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury acts also as a Dermatologic Surgeon — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury Jr. in his Cordova Office

Skin Cancer is a growing U.S. health problem, with over 190,000 Americans being diagnosed with a type of Skin Cancer called Melanoma this year, and about 8290 fatalities. These numbers are also growing, particularly in people above the age of 50.

The most common location for Melanoma Skin Cancer in men is on their backs — Dermatologist doing a Skin Cancer Screening

The good news is that if Skin Cancer including Melanoma is detected early, it is often very treatable by a minor outpatient procedure. Dermatologists like myself frequently take a specimen of skin for what’s called a biopsy, and if this biopsy test confirms Skin Cancer, the lesion can frequently be removed by a relatively minor outpatient treatment by a Dermatologic Surgeon with a local anesthetic shot. Unfortunately, if detected late, Skin Cancer and Melanoma can compromise one’s health and well-being.

Melanoma exhibiting various Colors and an irregular Border — Melanoma type of Skin Cancer

So let’s take a look at who’s at risk of Skin Cancer and Melanoma. The real question is who’s at high risk, because the reality is that everyone is at risk of Skin Cancer and Melanoma, from people with fair skin that tend to burn and peel in the sun, to people with very dark skin, who tend to tan in the sun.

Board-certified Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury doing a Skin Cancer Screening — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woobury doing a Skin Cancer Screening

High risk people for Skin Cancer and Melanoma include:

People with a history of one or more than one blistering sunburn.

People who have tanned indoors – because Ultraviolet light bulbs emit a concentrated form of UV that is really dangerous.

People who have worked in the sun or played in the sun: golfers, skiers, runners, people who like to sail, construction workers, lifeguards.

People with red or blond hair. People with blue eyes.

People with Northern European descent – like the Scottish/Irish, or Scandinavians.

Melanoma exhbiting dark Color and an irregular Border — Man with a Melanoma or Malignant Melanoma on his forehead

A good first move if you or a family member is at high risk is to come in regularly for a Skin Cancer Screening check with a Board-certified Dermatologist, an especially high priority for people with skin lesions that could be cancerous or could become cancerous. The most common type of Skin Cancer is Basal Cell Carcinoma, followed in frequency by Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma.

Bsaal Cell Carcinoma is also called Basal Cell Skin Cancer — Basal Cell Carcinoma on a person's forehead

You could also check your skin overall at least once a month – perhaps with the help of a mirror – remembering that Melanoma and Skin Cancer are most common in sun-exposed parts of the body, like the back, face, and scalp, but they can also develop in sun-protected areas, like the groin, the scalp, and behind the ears. Perhaps if it’s the first day of the month, it’s a great day for you to get undressed and check yourself out – and perhaps all of your family members!

The most common location for Melanoma in women is on the legs — Scarlet Akins was 26 years old when she was diagnosed with Melanoma

For more details on Melanoma, check out a short movie that my own Memphis Dermatology practice sponsored for Youtube: “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story,’ which tells the story of Scarlet Akins, who developed Melanoma when 26 years old and seven months pregnant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSB-5pTahQ.

What is Melanoma? It’s helpful to get to Know the A, B, C, D, E warning signs for Skin Cancer, also called the ABCDE melanoma warning signs. These are rules of thumb for recognizing significant lesions or growths, first described by Dr. Al Kopf and Dr. Darrell Rigel of New York University’s Department of Dermatology:

A stands for Asymmetry: one half of the lesion does not match the other half.

B stands for Border: a jagged border, perhaps like the coast of Maine, rather than of Florida.

C stands for Color change: different hues of brown or black within the lesion, or one mole that’s a darker color than the person’s other moles.

D stands for an increasing Diameter of the lesion.

E stands for Evolving: if the lesion is changing, it’s best to bring it to the attention of a Dermatologist.

A Dermatologist is a doctor of the Skin, the Hair, and the Nails — Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury discussing Skin Cancer with a patient

I practice as a Memphis Dermatologist with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, in Cordova, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, (www.Rheumderm.com; 1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a “Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologist Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, www.AAD.org. Then simply plug your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist tab.” Because early detection definitely saves lives.

Big River Silk Skincare manufactures and distributes exfoliating moisturizer with Glycolic Acid — Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

In 2016, I became the President of a company called Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). We manufacture and distribute steroid-free exfoliating moisturizer creams –GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion and GlycoShea Facial&Neck L otion– as well as a gentle moisturizer HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion. Check Big River Silk Skincare out at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com.

Glycolic Acid is the antiwrinkle cream ingredient in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion — Glycolic Acid and Shea Butter are the active agents in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion

The products of Big River Silk Skincare can be purchased on site at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 – Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM – or on the web: https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com. USPS shipping and handling for U.S. orders is $7.50 for orders under $75.00, otherwise complimentary shipping and handling.