Margaritaville Singer Jimmy Buffett died as a result of merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, diagnosed in less than three thousand people in the U-S every year. LSU School of Medicine Oncologist Dr. Brian Boulmay says the disease develops on areas of the body that are regularly exposed to natural or artificial sources of light.
“The more you’re out in the sun without wearing sunscreen. The more likely you are to develop a skin cancer. So if you’re prone to burning when you go in the sun, if you’re fairer skin, you’re certainly at a higher risk of developing skin cancer of any kind.”
MCC tumors show up on the forearm, neck, face, and lower legs. It quickly spreads to the lymph nodes first and then to the liver, bones, lungs, and brain. Boulmay suggests contacting your physician if you see a mole, freckle, or bump that is changing in size, shape, or color.
“The lesion of a Merkel cell tumor is typically flesh-colored. Or it could be sort of a blueish color. If you have any concerning spots, it’s always a good idea to see if it needs to be biopsied.”
Men are twice as likely to develop this cancer than women. About 90 percent of the people who have it are White, and about 80 percent are 70 and older. Boulmay says early detection is key but you can protect yourself.
“If you’re one of those people who have a tendency to not tan and you go out in the sun and get red for even a short period of time, you really should consider wearing sunscreen. It’s very reasonable to apply sunscreen to reduce your risk for cancer.”
The survival rate of MCC is 51 percent when the cancer is confined to one spot on the body.
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