Dermatologist urges patients to check hidden spots for non-healing sores
A board-certified physician warns that skin cancer often appears in areas rarely exposed to the sun, such as the scalp.
By Nadia Singh ·
Patients checking for skin cancer often miss key warning signs because they focus exclusively on sun-exposed areas. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that cancer can develop in unexpected locations. She identified specific symptoms that people frequently overlook, including sores that fail to heal and moles that bleed easily.
Rogers emphasized that the condition is not limited to the face, arms, or legs. While standard advice directs individuals to monitor areas regularly exposed to sunlight, she warned that the disease can manifest in shadowed or covered regions. This distinction matters for older adults who may assume they are protected by clothing or hair.
Amy O'Rourke, an aging expert, shared her personal experience with the condition. Her diagnosis was located on her scalp, an area many people do not inspect closely. Her case illustrates how the disease can hide in places outside the typical zones of sun exposure.
The discussion on skin health was part of a wider program episode titled Aging Untold. The show addressed multiple topics related to aging, including the emotional complexities of caregiving and new careers for retirees. Rogers provided the medical perspective on detecting anomalies before they become serious.
In a separate segment, the program featured Dr. Rachel Miner, a mixed-animal veterinarian in Kansas. Miner travels up to 60 miles for farm calls, treating clients ranging from family pets to cattle herds. She noted that veterinarians who manage livestock are becoming less common. This decline creates a gap in the first line of defense against animal disease and food insecurity.
The final segment profiled a retired couple, George Peak and Colleen Willette, who operate a bakery in Vermont. They converted a family barn into a business located off a long dirt road surrounded by state forest. The remote bakery produces homemade whoopie pies using local maple syrup. The couple described finding new purpose in their post-retirement work.
