Menopause Skin | Skin Cancer Awareness

The sun, we love it! A beautiful yellow orb, and powerful source of energy, light, and heat, it plays a vital role in the health and well-being of humans, not least in its role making the body’s supply of Vitamin D, the ‘sunshine vitamin’. Conversely, exposure to the sun can also have negative effects, particularly when it comes to skin health. One of the most serious concerns related to sun exposure is skin cancer, a disease that affects millions around the world.

Skin cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the skin start growing uncontrollably. One of the primary causes of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. When UV radiation penetrates the skin, it can damage the DNA in skin cells, which can cause them to become cancerous. UV radiation can also suppress the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off cancer cells.

What steps can we take to prevent skin cancer, and is there a link between skin cancer and menopause?

Is there a link between menopause and skin cancer?

Research has shown that women who have gone through menopause may be at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than women who have not. Oestrogen, the key hormone in women's reproductive health provides a protection for skin, maintaining healthy levels of collagen and elastin, the two proteins that give the skin its elasticity and firmness. It also helps to reduce inflammation in the skin, which can contribute to the development of skin cancer.

When oestrogen levels run low, skin thins out in menopause, making it more susceptible to damage from UV radiation and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Signs to look out for include: new, changing or unusual skin growths, on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas of the body, moles getting bigger or bleeding and Melanomas, a type of skin cancer, that commonly appear on women’s legs. Where any changes are spotted, it’s really important to get these checked out by your doctor, or medical provider.

In addition to the natural link between menopause, skin cancer and ageing, a Dutch study found that hormone replacement therapy, HRT (and oral contraceptives OCs) may possibly increase the risk of skin cancer. HRT works by replacing the oestrogen that the body is no longer producing, but it can also stimulate the growth of cancer cells in some cases. That said, the study had limited scope, with the British Menopause Society saying in response, “Women who are concerned about developing skin cancer should pay close attention to their exposure to ultra-violet light rather than worry about whether or not to use or OCs or HRT.”

The link between sun exposure, skin cancer, and menopause is complex and multifaceted. Women who have gone through menopause may be at a higher risk of developing skin cancer due to a decrease in oestrogen levels, which can make the skin more vulnerable to damage from UV radiation. Prevention being better than cure, we should take active steps to protect the skin in menopause from sun damage to reduce the risk of skin cancer seek medical advice as soon as any concerns are noticed

May 2023

This blog does not constitute medical advice. Always seek professional medical help for any health concerns.