Skin cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of the skin. There are different types of skin cancer: non-melanoma cutaneous skin cancer and melanoma. This Saturday, June 13 is World Skin Cancer Prevention Day. Skin cancer can be prevented and detected early.
From DERMIK Dermatology Clinic, Top Doctors center of excellence and specialist in health and skin care, some tips are offered to prevent skin cancer. These are:
- Extreme protective measures in the case of young children. In children older than 6 months, sunscreen with a high protection factor should be used on a regular basis, and a cap should be worn.
- Do not expose to the sun between 12:00h and 16:00h.
- Protect skin and eyes with a cap, T-shirt and sunglasses.
- If blisters or pain appear after sun exposure and last for more than 2 days, the person is considered to have a severe sunburn.
- Sunscreen should be applied every two hours and should be of a high sun protection factor.
- Avoid using tanning booths.
Risk groups
People over 50 years of age or people who are exposed to the sun for long periods of time are the main risk groups for skin cancer. However, it can also affect young adults. People at increased risk also include those with multiple moles or atypical moles, fair skin with light eyes, history of sunburn, tanning bed use, history of family skin cancer, or those with a history of chemotherapy treatment or organ transplantation.
Types of skin cancer
There are different types of skin cancer: non-melanoma cutaneous skin cancer and melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer includes two types of cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, but the least aggressive. Epidermoid carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer but can be more aggressive, as depending on its location it can metastasize to lymph nodes. Both types usually appear in the areas of greatest sun exposure such as the face, hands and scalp in the case of men with baldness.
Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, although it is, nevertheless, the most aggressive, as it can metastasize to other organs at an early stage. This type of cancer can appear in any location on the body, as a new lesion or in an existing mole. Sometimes there is a family history or atypical nevus syndrome. This type of tumor must be detected in time to offer timely treatment, which in most cases is by surgery. In advanced cases it is necessary to perform a more complete treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or specific medications to prevent the growth and extension of the tumor.