Each year, approximately 132,000 melanoma skin
cancers occur globally, melanoma -also known as malignant
melanoma, is a type of cancer
that develops from the pigment-containing cells known as melanocytes, thus melanomas
take place typically in the skin.
Melanoma is the least common but the
most dangerous type of skin cancer; affecting an estimation of 85,000 people
within US alone and causing the death of about 10,000 people yearly. Additionally,
more than 4 million new non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed each year
around the world, with 3 million cases are diagnosed each year in US —either
basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.
If this quick summary seems
terrifying, you should know that skin cancer is the most common cancer
diagnosis worldwide, and it is the most preventable malignant tumor, which
makes a clear paradox how our daily behaviors could mean the difference between
life and death.
Most skin cancer cases are caused
by repetitive and continuous damage from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, other
implicated causes are: Smoking tobacco, HPV infections (increase the risk of
squamous-cell skin cancer).
some genetic syndromes like congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome (which is discernible by the
presence of nevi birthmarks or moles of different size present at birth), long exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-rays, environmental carcinogens, artificial UV radiation (e.g. tanning
beds) without forgetting aging and light skin color are also implied as risk
factors.
As we said, the best news about
skin cancer is that there are several simple things you can do to
protect against it, be sure to follow all these tips –or at least those who
suit you the best to protect your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays and
decrease your risk of developing a skin cancer.
The major key for skin cancer prevention is the protection from ultraviolet
(UV) radiation all year round, which means during all seasons, not just for the
duration of the summer or at the beach. You may not know that UV rays from the
sun can reach your skin on cloudy or even foggy days, as well as sunny days. UV
rays can also be reflected off of many surfaces like slow, water and sand.
Seek shade: remember to stay in the
shade, especially during midday hours; the sun’s rays are strongest
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. These hours are the most hazardous for UV exposure
outside. UV rays from sunlight are at the maximum during the late spring and
early summer. Here is a smart trick, if your shadow appears to be shorter than
you are, seek shade.
Wear protective clothing: remember also to wear clothing that covers mostly your body, your arms
and legs, such as a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, pants and sunglasses, when
possible. Clothing is an available and usual option to minimize UV effects on
your skin.
Don’t forget about you face, face skin is exposed repetitively to UV
rays; wear a hat with a wide brim to shade completely your face, head, and
neck.
Apply a
sunscreen with broad-spectrum (provides protection from both UVA
and UVB rays) water-resistant and an SPF (sun
protection factor) of 30 or higher. Sunscreens are an effective
way in the fight against skin damaging and skin cancer, yet not every sunscreen
in the market is safe or effective against UV rays, remember that SPF 30 is the
minimum, the higher you go the better the results are.
Apply sunscreen generously whenever you are going outside, even on gloomy
days. Apply enough sunscreen to cover essentially all exposed skin. Most people
need about a shot glass to fully cover the body, and reapply it every two hours or
after swimming or sweating. One important thing, your face is important but don’t forget about some
other places like your neck, your hands and your ears.
Avoid indoor tanning: Indoor tanning (using a
tanning bed, sunlamp, or booth to get tan) exposes the users to high UV
radiation and can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Check yourself monthly: This method is the best for early
detection of skin cancers. Use a hand mirror or a full-length mirror to practice
a head-to-toe self-examination once a month in a well-lighted room. You can ask
a partner to check your back if you can’t reach it peaceably. When examining, look
for anything suspicious or abnormal— a mole that has grown on surface, changer
it color or it surf, any noticed modification must lead to doctor immediately.
Get screened once per year: Take a skin cancer screening at
least once per year, or as often as recommended by your doctor, depending on
your risk and your family history and cancerous diseases. Some dermatologists
may take photos of atypical moles to track them, which could be so crucial especially
for small changes that often go unnoticed.
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