Talented musician and singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett was beloved for the laid-back spirit of his

music. It’s infused with a special kind of tropical vibe that just screams escapism and convinces

everyone a beach day or a trip to the Caribbean is in order. Partially because his music evokes

such happiness, the recent announcement of Buffett’s death on September 1, 2023 came as a

shock to many.

Buffett, 76, died following a four-year battle with Merkel cell carcinoma, which is a rare and

fast-growing form of malignant skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, Merkel

cell carcinoma typically appears as a firm, painless lump or pimple. It’s usually pink, red, or

purple and typically appears on an area of the skin that gets a lot of sun — most commonly the

head or neck, but also often on the legs, arms, or trunk. Sun exposure and a weakened immune

system put people at higher risk for Merkel cell carcinoma.

While you’re blasting “Cheeseburger in Paradise” or “Margaritaville” in memory of this American

musical hero, another great way to pay tribute is by taking some time to brush up on your skin

cancer knowledge — including how to avoid it.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are a few things you can do to lower your risk

for Merkel cell carcinoma. These include:

● Lowering your exposure to UV rays from sunlight and tanning beds.

● Staying in the shade to lower your exposure to the sun’s UV rays

● Wearing sunscreen

● Wearing a hat, shirt, and/or sunglasses when outdoors in the sun to protect your skin

and eyes from UV rays.

While this type of cancer is rare, it grows and spreads rapidly, so it’s important to catch it early.

Here are two ways to detect Merkel cell carcinoma and other forms of skin cancer:

Do a skin self-exam: Consider looking over your skin once each month by doing a skin

self-exam. You can use a full length mirror and a hand-held mirror (for hard to see areas) to

check all areas of your skin. Don’t forget about easily overlooked areas, like your scalp, ears,

nails, back, palms, and soles. Even if you don’t detect anything out of the ordinary, this process

helps you to get familiar with your skin — moles, freckles, and all — so that you’ll more easily

notice changes if and when they appear.

Get in touch with a doctor right away if something concerning catches your eye. This might be a

spot on your skin that’s changed color, shape, or size, or an unusual lump, sore, or marking.

You’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for areas of skin that are red, scaly, oozing, or

different in appearance than usual.

See a healthcare professional for a skin exam: Regular, full-body skin exams with a doctor

are another important way to stay on top of your skin health and increase your chances of

detecting skin cancer early. These exams are very thorough but usually take just 10 minutes or

less.

Wondering what to expect? You’ll wear a medical gown and your doctor will check all of your

skin from head to toe. If they notice anything suspicious or concerning, they may choose to

remove part of it and send it to a lab for further analysis — this is called a biopsy. If the biopsy

comes back positive for skin cancer, your doctor will share more information with you, including

your treatment options.

Many people have these exams yearly, but it can be helpful to chat with your doctor about your

skin cancer risk to find out how often you should go for a skin exam.

To learn more, schedule an appointment with a physician at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte.