Tans, Sunshine and Skin Cancer
Sunshine makes us feel good. Most of
us like a tan as it makes us look good
and more healthy. One problem is
that sunlight makes our skin age
quicker. The UV (ultraviolet) light of
sunshine may give us the vitamin D
we need that can reduce the risk of
brittle bones and some cancers, but
the sun is also considered to be one
of the major causes of skin cancer.
Each year more men than women die
from skin cancer. The problem is men
ignore skin changes and moles more
than women. Here are some facts
about skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Statistics
The American Academy of
Dermatology (2006) estimates that 1
million Americans will develop skin
cancer this year
1 in 5 Americans will develop some
form of skin cancer during their
lifetime
World-wide the incidence of
melanoma is nearly doubling every
10-20 years in countries with white
populations
An estimated 10,710 people will die
of skin cancer. 7,910 from melanoma
and 2,800 from other skin cancers
A person's risk of skin cancer
doubles if he or she has had five or
more sunburns
The American Cancer Society
estimates that in the USA (2006) there
will be 62,190 new cases of
melanoma
In the UK 1,777 people, 1,002 men,
die from melanoma each year
Older Caucasian males have the
highest mortality rates from
melanoma.
There are a number of different types
of skin cancer. There are 2 classes -
nonmelanoma skin cancers and
melanoma. The skin cancer types are
basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous
cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Freckles and Skin Damage
Freckles, more common in people
with fair complexions, are always
darker than their surrounding skin as
they are deposits of a dark pigment
called melanin. Freckles can be red,
yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or
black.
Are freckles a sign of skin damage?
Well, yes they are. Freckles are a
warning sign that your skin does not
like the sun light. The best way of
preventing sun damage is to apply
high factor sunscreens and to wear a
hat.
Sun Damage is Not Reversible
The bad news is sun damage is not
reversible. If you have spent a lot of
time tanning in the sun or have not
used protective clothing or sunscreens
in the past there is nothing you can
do about the skin damage you already
have. The only thing you can do is be
responsive to skin changes and seek
advice on freckles and moles that
change shape and/or color. The
American Academy of Dermatology
has warned that there is an
unrecognized epidemic of skin cancer
in the United States.
Skin color, Racial Groups and Skin
Cancer
People of color have increased
melanin in their skin. That protects
them from the damaging effects of
sunlight and so the numbers of
people who are diagnosed with skin
cancer are fewer.
Melanoma is diagnosed more often in
whites than in African Americans. A
study in the Journal of Surgical
Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 – 16)
showed that when African Americans
develop the disease they have higher
mortality rates. Melanoma is often
diagnosed late in nonwhites.African
Americans have a 45% survival rate at
five years compared to 69% in whites.
In African Americans lesions show up
on the extremities, especially the soles
of feet or palms of the hands. What is
important about this is that
melanoma' s therefore are not the
result of sun exposure.
How Successful are Skin Cancer
Treatments?
Both basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma have over a
95% five-year cure rate if detected and
treated early. Melanoma's, if they are
treated before becoming invasive, also
have a 95% cure rate. Melanoma is
the most serious form of skin cancer.
The key to successful treatment is
early detection. If you notice changes
in your skin, a mole develops or
changes shape or looks different, then
see your doctor. Do not ignore it and
hope it goes away. That could be
deadly.
Article Sources: Journal of Surgical
Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 – 16), The
American Academy of Dermatology
American Cancer Society
National Institutes of Health
Ethnic Skin: A Spectrum of Issues
Barbara A. Burrall, MD
Sunshine makes us feel good. Most of
us like a tan as it makes us look good
and more healthy. One problem is
that sunlight makes our skin age
quicker. The UV (ultraviolet) light of
sunshine may give us the vitamin D
we need that can reduce the risk of
brittle bones and some cancers, but
the sun is also considered to be one
of the major causes of skin cancer.
Each year more men than women die
from skin cancer. The problem is men
ignore skin changes and moles more
than women. Here are some facts
about skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Statistics
The American Academy of
Dermatology (2006) estimates that 1
million Americans will develop skin
cancer this year
1 in 5 Americans will develop some
form of skin cancer during their
lifetime
World-wide the incidence of
melanoma is nearly doubling every
10-20 years in countries with white
populations
An estimated 10,710 people will die
of skin cancer. 7,910 from melanoma
and 2,800 from other skin cancers
A person's risk of skin cancer
doubles if he or she has had five or
more sunburns
The American Cancer Society
estimates that in the USA (2006) there
will be 62,190 new cases of
melanoma
In the UK 1,777 people, 1,002 men,
die from melanoma each year
Older Caucasian males have the
highest mortality rates from
melanoma.
There are a number of different types
of skin cancer. There are 2 classes -
nonmelanoma skin cancers and
melanoma. The skin cancer types are
basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous
cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Freckles and Skin Damage
Freckles, more common in people
with fair complexions, are always
darker than their surrounding skin as
they are deposits of a dark pigment
called melanin. Freckles can be red,
yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or
black.
Are freckles a sign of skin damage?
Well, yes they are. Freckles are a
warning sign that your skin does not
like the sun light. The best way of
preventing sun damage is to apply
high factor sunscreens and to wear a
hat.
Sun Damage is Not Reversible
The bad news is sun damage is not
reversible. If you have spent a lot of
time tanning in the sun or have not
used protective clothing or sunscreens
in the past there is nothing you can
do about the skin damage you already
have. The only thing you can do is be
responsive to skin changes and seek
advice on freckles and moles that
change shape and/or color. The
American Academy of Dermatology
has warned that there is an
unrecognized epidemic of skin cancer
in the United States.
Skin color, Racial Groups and Skin
Cancer
People of color have increased
melanin in their skin. That protects
them from the damaging effects of
sunlight and so the numbers of
people who are diagnosed with skin
cancer are fewer.
Melanoma is diagnosed more often in
whites than in African Americans. A
study in the Journal of Surgical
Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 – 16)
showed that when African Americans
develop the disease they have higher
mortality rates. Melanoma is often
diagnosed late in nonwhites.African
Americans have a 45% survival rate at
five years compared to 69% in whites.
In African Americans lesions show up
on the extremities, especially the soles
of feet or palms of the hands. What is
important about this is that
melanoma' s therefore are not the
result of sun exposure.
How Successful are Skin Cancer
Treatments?
Both basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma have over a
95% five-year cure rate if detected and
treated early. Melanoma's, if they are
treated before becoming invasive, also
have a 95% cure rate. Melanoma is
the most serious form of skin cancer.
The key to successful treatment is
early detection. If you notice changes
in your skin, a mole develops or
changes shape or looks different, then
see your doctor. Do not ignore it and
hope it goes away. That could be
deadly.
Article Sources: Journal of Surgical
Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 – 16), The
American Academy of Dermatology
American Cancer Society
National Institutes of Health
Ethnic Skin: A Spectrum of Issues
Barbara A. Burrall, MD
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