An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as the saying goes, and that is never truer than when we are talking about the most common form of cancer in America, skin cancer. While awareness is spreading thanks in large part to the work of the Skin Cancer Foundation, there are still more than 3.5 million new cases diagnosed in 2 million patients each year according to the most recent data available from the organization. That adds up to more new cases than breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers combined. At some point in their life, one in five Americans will receive a diagnosis of some form of skin cancer, and that it is far too many for something that is so easy to prevent.
In a new report in The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, Dr. Robin L. Hornung and Solmaz Poorsattar of the University of Washington in Seattle wrote that the “continued purposeful exposure to a known cancer-causing agent suggests that factors besides lack of knowledge are driving individuals to tan.” Although many say that a tanned appearance is their strongest motivation for sunbathing and tanning bed use, “tanners also report mood enhancement, relaxation and socialization” as their reasons, the authors wrote.
Skin cancer is blind to race. It also does not care if you are a man or a woman. Sunlight or synthetic forms of ultraviolet light make no difference either. If you have skin, you are at risk for developing skin cancer. The good news is that skin cancer is generally not fatal if the diagnosis comes in time.
Forms of Pre-Cancer and Cancer
Pre-cancer is an abnormal growth of cells, and depending upon the individual situation, the doctor may or may not treat them with a variety of methods. The important thing to keep in mind with pre-cancer is that while it is abnormal, it is not yet cancer. Early treatment can keep the cells from becoming cancerous.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis is the most common type of pre-cancer in relation to skin cancer, and a current estimate reveals that about 10 million Americans have actinic keratosis. Also known as solar keratosis, this type of pre-cancer usually appears on the parts of the body that are most frequently exposed to sun, such as bald heads, faces, ears, and arms and is usually so small that it is felt before it can be seen. Often described as feeling like running your finger over sandpaper, there is often more than one lesion, and the areas of skin affected may be red and irritated. These lesions may disappear for a while, but reappear later.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer with about 1 million new diagnoses each year. As the name implies, this type of skin cancer affects the basal cells. These cells line the deepest layer of the top layer of skin. While that may sound confusing, it really just means that basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a superficial form of skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma is usually easy to treat and is rarely fatal, however, if left untreated for a significant time, it can be disfiguring. This type of skin cancer does have a risk of recurrence, especially if the area originally affected was the scalp or nose. Recurrence of cancer in these areas usually takes place within the first two years after treatment.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form and affects most of the top layer of skin. It differs from basal cell carcinoma in a couple of way.
One of the largest characteristics of this type of cancer is that the site that is affected is does not necessarily have to be exposed to the sun, although exposed areas are the areas most at risk. Squamous cell carcinoma can affect the mucous membranes and genitals, which is uncommon with other types of skin cancer.
There are some troubling links between the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and squamous cell carcinoma. A condition called Bowen's disease, caused by HPV, is believed to occur during the early stages of squamous cell carcinoma, according to the American Cancer Society. This virus is highly transmittable through sexual contact, which researchers believe is how the cancer spreads to the genitals.
If left untreated, the cancer could become disfiguring and even result in the loss of an ear or nose. This type of cancer could also metastasize, or spread, to the internal organs or to other areas of the body.
Dysplastic Nevi
Dysplastic Nevi is also known as atypical mole syndrome. This condition, while not cancerous itself, increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer development, and must be monitored.
While nearly everyone has moles, those with 10 or more face a 12 times higher risk, of developing melanoma, than those who do not. Dysplastic nevi and melanoma remain very difficult to distinguish from each other with the untrained eyed, and it is not uncommon for melanoma growths to exist in a mole. This is why dermatologists recommend those with many moles to have them checked at least twice a year to ensure that they do not become melanoma.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and kills about one person per hour in the US. The good news is that if it is caught early, before it metastasizes to other areas such as the internal organs, or lymph nodes, it is usually curable.
There are a couple of different types of melanoma growths. Each affect a different demographic. No one is immune, but some people have higher levels of risk than others do because experts believe there is a genetic component involved, so if you have a close family member affected by this type of skin cancer, then your odds of this form of the disease are higher. Another factor is in relation to melanoma showing up more in those with moles, which are more active during puberty and pregnancy, thus indicating that there could also be a hormonal element in play.
Melanoma rarely shows up without warning, so if you are proactive in protecting yourself from the sun, your chances of developing it are slim.
Those Most Affected
While no one is immune, those with fair complexions, red or blonde hair, and light colored eyes are most at risk. Those with darker complexions naturally have a lower risk, but when it does develop, it is usually squamous cell carcinoma. This is the second most common form of skin cancer and the most common among African-Americans.
Men are usually at a higher risk then women because they usually spend more time outside during work and leisure activities.
Those over 50 are also more at risk because sun exposure is cumulative over the span of someone’s life. Contrary to popular myth, most sun exposure does not take place during childhood.
People taking certain medications can become hypersensitive to sunlight resulting in sunburns and skin damage much faster than normal. Be sure to talk with your doctor to see if your medications can have this side effect.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation and The Mayo Clinic, everyone should take the following steps to avoid developing skin cancer.
- Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is the time when the sun’s rays are most intense. Also, be careful that if you do need to go out that you do not burn.
- If you need to go out, be sure to cover up. This includes wearing a hat to protect your head and sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sun can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
- Always use a sunscreen of 15 S.P.F or higher each day regardless of the weather. Just because it is overcast and you cannot see the sun, does not mean that its U.V. rays cannot cause damage. Be sure to apply the sunscreen liberally at least half an hour before sun exposure and reapply often.
- Keep babies under six months old out of the sun always because sunscreen is not for babies under that age, and be sure to apply the highest S.P.F. possible to children. A child's skin is much more sensitive and the sun will affect them faster. There are special sunscreens designed specifically for children that are easy to apply and offer maximum protection.
- Do not use indoor tanning beds. These can actually increase your risk of developing skin cancer exponentially. If you want a golden glow, opt for U.V. free spray tanning instead. It is faster and your skin will look great without the damage.
- Be sure to examine your skin at least once a month for any abnormalities and be sure to see a doctor at least once a year for a complete skin exam. If you have several moles, visit your doctor twice a year to ensure that the moles are not hiding or disguising a form of skin cancer.
Remember that while no one is immune to skin cancer, it is easy to prevent if you are proactive. By following the tips above, you can have healthy, beautiful, cancer free skin, no matter what color you are.
Sources:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_skin_cancer_51.asp?sitearea
http://www.skincancer.org/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/ds00190/dsection=prevention