Yes, You Can Get Skin Cancer on Your Scalp

A thick, luscious head of hair doesn’t completely protect the skin of your scalp from skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer can develop wherever the light touches. And research shows that skin cancer, in general, is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. So, the more you go outside without protection, the more you may run the risk of developing skin cancer in the future — even on your head.

Dermatologist Noreen Mohsin, MD, explains how skin cancer can form on your scalp and ways you can try to prevent it.

What does skin cancer on your scalp look like?

People who are light-skinned or bald are more prone to getting skin cancer on their scalp, but anyone can get it.

“Hair only provides partial protection against UV [ultraviolet] radiation, and cancer develops because of several factors,” says Dr. Mohsin.

Your risk for skin cancer on your scalp goes up depending on:

• How much UV exposure you’ve had in your life
• How well your immune system is working
• If you have other genetic predispositions

“We tend to see it in people who spend a lot of time outdoors in the summers and have been doing so for 50 or 60 years without a hat,” she adds.

In general, there are three common types of skin cancer you can get on your scalp.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s most common on the head and neck, and about 13% of all basal cell carcinomas develop on the scalp. This kind of cancer is often less noticeable than other types. It can appear on your scalp as:

• Flat, but slightly raised lumps that slowly grow over time
• See-through pink or red scaly lesions
• Painful or itchy lumps

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. Research shows that up to 20% of all squamous cell carcinomas are on the scalp.

“Squamous cell carcinomas are the ones that tend to rise up and be painful or bleed a lot,” notes Dr. Mohsin. “We often hear that people will find bumps that bleed while they’re at the barber or that their hair stylist will point these spots out to them while they’re getting their hair cut.”

Melanoma

Melanoma of the scalp accounts for nearly 20% of all melanomas and carries one of the highest mortality rates when found on the scalp. They’re often easily overlooked and can appear as:

• Flat moles
• Raised bumps
• Open sores
• Scaly patches

What should you do if you find a questionable spot?

You should have your scalp checked by a dermatologist if you find a lump or patch that’s:

• Painful
• Bleeding
• Changing size, shape, height or color

Dr. Mohsin says another way to think about it is to follow the ABCDEs of skin cancer:

• Asymmetry: Does one side look different from the other?
• Border: Are the edges uneven or blurred?
• Color: Does it have multiple colors or shades?
• Diameter: Is it larger than a pencil eraser?
• Evolving: Is it new or changing in any way?

“If you notice any of these symptoms on your scalp, or if the spot is troubling you, make an appointment with a healthcare provider,” advises Dr. Mohsin. “We definitely recommend an evaluation if it’s bleeding, itchy or painful for more than a few days.”

Protecting your scalp against skin cancer

If you’re worried about getting skin cancer on your scalp, there are things you can do to reduce your risk or improve your chances of catching it early:

• Get yearly skin checks. Starting at the age of 18, annual skin checks can help catch melanomas and other cancers at earlier stages, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer.
• Reduce sun exposure. Wear hats, use broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid tanning beds.
• Bring any concerns you have to your doctor. If you have concerns or questions, or just need a second opinion, lean on trusted health experts for a diagnosis.

“By relying on sun protection, being aware of new developments and raising concerns to a healthcare provider, you can potentially catch skin cancer early before it becomes a greater risk to your health,” encourages Dr. Mohsin.