Health | Fall 2024

Don't Get Burned

SKIN CANCER PREVENTION

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Some people are at higher risk of skin cancer than others, but anyone can get it. The most preventable cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds.

The skin is the body's largest organ. Skin has several layers, but the two main layers are the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and the dermis (lower or inner layer). Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of three kinds of cells:

SQUAMOUS CELLS: Thin, flat cells that form the top layer of the epidermis.

BASAL CELLS: Round cells under the squamous cells.

MELANOCYTES: Cells that make melanin and are found in the lower part of the epidermis. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment and cause the skin to darken.

TYPES

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types of skin cancer. They begin in the basal and squamous layers of the skin, respectively. Both can usually be cured, but they can be disfiguring and expensive to treat.

Melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, begins in the melanocytes. Of all types of skin cancer, melanoma causes the most deaths because of its tendency to spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs.

CAUSES

Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to UV rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells. In the short term, this damage can cause a sunburn. Over time, UV damage adds up, leading to changes in skin texture, premature skin aging, and sometimes skin cancer.

SYMPTOMS

A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a change in a mole.

Not all skin cancers look the same. A simple way to remember the warning signs of melanoma is the A-B-C-D-Es:

Asymmetrical: Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape with two parts that look very different?

Border: Is the border irregular or jagged?

Color: Is the color uneven?

Diameter: Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?

Evolving: Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months?

Talk to your doctor if you notice skin changes or the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma.

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can get skin cancer, but people with certain characteristics are at greater risk:

• Lighter natural skin color.

• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.

• Blue or green eyes.

• Blond or red hair.

• Certain types or large numbers of moles.

• A family history of skin cancer.

• A personal history of skin cancer.

• Older age.

Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the continental United States, UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).

The UV index forecasts the strength of UV rays each day. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun:

• Stay in the shade.

• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.

• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.

• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

• Avoid indoor tanning.

source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention