The number of skin cancer cases detected has been increasing in the last few years. There are different types. A simple classification divides them into two groups: melanoma and non-melanoma.
Nowadays, the most frequent neoplasm among white people in the USA is skin cancer, and many epidermal researches confirm this fact in many other countries worldwide.
Society has historically not given much importance to cutaneous pathologies against other health problems such as the cardiovascular or respiratory systems, etc… It is important to be aware that skin cancer can damage the quality of life and even kill.
The most important element of risk lies within the sun's rays. It is a fragment of the light that we receive from the sun that is known as ultraviolet rays (RUV). They are divided into UVA, UVB and UVC. The last one does not reach the earth thanks to the filters existing in the atmosphere.
The UVB bond has for many years been known to damage the skin cells. The effect can cause a precocious cutaneous aging (photoaging), that becomes apparent in the form of wrinkles, cutaneous stains (solar lentigo) and loss of elasticity. The damage in the DNA of the skin cells can be so serious as to produce skin cancer.
The epidermal researches and probes on laboratory animals seem to show that chronic exposure to the sun's rays increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, whereas occasional but intense exposure could increase the risk of suffering melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.
Clear skins, with less probability of suntan, are the most sensitive to solar radiation.
The melanoma is one of the neoplasms that cause the highest mortality rate affecting the human race. Clinically, it might seem a "mole", but as it is cancer, it provides us with a number of clues that can help us for an early detection. For many years the dermatologists have shown our patients the rule "ABCDE":
A. asymmetry of the silhouette
B. borders are irregular
C. colours: two or more
D. diameter 6 mm
E. evolution or changes in short periods of time
The last of these rules is the most important, that is, the changing characteristics of a mole in a brief period of time. This rule helps us in an early detection of the tumour, when it is not well developed, helping to increase life expectancy. It is also important to remember that it is advisable to consult a dermatologist when a "new mole" appears after the age of 40-45 years in order to eliminate its malignant nature.
To detect other types of skin cancer, patients should be alert to new injuries, especially in the areas more frequently exposed to the sun, that grow or ulcerate.
It is a common recommendation for the patients at the dermatological clinic to go to the family doctor as soon as they are unsure about the nature of a cutaneous injury, without waiting until "it keeps growing".
The most important measure that we can take in order to avoid the harmful consequences of the sun's rays on the skin, is photoprotection, which not only consists of using sun protection cream. The main recommendations that we give at the consultancy are:
• To avoid direct exposure to the sun between 12:00 and 16:00. It is advisable to stay in the shade.
• In the months of higher exposure to the sun it is advisable to use long sleeved clothes and avoid short trousers.
• Patients with thinning hair or alopecia should wear a hat or a peaked cap.
• Suntan creams should have a minimum protection rate of 30.
• Creams should be applied 30 minutes before starting the sun exposure.
• It is advisable to reapply the creams every 2-4 hours, since they lose the effectiveness after this time.
• Protecting from the sun does not affect the cutaneous vitamin D synthesis.
It is well known that exposure to the sun is essential for the vitamin D synthesis, necessary in the phosphocalcic metabolism. But the main source of this vitamin comes through the diet, it is not correct that a daily moderate exposure to the sun would provide us with acceptable levels of vitamin D.
It is estimated that 10-15 minutes of midday sun exposure on the cheeks is more than enough. Since many UV sun beds have been manufactured and are often offered in suntan establishments and gyms, it must be pointed out that, although they have been advertised as UVA lamps, they also emit UVB radiation. The amount of UVA produced can be even 15 times more intense than the sun's rays, and the strength of UVB is similar to solar radiation.
There are several studies with laboratory animals, that prove that the exposure to UVB causes squamous cell carcinoma.
Regarding basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, different epidermic researches suggest a causal relationship with the artificial suntan. Therefore, from the point of view of dermatologists, it is more advisable to use creams rather than suntan lamps.
And finally, we would like to remind you to go to the dermatologist if you have any skin disorder and you are not sure about its nature.
Dr. Antonio Ramírez Andreo – Service Dermatology H.G.U Reina Sofía
The information published in this media neither substitutes nor complements in any way the direct supervision of a doctor, his diagnosis or the treatment that he may prescribe. It should also not be used for self-diagnosis.
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ASSSA advises you to always consult your doctor about any issue concerning your health.
