 |
Prevent skin cancer by being careful
2007/09/10
25 percent of all cancers that are diagnosed are skin cancers, making it one of the most common forms of the ailment. Nobody is immune to it, but everybody can take certain measures to keep skin cancer at bay.
Most skin cancers fall into two types, basal cell or squamous cell and both are more common in men than in women. If detected early enough, skin cancers are successfully treated by simply removing the affected piece. This is often done in a doctor's office using a local anaesthetic, which means that the area around the skin cancer is numbed, but you remain awake during the procedure.
The three common skin cancers are:
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and the good news is that it does not spread quickly. It normally appears as a pearl coloured bump on the face, ear or neck or as a brown coloured mark/scar on the skin of the chest or back.
Squamous cell carcinoma spreads quickly but is also easily treated. It usually appears as a hard red bump on the face, arms, lips, ears, neck or hands. It can also appear on the face, neck, hands, ears or lips as a crusty or scaly mark.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can occur on any part of the body, but is most commonly found on the upper back and face. This cancer can start on any normal part of the skin or when a mole becomes cancerous. Keep an eye out for: ark sores on the tips of your fingers, palms, toes, on the nose, vagina, inside the mouth or even the anus. It can also be present as a biggish brown spot surrounded by freckles or blue, black, red or white spots. If you have any moles, examine them regularly for changes in colour, size or if they start to bleed.
You are at risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, if you have:
-
Suntanned without using a sun block with a sun protection factor 15 or higher
-
A history of being severely sunburned
-
A fair complexion;
-
Been exposed to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds or radium
The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in an existing wart or mole and you should contact your doctor if a wart or mole:
-
Becomes asymmetrical, meaning one half does not match the other half
-
Has ragged or rough edges
-
Has uneven colouring
-
Has a diameter that is larger than the eraser found on the back of a pencil
-
Begins to bleed, itch or feel irritated
In order to detect skin cancer as early as possible, do a monthly skin examination. Look at your skin in front of a full length mirror, and use a hand held mirror to check for any changes in size, texture, or colour of a wart, mole or birthmark. By checking your skin regularly, you become familiar with its normal appearance. If you notice any changes contact your doctor to arrange an evaluation.
Reduce your chances of getting skin cancer by avoiding standing in the sunshine between 10am and 3pm. If you have to be in the sun at this time use a water repellent sunscreen with at least SPF15 or higher and re-apply frequently during peak sun hours or after swimming. Waterproof sunscreens provide protection for about 80 minutes in the water. Wear hats and loose clothing and use a sun umbrella.
No matter what skin colour you have, you can still be diagnosed with skin cancer, although people with fair or red hair and pale skin should take particular care, and so should those with moles or freckles. Many people forget that you can still get sun burnt through light cloud or through shallow water as well as reflection from water, sand or snow.
|
 |
|
