SKIN CANCERSKIN CANCER

CHAPTER 3 PRESENTATIONCHAPTER 3 PRESENTATION

SAMSON VASSAMSON VAS

Skin cancerSkin cancer is the most common form of is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. on the head, face, neck, hands and arms.

Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. more dangerous but less common.

Risk factors for skin cancerRisk factors for skin cancer

Fair skin Fair skin Age 50 or older, although the damage from Age 50 or older, although the damage from

excess sun exposure starts in childhood and excess sun exposure starts in childhood and accumulates through out life accumulates through out life

Living in the South where the sun is more intense Living in the South where the sun is more intense Regularly outside during the midday sun (10 am Regularly outside during the midday sun (10 am

to 4 pm) when the sun exposure is most intense to 4 pm) when the sun exposure is most intense Skin is usually unprotected when exposed to the Skin is usually unprotected when exposed to the

sun sun Family history of melanoma Family history of melanoma History of severe sunburn in childhood History of severe sunburn in childhood Have many moles and freckles Have many moles and freckles

Skin PhototypeSkin Phototype

The risk of developing skin cancer among other The risk of developing skin cancer among other factors highly depends on your skin type. In 1975, factors highly depends on your skin type. In 1975, Fitzpatrick, a respected dermatologist created a Fitzpatrick, a respected dermatologist created a standard for classifying individuals according to standard for classifying individuals according to their skin color and burning and tanning their skin color and burning and tanning responses to sun light exposure. Basically a low responses to sun light exposure. Basically a low number means a higher risk. number means a higher risk.

However, there are people with skin type 3 who However, there are people with skin type 3 who develop skin cancer and even people with develop skin cancer and even people with naturally dark skin can also develop skin cancer.naturally dark skin can also develop skin cancer.

Skin Phototype Skin Phototype

ABCDEs of melanoma skin cancerABCDEs of melanoma skin cancer

Examples of skin cancerExamples of skin cancer

Types of skin cancerTypes of skin cancer

Strategies for preventing skin cancerStrategies for preventing skin cancer Limit exposure of the skin to intense, midday sun (10 Limit exposure of the skin to intense, midday sun (10

am to 4 pm) am to 4 pm) When in bright sun wear protective clothing (hat, long When in bright sun wear protective clothing (hat, long

sleeves) and wear sun block (SPF 15-30). Pay special sleeves) and wear sun block (SPF 15-30). Pay special attention to your head, a bald spot, top of your ears, attention to your head, a bald spot, top of your ears, nose, hands, and arms. You may need to reapply nose, hands, and arms. You may need to reapply sunscreen occasionally if it washes off or wears off with sunscreen occasionally if it washes off or wears off with activity or swimming. activity or swimming.

Be aware of the signs of skin cancer so if it develops Be aware of the signs of skin cancer so if it develops you can spot it early and get it treated. you can spot it early and get it treated.

If high risk, check your skin surfaces monthly and ask If high risk, check your skin surfaces monthly and ask your doctor to look over your skin for possible your doctor to look over your skin for possible development of skin cancers or suspicious lesions development of skin cancers or suspicious lesions yearly. yearly.

There is some preliminary evidence that avoiding a There is some preliminary evidence that avoiding a high fat diet may be beneficial in reducing the risk for high fat diet may be beneficial in reducing the risk for skin cancer. skin cancer.

Detecting skin cancerDetecting skin cancer

Skin cancer warning signs:Skin cancer warning signs:

A new growth or a sore that doesn't heal in two weeks. A new growth or a sore that doesn't heal in two weeks. A smooth shiny, pale, or waxy lump. A smooth shiny, pale, or waxy lump. A firm red lump, sometimes with bleeding or a crusty A firm red lump, sometimes with bleeding or a crusty

surface. surface. A flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly. A flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly. A mole that has one half shaped differently from the A mole that has one half shaped differently from the

other half. other half. A growth with an irregular border and/or containing A growth with an irregular border and/or containing

colors that can include black, tan, blue, white, or red. colors that can include black, tan, blue, white, or red. A growth that is larger than six millimeters (the size of A growth that is larger than six millimeters (the size of

a pencil eraser). a pencil eraser).