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How
to stop skin cancer?
Take
better care of your skin
Summary:
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Each year in the U.S. nearly 1.3 million cases are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer and 50,000 new cases of melanoma will be reported. Melanoma accounts for 79 percent of all skin cancer deaths.
According to a study by researchers at the
University of Southern California, rate of skin
cancer among Latinos in California has been growing
by nearly 7% per year for the past five years, about
double the rate for whites. People with dark
skins were assumed to be at low risk for skin
cancer. Here are skincare tips so that you do not become a
victim of skin cancer. (Related
article: PDT
for treating actinic keratoses)
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American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns that time spent in the sun can lead to damaged skin, premature aging and possible reconstructive surgery. While the lesions removed from former Attorney General John Ashcroft's ear and shoulder were benign, President
George Bush had pre-cancerous lesions removed from his forehead and temple, and Sen. John McCain had malignant melanoma lesions removed from his arm and temple.
"Most commonly, these skin lesions develop on the sun-exposed areas of the skin," explains ASPS President Edward Luce, MD. "These officials have all spent noted amounts of time in the sun, making them susceptible to skin
cancer. Plastic surgeons have a great interest in preventing skin damage because we regularly repair the destruction caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays, including extreme cases where we
reconstruct areas of the nose and ear after the ravages of skin cancer,"
continues Dr. Luce. Excessive sun exposure speeds up the deterioration and
aging of the
skin.
(Related article: Mole
removal by laser surgery) |
 Most skin cancers can be
treated surgically by a plastic surgeon or by using
photodynamic therapy. "If the cancer is small enough, the procedure can be done easily on an outpatient basis," reports Dr. Luce. "The excision to remove the cancer is small and leaves a barely visible scar when performed by a
board-certified plastic surgeon." Larger skin cancers may require more involved surgery and possibly reconstruction.
The ASPS offers the following sun safety tips:
- Wear sunscreen that is both waterproof and sweat proof. Make sure its sun protection factor (SPF) is at least 15.
For example, use a sunscreen called
Anthelios-SX.
Denise Richards, the Hollywood star, says that even
though she grew up in California and was tempted to
spend time in the sun, she always wore sunscreen -
even on cloudy days. Excessive exposure to sun
can also cause
premature wrinkles.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. Remember that ultraviolet rays pass through water and reflect on sand.
(Related:
Safe tanning)
- Consider wearing a
tee shirt during water activities. "People do not realize they are being burned in the cool water while they are snorkeling or playing other water sports," reports Dr. Luce. (Related
article:
Hydroquinone cream)
- Stay in the shade whenever possible.
- Apply lip balm with at least a SPF of 15.
- Examine your skin regularly. If you find any suspicious changes in your skin,
consult a plastic
surgeon. (Related:
Skin cancer detection)
- Be vigilant in applying sunscreen on children, as it is estimated that 80 percent of sun damage to the skin occurs before the age of 20.
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