Skin Cancer

What is Cancer?

• Occurs when cells in a body part begin to grow out of control and crowd out normal cells.

• Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers.Most skin cancers are:

• slow-growing

• easy to recognize

• relatively easy to treat when detected early

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, mostly from the sun but also from tanning beds.

Two Types of Skin Cancer

1. Non-Melanomas – (most common skin cancers)

– Include Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Cancers

– Can be fast or slow growing, but rarely spread

– Found on sun exposed parts of body like the head and neck

– This year approximately 2,940 people will die from non-

melanoma skin cancer

•Commonest skin cancer in Caucasian population.•Major cause is sun exposure•Common sites on face and trunk•Not metastatic

Basal cell carcinomas

• Second most common skin cancer in Caucasian population

• Caused by the sun exposure-chronic sun exposures

• Most at risk are those with pale skin who burn in the sun

• Commonest in sun exposed area• Pre-cancerous lesion is the solar keratosis• Metastatic potential- to regional lymph

nodes, then liver, lungs etc.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

• Second most common cancer to affect young women

• Can occur anywhere on the body

• Less common, but more serious

• Almost always curable when detected early

• More likely to spread to other parts of body

• This year approximately 8,650 people will die from melanoma

• High metastatic potential- local, lymph nodes, lung liver and brain  

Melanomas

Causes of Skin Cancer

SandSEA

1. Ultraviolet light and other potential

causes- ultraviolet (UV) radiation

found in sunlight and in the lights

used in tanning beds.

2. Being exposed to toxic substances

3. Tanning

What is Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation?

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of invisible energy given off by the sun

UV rays are divided into 3 wavelength ranges:

1. UVA Rays, causes long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but also play a role in some skin cancers.

2. UVB Rays, direct damage to DNA, these rays cause sunburns, cause most skin cancers.

3. UVC Rays, do not penetrate atmosphere, not present in sunlight.

There are NO safe UV Rays!

Ultraviolet Spectrum

100-280 280-210 310-400

UVC UVB UVA

X rays Visible

There is no evidence that tanning in a bed is any safer than tanning in

the sun -- in fact, some tanning beds release much stronger UV light

than the sun does. There is a 75% increase in risk for melanoma among

those who first use tanning beds in their teens and early twenties.

Tanning beds

13

What About Tanning Products?

Tanning Pills• The additives are distributed throughout the body, especially the skin, turning it an orange-like color. 

• They are not approved for use as tanning agents and may be harmful.

Tanning Accelerators• Such as lotions or pills that contain the amino acid tyrosine or its derivatives, are not effective and may be dangerous. 

 Bronzers and Extenders• Not considered harmful when used properly. These products do not protect against UV exposure.

Symptoms and Detection of Skin Cancer

• Basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers are most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms, but they can occur elsewhere.

• Look for new growths, spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don't heal after 2 to 3 months.

Signs and Symptoms

Melanoma• Change in the size, shape or color of a mole, such as:• Signs that a mole’s border is becoming more ragged• Spread of pigmentation beyond its border

Signs and Symptoms

Use ABCD Rule to Spot Melanoma

A (Asymmetry) one portion of the mole does not match the other

B (Border) edges are irregular, notched, or blurred

C (Color) different shades of black or brown, patchy colors

D (Diameter) spot is 6 mill imeters across, or growing larger

Asymmetry:

Border:

Color:

Diameter:

 

•Surgery Cryosurgery Laser Surgery Skin Grafting &

Reconstructive Surgery•Chemotherapy•Radiation Therapy

Treatment Options

Who can get Skin Cancer?

• Everyone

• Individuals who are lighter

skinned, have freckles, and have

blond, red, or light brown hair.

• Individuals who work outdoors and

or live in high altitudes (due to

increased UV rays).

• Prior treatment with immune

suppressing medicine.

• Excessive exposure to light from

tanning lamps, booths or sunlight

Precaution for skin cancerLimit your sun exposure during 10am-4pm

Cover up your skin, especially your arms and legs.

Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect eyes, ears, and face.

Wear wrap-around sunglasses.

Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and be sure to re-apply.

Avoid artificial sources of UV light (tanning beds)

Early Detections

20

•Face the mirror: 

Check your face, ears, neck, chest, and belly. Women will need to lift breasts to check the skin underneath.

Check the underarm areas, both sides of the arms, the tops and bottoms of your hands, in between your fingers, and fingernail beds.

Early Detections

22

Sit DownCheck the front of your thighs, shins, tops of your feet, in between your toes, and toenail beds.

Early Detections

23

You will need a hand mirror for your thighs, back, and scalp.

Now look at the bottoms of your feet, your calves, and the backs of your thighs, first checking one leg and then the other.

Early Detections

Three Things to Remember:

Nearly all skin cancers are preventable by limiting unprotected exposure to the sun.Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if detected early – even melanoma.When out in the sun, seek shade and “Slip! Slop! Slap! Wrap!” 

 Slip on a shirt Slop on SPF 15+ sunscreen Slap on a hat Wrap on sunglasses

Thanks for Listening

Prepared By:Jenine Decena

Lara Mae Dela CruzChristine Sarzuelo