Skin Cancer Care in Grand Rapids, MI

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and Michigan residents are not exempt—especially with our mix of sunny summers, outdoor recreation on Lake Michigan, and reflective UV from snow in the winter. The good news: skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers, and when it’s found early, most cases can be treated successfully.

In Grand Rapids, you can get expert skin cancer screening and treatment through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as local dermatology clinics throughout Kent County.

Why Skin Cancer Prevention Matters in Grand Rapids

Each year, over 2,000 Americans die from skin cancer. Many of these deaths are preventable with:

• Smart sun protection
• Regular skin self-checks
• Timely visits to a doctor or dermatologist

In West Michigan, people often underestimate UV exposure because:

• Summers are mild compared to the South, so the sun may “feel” less intense.
• UV rays reflect off Lake Michigan, inland lakes, and the Grand River.
• Snow in winter can reflect UV, leading to sun damage even on cold days.
• Cloud cover is common, but UV can still penetrate clouds and damage skin.

Whether you live in Eastown, Heritage Hill, Wyoming, Kentwood, or Rockford, protecting your skin is essential year-round.

Main Types of Skin Cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer:

1. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
2. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
3. Melanoma

All three can occur in people living in Grand Rapids, especially those with a history of sunburns, tanning bed use, or outdoor work and recreation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common but least aggressive form of skin cancer.

Typical features:

• Often appears on sun-exposed areas: face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, upper body
• May look like:
  • A small, pearly or waxy bump
  • A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
  • A sore that bleeds, crusts over, and doesn’t heal

BCC usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can cause significant local damage if not treated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is more serious than BCC and can spread if not treated promptly.

Typical features:

• Often appears on areas exposed to the sun:
  • Head and scalp
  • Face and ears
  • Neck
  • Hands and forearms
• May look like:
  • Thickened, red, scaly patches
  • A raised, crusted growth
  • A sore that becomes ulcerated and does not heal
• Can bleed if bumped or scratched

SCC tends to grow over weeks to months and can spread to lymph nodes and other organs if not treated.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body, becoming life-threatening. However, when caught early, melanoma is often highly treatable.

Melanoma can develop:

• As a new spot
• From an existing mole, freckle, or spot that changes

Common Melanoma (Superficial Spreading Melanoma)

Typical features:

• Usually flat or only slightly raised
• Has an irregular, smudgy outline
• Often more than one color (brown, black, red, blue, or white)
• May grow or change over weeks to months

Nodular Melanoma

Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous and fast-growing type of melanoma.

Typical features:

• Raised (a bump or nodule)
• Usually one even color (often red, pink, brown, or black)
• Can grow and change very quickly
• May bleed or look like a pimple that doesn’t go away

Because nodular melanoma can become life-threatening in a short time, any new, rapidly growing lump should be checked by a doctor right away.

UV Exposure in Michigan: Not Just a Summer Problem

Even mild or intermittent sun exposure can damage skin cells and increase your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.

In Grand Rapids:

• Summer UV can be high, especially mid-day and near water.
• Snow and ice in winter reflect UV, increasing exposure.
• Cloudy days still allow UV rays through—up to 80% of UV can penetrate clouds.

Don’t wait for hot, sunny weather to think about sun protection. UV can be harmful even on cool, overcast days.

You can check UV levels using:

• Local weather apps and websites
• National Weather Service UV Index
• Many smartphone weather apps that include UV forecasts

Sun Protection Tips for Grand Rapids Residents

Use a combination of sun protection measures whenever the UV index is 3 or higher, or if you’ll be outdoors for extended periods.

The 5 Key Sun Protection Measures

1. Slip on sun-protective clothing

   • Long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric
   • Rash guards or swim shirts at Lake Michigan or local pools

2. Slop on sunscreen

   • Use SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
   • Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside
   • Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating
   • Don’t use sunscreen to “extend” your time in the sun—use it as part of a full protection plan

3. Slap on a hat

   • Choose a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and neck
   • Baseball caps leave ears and neck exposed—use additional protection

4. Slide on sunglasses

   • Wear wrap-around sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB
   • Protect your eyes from UV damage year-round, including on snowy days

5. Seek shade

   • Sit under trees, umbrellas, or canopies at parks, beaches, and outdoor events
   • Avoid being in direct sun during peak UV hours (roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

These measures are especially important for:

• Children and teens in Grand Rapids Public Schools and area districts
• Outdoor workers (construction, landscaping, farming, delivery)
• People who boat, fish, hike, bike, or play outdoor sports

Skin Cancer Prevention for Families in Grand Rapids

Use the same sun safety measures for your entire family:

• Apply sunscreen to kids before school, sports, and outdoor activities
• Encourage hats and sunglasses at recess and on field trips
• Teach older children and teens to recognize new or changing moles

Early sun protection habits in childhood can significantly reduce skin cancer risk in adulthood.

How to Check Your Skin for Signs of Skin Cancer

All adults in Grand Rapids should become familiar with their skin and perform regular self-exams—about once a month is ideal.

What to Look For

Be aware of:

• Any new spots on your skin
• Any changes in existing moles, freckles, or spots:
  • Change in size, shape, or color
  • Spots that become raised or develop an irregular border
  • Moles that itch, bleed, or don’t heal

Use the ABCDE rule for moles:

• A – Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other
• B – Border: edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred
• C – Color: multiple colors or uneven color
• D – Diameter: larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller
• E – Evolving: changing in size, shape, color, or symptoms

How to Examine Your Whole Body

Skin cancers can appear on areas not exposed to the sun, so check everywhere:

• Face, nose, lips, ears, eyelids
• Scalp (use a comb to part hair, or ask someone to help)
• Neck, chest, abdomen, and back
• Armpits and inner arms
• Hands, including palms and between fingers
• Legs, including backs of thighs and calves
• Feet, including soles and between toes
• Under nails and around nail beds
• Buttocks and genital area (use a mirror if needed)

Use a hand-held mirror or ask a partner or family member to help you see your back and the back of your neck.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

See a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible if you notice:

• A new or changing mole, freckle, or spot
• A sore that doesn’t heal within a few weeks
• A spot that bleeds, crusts, or itches and doesn’t go away
• A rapidly growing lump or nodule

You can:

• Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider (family doctor or internal medicine doctor)
• Ask for a referral to a dermatologist at:
  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health or independent dermatology practices in Kent County

If you don’t have a regular doctor, many urgent care and walk-in clinics in the Grand Rapids area can provide an initial skin check and refer you to a specialist if needed.

How Skin Cancer Is Diagnosed

Skin cancer is usually diagnosed in two steps:

1. Physical examination

   • Your doctor or dermatologist will examine the spot and the rest of your skin.
   • They may use a special magnifying device called a dermatoscope.

2. Biopsy

   • Part or all of the suspicious spot is removed under local anesthetic.
   • The tissue is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
   • Results typically take about a week.

In some cases, the biopsy removes the entire skin cancer, and no further treatment is needed. In other cases, additional treatment is recommended.

Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

Treatment depends on:

• Your age and general health
• The type of skin cancer (BCC, SCC, melanoma)
• The size and depth of the tumor
• Where it is located on your body
• Whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs
• Your personal preferences

Common treatment options include:

• Surgical removal (excision): cutting out the cancer and some surrounding tissue
• Mohs surgery: layer-by-layer removal, often used on the face or areas where preserving healthy tissue is important
• Freezing (cryotherapy): using liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal cells
• Scraping and burning (curettage and cautery): scraping away the cancer and sealing the area
• Radiation therapy: using targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells
• Removal of lymph nodes: if cancer has spread
• Immunotherapy: medicines that help your immune system attack cancer cells (often for advanced melanoma)
• Targeted therapy: drugs that target specific changes in cancer cells
• Chemotherapy: less common for skin cancer, but sometimes used in advanced cases

These treatments are available through oncology and dermatology services at major Grand Rapids health systems and specialized cancer centers.

Local Skin Cancer Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are concerned about skin cancer or need support, the following local and regional resources can help:

• Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) – first point of contact for skin checks and referrals
• Dermatologists in Grand Rapids – for expert diagnosis and treatment
• Oncologists – for advanced or complex skin cancers
• Pharmacists – for medication questions and sunscreen recommendations
• Kent County Health Department – local public health information and resources
• Grand Rapids Public Health programs – community education and screenings when available

For urgent concerns, contact your local clinic or health system’s nurse advice line. In an emergency (e.g., severe bleeding or sudden illness), call 911.

Key Points for Grand Rapids Residents

• Skin cancer is common but largely preventable.
• There are three main types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least dangerous, but still needs treatment.
• Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can spread and become life-threatening if not treated early.
• Common melanomas often appear as a new spot or a changing mole, freckle, or spot.
• Regular self-exams and year-round sun protection are essential in Michigan’s climate.
• A biopsy is a simple procedure that can diagnose skin cancer; sometimes it removes all the cancer.
• Early detection and treatment at Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics greatly improve outcomes.

If you notice any new, changing, or unusual spots on your skin, schedule a skin check with a Grand Rapids healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early action can save your skin—and your life.