Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Prevention and Early Detection
Table of Contents
- Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Prevention and Early Detection
- What is Skin Cancer?
- Your Risk Factors
- Recognising Different Types of Skin Cancer
- The Importance of Early Detection: Checking Your Skin
- Preventive Measures You Can Employ Against Skin Cancer
- When to Consult a Doctor
- Professional Skin Examinations
May is here again, and as it is skin cancer awareness month we thought an article might prompt some of you to take a minute to consider your skin health status. This month provides an opportunity to focus on understanding the risks associated with skin cancer. It also highlights the importance of prevention strategies and the benefits of early detection. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Awareness and proactive skin checks are two of the ways you can significantly reduce your risk.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is defined as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the skin. This process often begins when ultraviolet (UV) radiation, typically from sunlight or artificial sources like tanning beds, damages, or alters the DNA in your skin cells. If the changes are not properly repaired by the body, it can cause cells to multiply rapidly and go on to form malignant tumours.
Your Risk Factors
Several factors will influence your likelihood of developing skin cancer. Understanding these factors helps in assessing your personal risk level. Common risk factors include:
- Exposure to UV Radiation – Frequent or intense exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds is a primary cause of skin cell damage.
- Skin Type – Individuals with fair skin that burns easily, light-coloured eyes, and red or blond hair have less melanin, which provides natural protection against UV radiation.
- History of Sunburns – Experiencing one or more severe, blistering sunburns, particularly during childhood or adolescence, increases the risk.
- Amount of Moles – Having a large number of moles (typically more than 50) or specific types of atypical moles (dysplastic naevi) is associated with a higher risk, especially for melanoma.
- Your Family History – A personal or family history of skin cancer indicates an increased genetic predisposition.
- Weakened Immune System – Conditions or medications that suppress the immune system can reduce the body’s ability to repair cell damage or fight off early cancers.
- Age – Your risk will increase with age. This is due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over time. It should be said that skin cancer can occur at any age.
Recognising Different Types of Skin Cancer
There are several types of skin cancer, each with their own distinctive characteristics. The main types include:
Melanoma – This type can develop within an existing mole or appear as a new dark spot on the skin. Melanoma has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early. Changes in moles are an important sign (see the ABCDE method below).
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – BCC often appears as a pearly or waxy bump, or sometimes as a flat, flesh-coloured or brown lesion resembling a scar. It is the most common form of skin cancer and typically grows slowly. It’s less likely to spread than melanoma, early treatment is advised to prevent local tissue damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – SCC commonly looks like a firm, red nodule, a flat sore with a scaly, crusted surface, or a sore that fails to heal. It can grow deeper into the skin and has a higher potential to spread than BCC, although this is still less common than with melanoma.
The Importance of Early Detection: Checking Your Skin
The early detection of skin cancer early significantly improves treatment outcomes. Regular self-examination of your skin is advised to allow you to become familiar with your moles and spots. We recommend checking your skin monthly, including areas not typically exposed to the sun. (Ask someone else to check your head and back, and ask to take photos of anything that remotely looks suspicious). Use a magnifying glass too.
A well-known and structured method for checking moles and skin lesions is the ABCDE guide:
- A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot does not match the other half.
- B – Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- C – Colour: The colour is not uniform and may include different shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- D – Diameter: The mole or spot is larger than 6mm across (about the width of a pencil), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
- E – Evolving: The mole or spot has changed in size, shape, colour, elevation, or texture over weeks or months. This also includes the development of new symptoms like bleeding, itching, or crusting.
Preventive Measures You Can Employ Against Skin Cancer
You can take several practical steps to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Consistent sun protection is fundamental. Consider incorporating these habits into your routine:
- Use Suncream, Always: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher generously to all exposed skin, even on cloudy days. Reapply approximately every 2 hours, and more frequently after swimming, or sweating. A typical adult needs around 35ml (equivalent to a shot glass) for full body coverage.
- Seek Shade: Limit direct sun exposure, particularly during the hours when UV radiation is strongest, usually between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Choose long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors for extended periods. Sunglasses that block UV rays protect your eyes and the surrounding skin.
- Avoid Tanning Beds: Artificial tanning beds emit harmful UV radiation and significantly increase skin cancer risk. Their use should be avoided completely.
- Be Aware of Indirect Sun: UV rays can penetrate glass, so consider protection even when indoors near windows or while driving. This includes sunroofs.
When to Consult a Doctor
It is important to consult a doctor or a dermatologist promptly if you notice any changes to your skin that concern you. Specifically, make an appointment if you identify:
- A new mole or skin spot that appears different from others on your body.
- An existing mole or spot that changes in size, shape, colour, or texture, according to the ABCDE guide.
- Any skin lesion that persistently itches, bleeds, crusts, or fails to heal within a few weeks.
Do not delay seeking medical advice if you observe any suspicious signs. Early diagnosis is very important for successful skin cancer treatment.
Professional Skin Examinations
Regular self-checks are valuable and should be kept up, but periodic skin examinations by a qualified professional will provide you with a more thorough assessment. This is particularly relevant if you have multiple risk factors for skin cancer. The Doctors Laser Clinic offers professional skin assessments and mole checks. If you have specific concerns about a mole or wish to have a general skin review, please book in for an appointment for an expert evaluation.
