By Jillian Hunt, CNP – Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Naples Cancer Advisors

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and in sun-drenched Collier and Lee Counties, it’s more than a calendar observance. It’s a call to action. The sunny environment increases exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are a significant risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma. Understanding the risks and adopting preventive measures can help residents enjoy the sun safely while minimizing their skin cancer risk.

At NCA, we specialize in delivering second opinions and expert oncology guidance at no cost to patients. Our team, including nationally recognized oncologist Dr. Philip Leming, believes that no one should face a cancer diagnosis alone. This month, we want to shine a light on reshaping melanoma prevention, detection, and awareness—so you can stay protected and proactive.

Prevention: A Daily Practice, Not Just a Summer Checklist
Most people know the basics: use sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, cover up when outside. But melanoma doesn’t just show up where the sun shines. It can develop under your fingernails, between your toes, even on your scalp or eyes. We educate patients to look everywhere, not just the obvious spots.

One powerful (and often overlooked) fact: a single blistering sunburn in childhood doubles your lifetime risk of melanoma. That’s why prevention is a family affair. We urge parents to build sun safety habits early and keep them consistent all year.

Detection: A Watchful Eye is The Best Tool
The front line of defense against skin cancer is early detection. Identifying skin changes especially changes in moles is the easiest way to catch skin cancer earlier.

What is a mole?
A mole is a benign (non-cancerous) growth on the skin that develops when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment, cluster together instead of being evenly distributed. Moles can be present from birth or develop later in life.

ABCDE’s of Moles and Melanoma Detection
• Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
• Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are uneven, ragged, or notched.
• Color variation: The mole has multiple shades of brown, black, or other colors like red, white, or blue.
• Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• Evolving: The mole has changed in size, shape, or color, or has new symptoms like itching, bleeding, or crusting.

The ABCDEs are a helpful tool for self-examination and can prompt individuals to seek professional medical advice if any of these signs are present.

Dermatologists remain the front line in detection and diagnosis. However, emerging technologies are offering exciting backup. Artificial intelligence skin scanners and total body imaging are improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.

Whether it’s through advanced tools or a trained eye, one truth remains: catching melanoma early saves lives.

The NCA Difference: Compassionate, Cost-Free Cancer Guidance
Naples Cancer Advisors was founded to be a bridge for patients who feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn after a cancer diagnosis. We offer a second set of expert eyes, help explain treatment options, connect people to top-tier providers, and support them throughout their journey.

Melanoma may be aggressive, but it’s also highly preventable and treatable when caught early. This May, we urge everyone in our community to schedule a skin check, learn your ABCDEs (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving), and take sun safety seriously.

And if you ever need clarity or support after a diagnosis, Naples Cancer Advisors is here—free, local, and fully focused on you.

Jillian Hunt, CNP Bio
Jillian has been caring for cancer patients since 2004. In that time, she has set the benchmark for her patient-centric approach in Cincinnati, Southwest Florida, and beyond.

Her professional journey began at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1999 on the hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant unit and later the emergency department.

After spending five years caring for children, Jillian found her passion in caring for the adult oncology patient. Starting as a chemotherapy infusion nurse in private practice with Dr. Philip Leming at Cincinnati Hematology Oncology, she then pursued an advanced degree to offer a higher level of care to her cancer patients.

Jillian has been an oncology nurse practitioner since 2011 and is passionate about patient care, education and staying current on research opportunities available for the patients she cares for.

Jillian is a national speaker traveling to educate clinicians on the use and management of toxicities of medications that are used in cancer treatments. She has spoken at national nursing conferences and sits on several advisory boards. Jillian feels strongly about staying on the front lines to improve patient care and expert advice on cancer.

Jillian was born and raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Lakota High School. She and her husband have five children. Outside of her love and passion for oncology, Jillian and her husband are licensed foster parents and have participated in global mission trips to serve orphaned children around the world.

Naples Cancer Advisors

239-846-2273 (CARE)
3201 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 112, Naples, FL 34103