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Health Tips
Skin Cancer
The ABCDs of Skin Cancer
American Academy of Dermatology
Who doesn't love to spend time playing in the sunshine? We all do! If you spend too much time in the sun, though (especially if you're not wearing sunscreen), you could be at risk for getting skin cancer. Most people think that "cancer" is a scary word. But your doctor can treat and cure most types of skin cancer, as long as you catch it early. Remember it's important to use sunscreen when you're outside, avoid the mid-day sun, cover up, and to check your skin for changes every month or two.
The three types of skin cancer:
Each of the three different kinds of skin cancer looks a little different. Some are red and blotchy sores, other types look like clear bumps.
- Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer. If you catch it early, it's very likely that your doctor can cure it.
What it looks like: A pearly bump that sometimes won't heal. It can also look like a sore that won't heal.
Who could get it: Anyone can get basal cell carcinoma, especially those people who have been out in the sun a lot.
How it's treated: Your dermatologist can remove a basal cell carcinoma usually with a simple office procedure.
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common skin cancer. It is also likely that your doctor can cure it if you find it early. But squamous cell carcinoma can spread (and some people die from it if it spreads) if you don't treat it early.
What it looks like: A crusty, scaly patch with a hard surface.
Who could get it: Anyone can get squamous cell carcinoma, especially those people who have been out in the sun a lot.
How it's treated: Your dermatologist can remove this kind of skin cancer usually with a simple office procedure.
- Melanoma
Although melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is the most dangerous. People can die from melanoma. If you have a family history of this skin cancer, you could get it even if you've never been out in the sun.
What it looks like: Usually a dark mole, sometimes with an uneven edge. The color and size may change as time passes.
Who could get it: Anyone-especially those with fair skin, people who have had lots of blistering sunburns when they were kids, or people with a family history of melanoma.
How it's treated: A dermatologist cuts the cancer out of your skin. (If the cancer is caught early, the dermatologist will need to cut away less skin.) If the cancer has spread, you may need other treatments, too.
Statistics
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- More than 1 million cases of basal cell or squamous cell cancer will be diagnosed in 2002.
- Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can cause substantial illness and, if untreated, can cause considerable damage and disfigurement. If detected and treated early, however, these carcinomas have a cure rate of more than 95%.
- Melanoma is the most common cancer among people 25 to 29 years old.
- The most serious form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is expected to be diagnosed in 53,600 persons in 2002.
- Malignant melanoma causes more than 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. This disease can spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs and liver. Malignant melanoma diagnosed at an early stage usually can be cured, but melanoma diagnosed at a late stage is more likely to spread and cause death.
Are You at Risk?
American Academy of Dermatology
Some people get skin cancer even if they've never spent time in the sun. You need to be especially careful to check your skin if you:
- have light hair and skin
- freckle and burn easily
- have a family member who's had skin cancer
- spent a lot of time in the sun throughout your life
- had blistering sunburns as a youngster
- have blue, green or gray eyes
Others at Risk...
CDC - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - Cancer Prevention and Control - The National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program
- Fair to light skin complexion.
- Family history of skin cancer.
- Personal history of skin cancer.
- Chronic exposure to the sun.
- History of sunburns early in life.
- Atypical moles.
- A large number of moles.
- Freckles (an indicator of sun sensitivity and sun damage).
How to Do a Skin Check
American Cancer Society
Dermatologists recommend doing a skin check monthly, so you'll be more likely to notice small changes and even find a skin cancer when it's still small. People with darker skin tones, such as African Americans, need to check their palms, fingernails and feet carefully.
The best time to examine your skin is after a shower or bath. Check yourself in a well-lighted room using both a full-length mirror, and a hand-held mirror. Become familiar with 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. If you find any changes, see your doctor or health care provider. Also, during regular checkups, ask your doctor to check your skin.
ABCD Rule to Check Moles and Birthmarks
American Cancer Society
The ABCD rule is a convenient guide to the usual signs of melanoma. Be on the lookout and notify your doctor about any changes in the following factors:
- A is for ASYMMETRY: Half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
- B is for BORDER: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- C is for COLOR The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue.
- D is for DIAMETER: The area is larger than 6 millimeters (about 0.25 inch -- the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger.
The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color over a period of one month to one or two years.
Tips for Correct Use of Sunscreen
American Cancer Society
For maximum effectiveness, apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Be generous and use a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. About one ounce of sunscreen should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of the average adult. Less is needed for a child. For best results, most sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating heavily.
If swimming or perspiring, don't forget to reapply sunscreen to maintain protection. Remember that sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry.
Ways to Protect Your Skin
American Cancer Society
Slip! Slop! Slap! … and Then Wrap is a catch phrase for kids that works well for adults too. It reminds people to use four key methods to protect themselves. Slip! on a shirt, Slop! on sunscreen, Slap! on a hat.
ACS also encourages people to "Wrap on sunglasses" when outdoors to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light.
Tips from Dermatologists
American Academy of Dermatology
(PARENTS, hang this page on your fridge.)
- Watch the clock. Try to limit the amount of time you're in direct sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Make a statement with shades, hat, and a wild T-shirt. A cool pair of UVA/UVB blocking sunglasses protects your eyes like nothing else. As for your hat, if you get really hot, dunk it in water, then pull it on (but make sure it's a wide brimmed hat). Of course, a long-sleeve T-shirt is a must for summer fun.
- Block the sun year round. It's possible to burn all year (that includes cloudy and snowy days). So whether you're walking to school or outside playing don't forget to block the sun, to have fun year round!
- Use a sunblock with an SPF of at least 15. If you have fair skin, light-colored eyes and hair, freckles, or spend a lot of time outside, use an SPF 30 or higher. Apply sunblock 15 minutes before you go out. Reapply after prolonged swimming, vigorous activity, sweating, or toweling off.
- Remember your ears, nose, neck and hands. They may seem small but they can burn big time. Always cover these areas with sunblock.
- "Waterproof" your skin. If you're spending a day at the beach or at the pool, cover up with waterproof sunblock. After swimming, toweling off, sweating, and/or vigorous activity, be sure to reapply sunblock.
- Share your sun smarts! Parents and kids help each other remember to follow the Block the Sun, Not the Fun tips all year long!
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