MRMC News

Summer is almost here, bringing with it plans for leisurely walks on the beach, long days at the lake, perhaps a visit to the tanning salon to get that glowing sun-kissed look as bathing suits and strappy dresses come out. Under breezy summer skies, it's easy to forget that seemingly harmless sun exposure can cause skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. “More than 2 million people will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Of those, the American Cancer Society predicts that nearly 77,000 cases will be the deadliest type, called melanoma,” explains Donna Wood, Practice Leader of Clinical Operations at Quorum Health Resources (QHR). “More than 9,000 Americans are expected to die from this form of skin cancer in 2012.”

To raise awareness of skin cancer prevention and the importance of early detection, May has been designated Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Focused on melanoma prevention, AAD encourages skin self-examination on "Melanoma Monday," the first Monday in May.

The three most common skin cancers Americans develop are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The AAD advises that you should see a dermatologist if a mole or other skin spot is growing, changing shape, bleeding or itching.

"All of these can be signs of skin cancer. Skin cancers can look different from person to person, so you need a medical evaluation from a dermatologist to ensure proper diagnosis," says Rashid M. Rashid, MD, Ph.D, Dermatologist and medical staff member at Matagorda Regional Medical Center. "It's important to be aware of these signs, because most skin cancers are highly curable if caught early and treated appropriately." A pictorial of warning signs and images of skin cancer is available on the Skin Cancer Foundation website at ww.skincancer.org.

Several factors are key when assessing your risk for skin cancer. There's a genetic link, so find out if close family members have had skin cancer. Light-skinned people are more likely to develop skin cancer, although all skin types can be affected. And exposure to invisible ultraviolet rays can cause cell changes that lead to skin cancer. This exposure can occur naturally from the sun or artificially from tanning beds or lamps.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that ultraviolet light causes 65 percent or more of melanoma. About 90 percent of other types of skin cancers are linked to this exposure. Additional skin cancer risk factors cited by the CDC are:

• Personal history of skin cancer
• History of sunburns early in life
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun
• Blue or green eyes
• Blond or red hair
• Certain types of moles
• Numerous moles

One alarming trend is the rise in melanoma among young people aged 18 to 39. The Skin Cancer Foundation cites a recent study that shows this potentially deadly form of skin cancer has grown by 800 percent among young women and 400 percent among young men since the 1970s. While lifetime risk of melanoma usually is higher for males than females, the pattern seems to be reversed in this younger population.

The study authors point to indoor ultraviolet tanning as a potential explanation for this trend. More females use indoor tanning, which is linked to much higher rates of developing melanoma, as well as less threatening skin cancers. The good news is that while melanoma incidence is rising among young people, death from the disease is decreasing due to early diagnosis and treatment.

When a doctor identifies skin spots that need to be further evaluated, the first step is usually a biopsy. All or part of the suspicious skin will be removed and checked by a pathologist for cancer cells. This often is done using local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure in the doctor's office, a clinic or hospital. If cancer is detected, the next step is to "stage" the disease. This test determines if the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment options will be based on this staging and could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Treatments with special drugs and lights also may be used to slow the cancer growth or kill the cancer cells. These are called photodynamic therapy and biological therapy.

Researchers are working to find new and more effective ways to treat skin cancer. One area of study is the use of a vaccine after surgery for people with advanced melanoma. The National Cancer Institute provides information about clinical trials for new treatments on its website at www.cancer.gov.

Health advocates and agencies have developed guidelines and other information tools to encourage safe sun exposure from youth through adulthood. People of all ages are advised to stay out of the hottest mid-day sun, if possible, and to realize that exposure in any season can be harmful. Here are other helpful protection tips:

• Seek out shade, especially during the mid-day hours
• Wear clothing that protects skin from sun exposure
• Use a wide-brimmed hard to shade the face, head, ears and neck
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses that block 100 percent of both types of harmful ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB
• Use sunscreen with a protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection
• Do not use indoor tanning facilities

Americans are sun-lovers who spend a great deal of time out of doors. This enjoyment doesn't have to be dimmed by the threat of skin cancer. By taking precautions to protect yourself from sun exposure and checking regularly for the signs of skin cancer, you can greatly reduce the threat of this common malady.

For more information on the American Academy of Dermatology's efforts to promote skin cancer detection and prevention, go to http://www.melanomamonday.org.

This article provided courtesy of Matagorda Regional Medical Center and Quorum Health Resources (QHR).