Skin Cancer Information

Summary | Risk Factors
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Additional information about skin cancer research is available at the Arizona Cancer Center 's clinical trials website.

Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. However, scientists have studied general patterns of cancer in the population to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives may increase our chance of developing cancer.

Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor; anything that decreases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a protective factor. Some of the risk factors for cancer can be avoided, but many cannot. For example, although you can choose to quit smoking, you cannot choose which genes you have inherited from your parents. Both smoking and inheriting specific genes could be considered risk factors for certain kinds of cancer, but only smoking can be avoided. Prevention means avoiding the risk factors and increasing the protective factors that can be controlled so that the chance of developing cancer decreases.

Although many risk factors can be avoided, it is important to keep in mind that avoiding risk factors does not guarantee that you will not get cancer. Also, most people with a particular risk factor for cancer do not actually get the disease. Some people are more sensitive than others are to factors that can cause cancer. Talk to your doctor about methods of preventing cancer that might be effective for you.

 

Purposes of this summary

The purposes of this summary on skin cancer prevention are to:

• Give information on skin cancer and how often it occurs.
• Describe skin cancer prevention methods.
• Give current facts about which people or groups of people would most likely be helped by following skin cancer prevention methods.

You can talk to your doctor or health care professional about cancer prevention methods and whether they would be likely to help you.

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Skin cancer

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (together referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer), and melanoma. The outer layer of the skin is made up of squamous cells. Basal cells are found below the squamous cells. Melanocytes are in the deepest layer of epidermis. Melanoma develops from melanocytes.

Actinic Keratosis is a precancerous lesion often mistaken for a patch of dry skin that won't go away. Actinic keratoses are small, scaly spots that measure anywhere from one-quarter inch to one inch in diameter. They are slightly raised and can be tan, brown, gray or red. If left untreated, they occasionally can become cancerous.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a tumor that appears either as a slow-growing, fleshy, translucent bump on the head, neck or hands, or more rarely as a flat growth on the trunk of the body. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common skin cancers in Caucasians, and though they are rarely life-threatening, they should be treated immediately.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a red, scaly patch typically found on the rim of the ear, the face, the lips and mouth. This tumor may spread to other parts of the body or develop into large masses. With early detection and treatment, almost all squamous cell carcinomas can be cured.

Malignant Melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancers. Melanoma may appear without warning or it may begin in or near a mole or dark spot on the skin. This cancer can strike both light- and dark-skinned people. Melanoma often begins as a light-brown to black, flat blemish with irregular borders. It is usually at least one-quarter inch, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. Melanomas may turn red, blue or white and they might also crust and bleed. In women, melanomas commonly appear on the arms and legs, while men are more likely to develop them on the back. Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 24 to 29 years. It is second to breast cancer in women ages 30 to 34 years.

Significance of skin cancer

One third of all new cancers are skin cancers. In the United States , a new case of skin cancer is discovered every minute. More than 900,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. In Arizona , skin cancer rates are even higher. Arizonans are three to seven times more more likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancer, and we develop melanomas twice as often as residents of other states. The good news is skin cancer prevention and early detection are easy. If caught early, precancers and most skin cancers are curable.

Skin cancer prevention

A suntan is NOT a sign of health. It is your skin's response to ultraviolet (UV) damage.

2. The UV portion of sunlight causes many skin cancers. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt. It can damage your skin by penetrating the cells and changing them.

3. There are two types of ultraviolet light from the sun - UVA and UVB. UVA damages the deeper layers of your skin. UVB damages the top layer of your skin. Both UVA and UVB can cause reddening and burning. Sunscreens absorb or reflect the sun's burning rays. When you shop for sunscreens, read the labels carefully, and look for sunscreens with at least an SPF 15.

4. Ultraviolet rays reflect off water, cement, sand and snow. They can damage your skin on cloudy days, under water, and through car windows. Even under a hat, beach umbrella or a shade tree, you still need sunscreen.

5. Remember to protect your ears, lips, the back of your neck, your throat, the backs of your hands and the tops of your feet. (Don't forget any balding spots.)

6. Some antihistamines, antibiotics and other medicines can increase your sensitivity to the sun. Check the label, or ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Use sunscreen year-round . The sun's rays are especially intense in Arizona and other sunny climates and at high altitudes.

Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF number) of at least 15. With an SPF 15, most people are protected, even in summer, for about two and a half hours.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. The sunscreen needs time to react with your skin.

Reapply sunscreen when you are in the sun for long periods of time or if your sunscreen has washed off. Water resistant products are also available. (Consult your doctor, if the sunscreen causes an allergic reaction such as a skin rash or itching. There are many brands for sensitive skin.)

Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun's rays are most intense.

Cover up. Wear long sleeves and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection. Find shady spots.

Start early. Protect children's delicate skin with sunscreen, shade or protective clothing.

A recent study shows that using SPF 15 sunscreen during the first 18 years of life may reduce your risk of skin cancer later in life.

Help your children develop the sunscreen habit.

Watch for the warning signs. Be aware of any changes in your skin which you can't explain and which last for more than 30 days.

Know your moles. Look for new moles, and check old ones for any change in size, color, texture, shape or sensation.

Call your doctor if any of these warning signs appear.

Skin Cancer Screening-- Check your skin every month for changes

One of the best ways to detect melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is to know your moles. Melanoma often begins with a change in the size, height, shape, color, texture, or sensation of a mole. Other skin cancers and precancers develop gradually and do not develop in moles.

Check your skin regularly for any changes . Look for new moles and changes in the old ones. If you find something suspicious, see your doctor or a dermatologist as soon as possible. 

Use the `ABCD' rule to help you remember what to look for when examining your moles:

	Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
	Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
	Color: The color is not uniform.
	Diameter: The mole is greater than 6 millimeters (one quarter inch) in size.

Do a full-body skin check once a month . Periodic self-examinations of your skin can help you detect irregular moles before they develop into serious conditions. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any lesions, or sudden or progressive changes in your moles.

	Examine your skin in a brightly lit room using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. First, look at your front and back in the full-length mirror, then turn and look at each side of your body with your arms raised.
	Next, bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, the back of your upper arms and palms.
	Sitting down, check the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes and the bottoms of your feet.
	Using the hand mirror, look at the back of your neck and scalp, your back and buttocks.

For more information about skin cancer, please call the Arizona Sun Awareness Project, a skin cancer prevention and early detection project of the Arizona Cancer Center, at (520) 694-2873 in Tucson or 1-520-626-6044 elsewhere in the U.S.

 

 

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