Beware scalp and neck skin cancers

A new study that reviewed more than 50,000 U.S. melanoma cases found that patients with melanoma "lesions in the scalp and neck died almost twice as fast after diagnosis as those whose tumors started anywhere else on the body." As Time magazine reported:

Interestingly, cancers of the face and ear, other common locations for melanoma, were not linked to reduced survival. In fact, cancers starting in these areas actually had better prognosis than those beginning in the trunk or extremities, which usually have the best survival rates.

Possible reasons: the extensive lymph and blood vessels in the scalp and neck "can make it easier for cancer cells to both grow and spread;" these areas receive the most sun exposure; and "scalp lesions are harder to detect, and less likely to be screened, given that in most cases, the region is covered with hair."

The bottom line: get screened regularly, especially if you seek out sunlight or use artificial ultraviolet (UV) light to treat your psoriasis.