Skin cancer occurs when skin cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled and disorderly manner.
Typically, new skin cells form as cells age and die or when they are damaged. When this process doesn’t work as it should, the result is rapid cell growth (some may be abnormal cells). This set of cells may be noncancerous (benign), not spreading or causing damage, or cancerous, which can spread to nearby tissues or other areas of your body if not treated. Early detection and treatment.
Skin cancer is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The worries about sun exposure go beyond the results of sunburned or flaky skin. The biggest concern about exposing our skin to the sun’s harmful rays is the increased risk of skin damage and, in some cases, skin cancer, the most common cancer of all types. Both men and women are at risk for skin cancer.
The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Both types of cancer are highly curable, but left untreated can cause severe damage and disfigurement. Melanoma is the third most common and deadliest type of skin cancer. Melanoma often develops into a mole or appears as a new dark spot on the skin.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is most commonly seen in areas of the skin exposed to the sun – the face (including the lips), ears, neck, arms, chest, upper back, hands, and feet. However, it can also develop in areas of the skin that are less exposed to the sun and more hidden, including between the toes, under the fingernails, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the genital area.
- A red or flesh-colored shiny bump on the top of the skin
- Rough or scaly patches of red that you can feel
- Growths with raised edges and central crust or bleeding
- Warty growth
- Poorly demarcated scar-like growths
- New spots on the skin that changes the size, shape, or color of existing stains. These changes can vary widely, so there is no single way to describe what skin cancer looks like.
- A nonhealing wound that bleeds or forms a crust.
Prevention
- Avoid tanning beds. If you want a uniform look, use a spray tan.
- Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any medicines you take make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Some medications known to make your skin more sensitive to the sun include tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, tricyclic antibiotics, the antifungal agent griseofulvin, and cholesterol-lowering statins.
- The sun’s rays are the strongest at noon, so seek shade during these hours or protect your skin with clothing. Consider wearing long sleeves, long pants, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Be especially careful if you are near water, sand, or snow. These surfaces can reflect and enhance sun damage.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect your hands and feet. Look for clothing labeled UV protection factor for extra protection.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Look for glasses that block both UV-B and UV-A rays.
Conclusion
It is still possible to have a safe summer in the sun. Preventing sunburn and sun damage begins with limiting sun exposure. Always wear sunscreen when you plan to go out in the sun.
Contact Skin Clinic Robina
For all matters concerning skin cancer checks and treatments offered by Skin Clinic Robina, contact us today.
