Don't Let the Sun Steal Your Retirement
For many, it's the ultimate American retirement dream... Move to Florida, hit the golf course, soak up the endless sunshine.
But that dream is hiding a deadly secret: a fast-moving health threat that may not show up in your blood pressure, cholesterol, or waistline...
It's melanoma.
According to a new study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology, older adults in the Sunshine State are carrying a heavy burden from this dangerous form of skin cancer.
Florida Atlantic University researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") on 65-and-older Floridians, looking at skin-cancer diagnoses from 2018 to 2021 and deaths from 2018 through 2023.
The team uncovered something brutal: Across the study period, Florida men ages 65 and older suffered roughly twice as many skin-cancer-related deaths as women in the same age group.
Florida isn't alone, though... Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Current estimates show that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And older adults are especially at risk because sun damage builds over decades.
So as we head into the summer season, now is the time to make skin protection as automatic as brushing your teeth. We'll talk about the three major types of skin cancer and their warning signs, as well as a few simple habits that could save your life down the road.
Know Your Skin-Cancer Risk
There are three main types of skin cancer:
1. Basal-cell skin cancer is the most common of the three. It starts deep under your skin – in the basal cells that sit beneath the squamous cells in the epidermis (the outer layer of your skin). This slow-growing cancer tends to appear on the face and other areas (like the neck, ears, scalp, shoulders, and arms) that have regular sun exposure.
2. Squamous-cell skin cancer is the second-most common type. It begins in the squamous cells near the top of the epidermis. Like the basal-cell variety, squamous-cell skin cancer usually appears in sun-exposed areas. But it can also appear in places that don't get much sun – like in the mucus-membrane areas inside of your nose and mouth.
When caught early, most basal- and squamous-cell cancers are highly treatable. But they're not entirely harmless because they can grow, scar, disfigure, and in some cases spread.
3. Melanoma is the one that keeps dermatologists up at night. While it's less common than the other two, it's the deadliest. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, which are the pigment-making cells that give your skin its color. It's also very sneaky, turning up anywhere on the skin's surface and even in areas like under your nails. Left untreated, it spreads to your vital organs – fast.
As for risk, it's higher if you...
- Have light-colored skin, hair, and/or eyes
- Burn or freckle easily in the sun
- Have a family history of skin cancer
- Have a personal history of tanning or getting lots of sunburns
- Spend a lot of time outdoors for work, sports, or hobbies
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are older (age 40 and up).
If you have a darker skin tone, don't make the mistake of thinking you're safe. The scary truth is that if you develop skin cancer, it's more likely to be advanced by the time it's caught. Plus, skin cancer can show up in easy-to-miss places like the palms, soles, groin, inside of the mouth, or underside of the nails.
Put simply, no one gets a free pass when it comes to skin cancer.
The good news is that most skin cancers aren't that dangerous, especially when caught early.
How to Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer
First, make this a monthly tradition:
Get naked with your loved one and examine each other, especially in places like the back, on and between the buttocks, and the scalp.
If you're flying solo, don't sweat it: All you need is a bright light, a large mirror, and a smaller, handheld mirror to check out those hard-to-see areas.
And don't forget to check everywhere. That includes your nailbeds and even your palms and soles.
Second, keep an eye on the "ABCDE" warning signs to determine whether a doctor should look at an abnormal skin mark...
A = Asymmetrical
B = Border is uneven
C = Color changes, or being more than one color
D = Diameter is a quarter-inch or larger, about the size of a pencil eraser. Also, these are darker than other moles.
E = Evolving, or changing in shape, size, or color
Don't forget about the "Ugly Duckling" sign, either... That'd be a mole or spot that looks different from the rest of your marks.
Now, one of these warning signs doesn't mean you 100% have cancer. But it 100% means it's time to get checked out by a dermatologist, especially if you fit the high-risk profile.
The American Academy of Dermatology has a handy, printable PDF with a reminder of the ABCDEs, as well as a "Body Mole Map" where you can mark the exact locations of your spots (much like a dermatologist would) on diagrams of the body.
The second is protecting your skin. And when it comes to sun protection, I prefer to start with clothes.
I like to cover up with a lightweight, long-sleeved top, preferably with an ultraviolet protection factor ("UPF") of 50. Fabrics with a denser weave and synthetic fabrics often do a better job of protecting your skin against the sun than lighter, natural fabrics. I also wear sunglasses and a hat (also with UPF 50) if I'm going to be out and about in the midday sun.
I'm not saying that you should become a cave-dwelling Morlock. After all, you still need some sunlight to power your body's natural vitamin D factory. Not to mention, sunlight exposure helps regulate our circadian rhythms for better sleep and can boost serotonin levels.
Rather, I recommend getting some sun in well-timed doses.
Practice sun safety when your skin is most vulnerable to UV radiation: from the late morning to early afternoon, when the sun is highest in the sky. Also, light-skinned folks might need around 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure, while darker-skinned folks might need more time, like 20 to 30 minutes.
I prefer this method to slopping on the sunscreen. But if you do plan on slopping, I suggest mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that sit on your skin to block rays (as opposed to "chemical filters" that work by penetrating your skin). Plus, these "physical filters" tend to be more sensitive-skin friendly. Just make sure to follow the instructions on reapplying after two hours or if you get sweaty or wet.
There is some debate over whether the risks outweigh the benefits of skin-cancer screenings at the doctors in asymptomatic folks. I still believe that skin-cancer screening – self-screening included – is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your health, especially if you're at high risk for this cancer.
P.S. Skin cancer isn't just a health threat – it's also a financial one.
The CDC estimates that it costs our country roughly $9 billion a year. And guess who's the biggest payer for skin-cancer treatment? Medicare.
In a recent issue of my Retirement Millionaire newsletter, I discussed how to make sure you can afford to stay healthy during retirement and avoid letting medical expenses drain your nest egg. If you're not already a subscriber, learn more about getting started – and how you can stay rich well into your golden years – here.
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- Something different: This renowned chef eats seven gin-soaked golden raisins every night.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
June 9, 2026