Recognizing Actinic Keratosis, Cancer Risk, with Elizabeth Hale, MD

Actinic keratosis represents one of modern healthcare's most overlooked and dangerous skin conditions. With global prevalence estimates of 14% and higher rates observed in older populations and those with significant UV exposure, the precancerous condition poses a significant risk to long-term health when left untreated or undiagnosed.1

“It's really important that not just dermatologists, but that general physicians, internal medicine doctors are familiar with this diagnoses, because they do have potential to transform into non melanoma skin cancers, and they also are a marker of a risk factor that you may develop, even melanoma,” said Elizabeth Hale, MD, clinical associate professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, in an interview with HCPLive Dermatology. “So, it's important that people are familiar with these very common skin lesions, because we see them every single day, and treating them and educating patients early and really help minimize the risk of future skin cancers."

Underscoring Hale’s remarks, a longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA found that patients with actinic keratosis had a 17.1% cumulative incidence of squamous cell carcinoma within 10 years compared to 5.7% in matched controls. A 2023 survey of more than 2500 adults aged 35 or older from the US and Europe conducted by Almirall suggested 85% of people were unaware of the condition. The same survey found 57.73% do not get skin checks by professionals.2,3

In 2022, Almirall launched the Global Actinic Keratosis Awareness Day to raise awareness of the importance of monitoring the appearance and evolution of the skin lesions of actinic keratosis. Recognized annually on May 24, the day continues to mark an important awareness initiative, evidenced by the 2025 partnership between Almirall and Biofrontera to promote the “Hats On Challenge”, which is a social media initiative that encourages participants to wear a hat, post a video, and use the hashtags to spread awareness about skin protection.4,5

For more on recent developments in actinic keratosis and the role of non-dermatology health care providers in the diagnosis of actinic keratosis, check out our interview with Hale.

Hale has no relevant disclosures to report.

References:

1. George CD, Lee T, Hollestein LM, Asgari MM, Nijsten T. Global epidemiology of actinic keratosis in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol. 2024;190(4):465-476. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljad371
2. Madani S, Marwaha S, Dusendang JR, et al. Ten-Year Follow-up of Persons With Sun-Damaged Skin Associated With Subsequent Development of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(5):559–565. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.0372
3. Almirall. 85% of people unaware of actinic keratosis, the most common pre-cancerous skin condition. Almirall.com. Published May 24, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2025. https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/85-of-people-unaware-of-actinic-keratosis-the-most-common-pre-cancerous-skin-condition.
4. Almirall. Almirall launches the Actinic Keratosis (AK) Global Day during the Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Almirall.com. Published May 22, 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025. https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/almirall-launches-the-actinic-keratosis-ak-global-day-during-the-skin-cancer-awareness-month-1.
5. Almirall. Almirall and Biofrontera Launch the “Hats On” Challenge to Raise Awareness and Support for Actinic Keratosis. Almirall.com. Published 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025. https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/almirall-and-biofrontera-launch-the-hats-on-challenge-to-raise-awareness-and-support-for-actinic-keratosis.