The largest organ of the body, your skin is affected by one of the fastest growing categories of cancer in the United States – skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

Facts & Figures:

In 2004, it is expected that over one million new cases of skin will be diagnosed, more than all other cancers combined. This figure includes diagnosis of the most common and most curable types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell) and the most serious, and sometimes deadly, melanoma. Melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer among Western countries, with 54,200 new cases within the United States in 2003.    

Sun & Skin Cancer:

When UV rays bombard the skin, they ultimately damage the cell’s genetic material. Much of this structural damage is repaired, but when the repair mechanism is damaged or inadequate, the cells may begin to grow uncontrollably and cause a malignant tumor. Ultraviolet light is directly responsible for two types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Particularly severe sunburns in childhood are thought to be key risk factors. Overexposure to sunlight, and a history of blistering sunburns, are associated with the deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.

There are three types of radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight, UVA, UVB and UVC. These rays are categorized by their wavelength, which also determines how deeply the rays penetrate the skin.

UVA – called the “aging” ray, is the longest ultraviolet ray that penetrates down to the dermis. Most UVA rays pass through the ozone layer of the atmosphere to bombard the earth and your skin.

UVB – called the “burning” ray, is the middle length ray, mostly filtered by the ozone layer, however those that do reach the earth can penetrate the epidermis and permanently injure developing cells. While the world’s scientific experts debate the issue of ozone layer depletion – how much has it been depleted, what caused it, and what should be done to halt further damage – one thing remains clear: the depletion of the ozone layer over the past two decades has caused a 10% increase in the UVB rays reaching the earth’s surface.

UVC – rays are the shortest rays in the spectrum and they are totally absorbed by the ozone layer and do not injure the skin, however as the ozone layer depletes, we will learn more about the effects of UVC.

The facts and figures of this trend are ominous. In the United States alone, it is estimated that there will be 12 million additional skin cancer cases and 210,000 related deaths in the next 50 years, all attributed to the ozone layer depletion and increased UVB exposure. The United Nations estimates that there will be a 26% increase in skin cancer worldwide if the trend continues unabated.

By reading these facts, the logical question arises: what can I do to protect family, friends and myself from the harmful effects of sun exposure?

It is first and foremost important to reduce sun exposure, especially during the high-intensity periods of the day between 10am and 2pm. It is essential to get into the habit of using sunscreen daily, year ‘round, and take oral antioxidants on a daily basis. These are vital in preventing further sun damage and possibly skin cancer. A mild or moderate sunburn is painful and a severe sunburn can be life threatening. Moreover, repeated sunburns, even if only mild, may come back to haunt the sun worshipper years later – in the form of skin cancer. A sunburn is not something to be taken lightly, nor is tanning. Tanning is your body’s defense mechanism. There is nothing pretty about a sun tan or sunburn.

Second, as the majority of sun damage accumulates occurs before the age of 18, parents should be educated on the importance of daily sunscreen application on infants and small children. Applying sunscreen, and dressing children in hats and protective clothing as well as educating them, as they get older, will help in encouraging a healthy sun protection habit.

Even with the best intentions, and prevention methods, sun damage and skin cancer does occur. The most critical time for prevention is believed to be during the first 20 years of life, which means for most of us the damage has already been done. The good thing is a vast majority of skin cancers are not life-threatening and, if found early enough, are virtually 100% treatable. With the worldwide incidents of melanoma dramatically increasing, dermatological researchers have conducted increasingly extensive research into possible “predictors” of melanoma and warning signs that might allow melanoma to be successfully treated before it can become life threatening.

Should melanoma be diagnosed, the most effective form of treatment is surgical excision. However, prognosis is determined by the depth of the tumor and in certain cases, other forms of treatment such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy may be utilized. However, as stated above, in its early stages melanoma is almost always curable, which is why it is essential to know how to identify it. Know your A, B, C, D & E’s:

A is for asymmetry – the shape is irregular with one side different form the other

B is for border – typically notched or scalloped like an island with many inlets

C is for color – melanoma is usually dark, blue, black, red or brown, but tends to have more than one shade or color

D is for diameter – a growth measuring six millimeters or more, about the size of a pencil eraser merits concern

E is for elevation – a melanoma usually starts out flat but gradually becomes thicker and raised

Once you know your A, B, C, D & E’s, detecting potential skin cancers is easy. Give yourself a monthly skin self-exam. You should be familiar with their skin and the pattern of their moles, freckles, blemishes and birthmarks. You should also see a dermatologist or medical professional once a year for a routine skin check.

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