Celebrating July as UV Safety Month For Healthy Skin

Dermato-Oncology is cancers that arise from the skin. They occur due to the development of abnormal cells that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC) and melanoma. Melanomas are the most aggressive. Melanomas include signs like a mole that has changed in size, shape, color, has irregular edges, has more than one color, is itchy or bleeds. Greater than 90% of cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. This exposure increases the risk of all three main types of skin cancer. Exposure of skin has become harmful because with depletion of ozone layer and by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For melanomas and basal-cell cancers exposure during childhood is particularly harmful. People with light skin are at higher risk. Treatment for skin cancer are generally by surgical and non-surgical removals but may less commonly involve radiation therapy or topical medications such as fluorouracil. Treatment of melanoma may involve some combination of surgeries.
Indicators of skin cancer may include:
·         Irregular borders on moles (ragged, notched, or blurred edges)
·         Moles that are not symmetrical (one half doesn’t match the other)
·         Colours that are not uniform throughout
·         Moles that are bigger than a pencil eraser
·         Itchy or painful moles
·         New moles
·         Sores that bleed and do not heal
·         Red patches or lumps

Precautions
·         Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun when possible.
·         Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.
o    SPF refers to how long a person will be protected from a burn. (SPF 15 means a person can stay in the sun 15-times longer before burning.)
o    Apply to ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
o    Reapply at least every 2 hours and each time a person gets out of the water or perspires heavily.
o    Some sunscreens may lose their effectiveness when applied with insect repellents. You may need to reapply more often.
·         Wear clothing with a tight weave or high-SPF clothing.
·         Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection and side panels.
·         Take breaks in shaded areas.
Symptoms & types
  •     Actinic keratosis (AK): Considered the earliest stage of any skin cancer, AK is characterized by dry, scaly spots or patches. It typically appears on areas that are often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, hands, forearms and head. Most people who develop AK are fair-skinned. AK is typically a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma, Day said.
  •          Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common variety of skin cancer, BCC often appears as flesh-colored, pearl-like bumps, though it can also include pinkish skin patches. It also develops on sun-exposed areas of skin, but does not grow quickly and rarely spreads.
  •     Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This cancer typically appears on sun-exposed skin areas and often resembles a scaly patch, firm bump or ulcer that heals and then re-opens, according to the AAD. It is the second-most common type and can grow deep into the skin if not caught early, causing disfigurement.

Treatment & medication

Small, non-melanoma skin cancers may not require any treatment other than surgical removal. Other skin cancer treatments depend on the size, depth and location
Treatments include:
·     Freezing with liquid nitrogen.
·     Laser therapy to vaporize growths.
·     Mohs surgery, which removes growths layer by layer until no abnormal cells remain. This treatment is usually reserved for larger, recurring skin cancers.
·      Radiation, when surgery isn’t an option.
· Chemotherapy, which can include topical creams containing imiquimod or diclofenac, or systemic drugs such as dacarbazine (commonly known as DTIC) or temozolomide
· Biological therapy using drugs such as interferon, interleukin-2 to stimulate the immune system to kill abnormal cells.
·  Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses a combination of lasers and drugs that make cancer cells vulnerable to light.
·     Curettage and electrodesiccation, which uses a circular blade called a curette and an electric needle to scrape away and destroy lesions.

 

Prevention

Sun exposure is the most avoidable risk factor for skin cancer of all types. Preventive measures include:
·         Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
·         Seeking shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
·         Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses.
Avoiding tanning beds.

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