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Skin cancer
The arrival of summer is always a time of rejoicing for Mary. She has always enjoyed the sun, sand and sea since childhood. And upon returning from her studies in Hawaii, a sunshine-girl image has even become her personal hallmark. As she loves sporting a tan, she always goes sunbathing and is partook in so many outdoor activities that she sometimes forgets to put on suntan lotion while engaging in them. One day, after coming back from a swimming session, she finds a strange-looking bruise mark on her arm during the shower. This immediately brings back memories of how her former landlady from Hawaii was inflicted with skin cancer. Outside the window, the sun seems shrouded by a veil of gloom. Could it be...? She quickly dries her body and sets off to see a dermatologist.
- Excessive exposure to the sun leads to skin damage
- Skin cancer takes different forms
- Prevention is better than cure Self-examinations and Body-checks
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a key criterion in choosing suntan lotion
- Sun protection effects can be only be obtained through correct application
Source: Quality HealthCare - Specialist in Dermatology
Excessive exposure to the sun leads to skin damage
Excessive exposure to the sun can be considered the skin's greatest enemy. Sun exposure for long hours can leave the skin burnt and damaged by strong ultraviolet light. At the same time, it can cause the skin to age, dry out, wrinkle and form pigments such as freckles and melasma. When severe, it can even lead to skin cancer.
How long could one's skin withstands sun exposure before it becomes damaged will depend on the individual's skin condition. Generally, Caucasians are more susceptible to skin damage through ultraviolet radiation and problems of skin aging. In comparison, Asians fare better, while dark-skinned people are best protected and least vulnerable to skin damage under the sun.
Skin cancer takes different forms
Overexposure to the sun is one of the causes of skin cancer. In addition, there are other contributing factors too, such as the growth of abnormally large moles on the body which may become cancerous. Besides, those with a family history of skin cancer face greater inheritance risks and the likelihood of them being inflicted is higher than others.
Skin cancer can be divided into a few types:
1. Melanoma: Similar to a mole in appearance, it is, in fact, not a mole, but a nodule growth on the skin. However, moles may develop into skin cancer too.
2. Squamous Cell Cancer: It appears as a skin plaque, such as a scaling patch, and is not necessarily dark in color.
3. Basel Cell Carcinoma: Characterized by an open wound, with a "pearly" color.
Sun exposure will only aggravate these problems. This is why these skin cancers often arise in exposed parts of the body, such as the face and the arms. According to statistics from The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, there is a lower incidence of skin cancer among Hong Kong people, compared to Westerners. But in the recent years, the trend has been rising. In 1994, there were 332 new cases. By 2004, the figure almost doubled to 656 new cases.
Prevention is better than cure Self-examinations and Body-checks
To prevent skin cancer, observations can be carried out at two levels to check the skin for abnormal changes. First, you can undertake self-examinations. Overseas medical personnel offer tips to the public on self-examinations by the "ABCD method."
A: Asymmetric: Check the skin for moles or nodules to see if they look asymmetric. If there are considerable differences on both sides of a mole, in that the color is well defined on one side but blurred on the other, or that one half of it does not match the other half in shape, then one needs to take precaution.
B: Border: Notice if a mole has a regular edge. If it appears blurred in shape, with a spread of pigment from the border into the surrounding skin or that the border spreads out in an irregular shape, it will be necessary to take precaution.
C: Color: Notice if the entire mole is of an even color. If the color is uneven, such that part of it appears brown with dark and tan shades, cancer could be the cause and precaution will be needed.
D: Diameter: If the entire mole has a diameter of more than 6 millimeters, then it will be necessary for one to look out for possible problems.
If the above abnormalities are found, consult a doctor for examination. Apart from self-examination, one could also undergo skin examinations regularly. Such a kind of examinations is more common overseas, such as Australia, where many people undergo skin examinations every year, with the doctor conducting a detailed check using different equipment to determine if there is any abnormal growth on the patient's skin. Should there be any suspected problems, some skin tissue would be extracted and tested in the laboratory, so as to facilitate early treatment to prevent the condition from deteriorating.
Generally, skin cancer is treated mostly through surgical removal of the cancerous portion. Because the skin cancer appears on the exposed skin and that it usually has not metastasized upon detection, the chances of recovery are high.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a key criterion in choosing suntan lotion
Sun-tanning lotion serves as a protective shield when applied and protects the skin. Yet, it is necessary to select suitable suntan lotion and apply it correctly to achieve these effects.
Choosing suntan lotion with a SPF level of 30 and above can enable you to obtain a better protective effect. Put simply, the protective strengths of SPF are as follows:
"SPF 15" can block 93% of ultra-violet rays
"SPF 30" can block 97% of ultra-violet rays
Generally in outdoor activities, it is appropriate to use sunblock products with SPF 30 or above, in order to achieve better sun protection effects.
Also note that there are two major levels of sun protection:
1. Resistance against ultraviolet A radiation: Mainly to prevent aging
2. Resistance against ultraviolet B radiation: Mainly to prevent sunburns
Suntan lotion products in the past mostly offered protection against sunburns. But now, suntan products capable of resisting two kinds of ultraviolet radiation are available. When making a purchase, please read the product label carefully to understand the functions offered.
Sun protection effects can be only be obtained through correct application
On ways to apply suntan lotion "correctly", please observe the following:
1. Apply evenly: Do not apply suntan lotion in too thin a layer or otherwise, it will not be effective. If an excessively thick layer is applied, discomfort will result.
2. Apply half an hour before hand: Many people have overlooked this point. Suntan lotion should be applied half an hour before involvement in outdoor activities commences. Applying suntan lotion in advance will let it unleashes its effects on the skin and only then will a protective function results.
3. Apply thoroughly: All exposed body parts should be applied with a suntan lotion. Do not only concentrate the face as other body portions exposed to the sun, such as the arms, require application too.
4. Constantly reapply for continual protection, as the suntan lotion could be removed by sweat and through water-based activities.
Even after application of suntan lotion, it does not mean you have total protection all day round and can freely expose yourself under the scorching sun. Excessive sun exposure is detrimental to the skin. Avoid sunbathing between noon and the early afternoon, when the sun is at its hottest and UV radiation is high.
Source: Quality HealthCare - Specialist in Dermatology
