Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is more common in people with light colored skin who have spent a lot of time in the sun. Skin cancer can occur anywhere on your body, but it is most common in places that have been exposed to more sunlight, such as your face, neck, hands, and arms. Take extra care to protect babies and children from the sun. Studies show that one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager could increase the risk for melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer.

Signs and symptoms of skin cancer

Skin cancer can look many different ways. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won't heal. Sometimes there may be a small lump. This lump can be smooth, shiny and waxy looking, or it can be red or reddish brown. Skin cancer may also appear as a flat red spot that is rough or scaly. Not all changes in your skin are cancer, but you should see your health care provider if you notice changes in your skin.

Like most cancers, skin cancer is best treated when it is found (diagnosed) early. If you have a spot or lump on your skin, your clinician may remove the growth and look at the tissue under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy can usually be done in your doctor's office. Before the biopsy, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area for a short period of time.

The treatment options

Most non-melanoma skin cancers can be cured. Your chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the type of skin cancer you have and how far it has spread. There are treatments for all patients with skin cancer. Three kinds of treatments are used: surgery (removing the cancer), chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells), and radiation therapy (using x-rays to kill cancer cells). Biological therapy (using your body's immune system to fight cancer) is being tested in clinical trials.

The importance of the UV Index

The UV Index is a number from 0 to 10+ that indicates the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface during the hour around noon. The higher the number, the greater your exposure to UV radiation if you go outdoors. The National Weather Service forecasts the UV Index daily in 58 U.S. cities, based on local conditions. Don't be fooled by cloudy skies. Clouds block only as much as 20 percent of UV radiation. UV radiation also can pass through water, so don't assume you're safe from UV radiation if you're in the water and feeling cool. Also, be especially careful on the beach and in the snow because sand and snow reflect sunlight and increase the amount of UV radiation you receive.

People with darker skin will resist the sun's rays by tanning, which is actually an indication that the skin has been injured. Tanning occurs when ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the skin, and causes an increase in the activity and number of melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin. Melanin helps to block out damaging rays up to a point.

Those with lighter skin are more likely to burn. Too much sun exposure in a short period results in sunburn. Sunburn causes skin redness, tenderness, pain, swelling, and blistering. Although there is no quick cure, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using wet compresses, cool baths, bland moisturizers, and over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. If sunburn becomes a more serious problem with fever, chills, upset stomach, and confusion, call your health care provider.

Risk reduction

1. Avoid too much sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen.

In general, avoid the sun. These measures are especially important between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Also avoid the sun when the UV Index is high in your area.

2. Use sunscreen with labels stating "sunscreen" or "sunblock."

These should be applied approximately 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. It should be applied evenly on all exposed skin, including lips, nose, ears, neck, scalp (if hair is thinning), hands, feet, and eyelids, although care should be taken not to get it in the eyes because it can irritate them. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.

Sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than 6 months because their bodies may not be developed enough to handle sunscreen chemicals. Instead, use hats, clothing and shading to protect small babies from the sun. If you think your baby may need a sunscreen, check with your pediatrician.

3. Wear a hat.

4. Wear sunglasses.

Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses don't have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Check the label to see that they do. If there's no label, don't buy the glasses. And, don't go by how dark the glasses are because UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. You may want to put sunscreen on the eyelids and around the eyes, too, even if you're wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent UV rays from getting into the eyes; they won't help protect the skin around them.

5. Cover up.

Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, pants or long skirts as much as possible when in the sun. Most materials and colors absorb or reflect UV rays. Tightly woven cloth is best.Avoid wearing wet clothes, such as a wet T-shirt, because when clothes get wet, the sun's rays can more easily pass through. If you see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too.

6. Avoid artificial tanning with tanning beds that emit ultraviolet light.

7. Check your skin regularly.

You can improve your chances of finding pre-cancerous skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis--a dry, scaly, reddish, and slightly raised lesion--and skin cancer by performing simple skin self-exams regularly. The earlier you identify signs and see your clinician, the greater the chances for successful treatment.

The best time to do skin exams is after a shower or bath. Get used to your birthmarks, moles and blemishes so that you know what they usually look like and then can easily identify any changes they undergo. Signs to look for are changes in size, texture, shape, and color of blemishes or a sore that does not heal.