Utah skin cancer researcher raising awareness after surviving melanoma

SALT LAKE CITY — Jakob Jensen was first diagnosed with melanoma while working as a lifeguard at age 19.

“Every summer, I burned ’til I peeled. I never wore sunscreen, and so I had pretty significant sun damage when I was younger,” he said. “My first reaction was, ‘What’s melanoma?’ I didn’t really have a concept of skin cancer.”

That experience helped shape his career as a skin cancer researcher for Huntsman Cancer Institute, which proved even more valuable when he once again noticed a mole last summer.

“I was working in my lab, and I had my arm out on my desk, and I thought, ‘there’s a new mole on my arm,’” he said.

Jensen initially dismissed it, but with encouragement from his wife, he got it checked out.

Sure enough, it was melanoma.

“I was very lucky that I caught it fast,” Jensen said. “That has effectively, knock on wood, become the end of my story right now for this particular mole.”

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., with an estimated one in five people being diagnosed by age 70.

Of all skin cancers, melanoma is the most dangerous.

“Utah leads the country in melanoma rates, not in a good way, and it’s because we live at high elevation and we’re outside 365 days of the year,” Jensen said.

At Huntsman Cancer Institute, Jensen uses a machine that takes UV images of the face, which can help identify issues that may indicate skin disease. He also has spent years developing visuals to help people understand melanoma.

“It’s very treatable, especially if you catch it early, and it can be caught early,” he said.

To keep your skin safe and healthy, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher — even during the winter.

“You can be out in peak sun, you just got to take care of yourself,” Jensen said. “People that ski a lot are at a high risk for melanoma. If you’re out on the mountain all day you should be applying sunscreen every time you take a break.”

Wear sun protective clothing, avoid tanning beds, and monitor your skin regularly.

“When you’re trying to identify a suspicious mole on your body, look for the ugly duckling,” Jensen said.

You can also use the acronym “ABCDE” to check for melanoma:

• Asymmetric: Look for asymmetric or unequally sized moles.
• Border: Look for spots with jagged borders.
• Color: Look for spots with varying colors.
• Diameter: Look for large spots. Any moles bigger than the eraser of a pencil should be checked out.
• Evolving: Look for any developing or changing moles.

And remember, it’s never too late to start a sun safety routine.

“It’s true you’re going to take a certain amount of skin damage, but you want to try to mitigate that,” Jensen said.

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