Boys and girls this is your reminder to watch-out for skin cancer! Among the Covid-19 pandemic we can’t forget about the importance of protecting ourselves from the only cancer you can see: skin cancer.
It’s always a good idea to remember the basics, so for the benefit of raising skin cancer awareness before you go out in the summer sun, let’s take a closer look at how to avoid all kinds of skin cancer. ⛱️
Skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer. It develops when abnormal cells start growing in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) and forming malignant tumors. These mutated cells are caused by DNA damage to the skin that can’t be repaired.
The main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) a rare form of aggressive cancer.
Melanoma is probably the most famous form of skin cancer because it’s the most dangerous. If the cancer isn’t caught early it is very hard to treat and even fatal.
However if it’s caught early then the patient could survive. That’s why knowing how to recognize a potential melanoma is so important and that’s why you need a good dermatologist.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. These are uncontrolled growths that can appear as open sores, scars, shiny bumps or red patches. However these rarely metastasize (spread to other organs), that’s the good news. The bad news is that if a tumor is not caught early it may cause scarring and disfigurement (like losing an ear or part of your nose).
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. These tumors can manifest as scaly red patches, warts or open sores that bleed. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, these can metastasize if not detected early and that’s why prevention is so important.
You know it! Sin cancer is caused by harmful Ultra Violet rays from the sun, and the use of Ultra Violet tanning beds (the abomination that Dr. Costi hates).
If it’s caught early, your dermatologist can treat it with little or no scarring and high odds of eliminating it entirely. That’s why it’s so important to immediately get checked if you notice anything wrong. A good doctor should detect the growth before it has become a full-blown skin cancer or penetrated below the surface of the skin.
Skin itching or bleeding, new moles, rapidly growing moles, or moles that itch, bleed, or change color are often early warning signs and should be examined by a dermatologist.
Sun-safe choices are vital in preventing skin cancer for a whole lifetime. Following a complete sun-protection strategy and avoiding intense sun exposure are key in summer but also winter! UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.
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