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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Causes, Types, and Self Examination for Skin Cancer Prevention

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Skin cancer Prevention is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the skin. It is one of the most common cancers that both men and women suffer from. Every year, nearly a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer. It is caused by a variety of factors such as excessive sun exposure, declining immune systems, etc. 

Causes

When skin cells reconfigure and multiply abnormally, unrestrained growth results in the formation of a tumor. This skin tumor is also termed a lesion. These cancerous developments are malignant, causing the damage of nearby cells, resulting in irregular growth. During the advanced stages, these tumors travel through the bloodstream and can affect other human organs.

Types

Skin cancer is classified into two types based on its potency to spread. Non-melanoma and melanoma are the two types of skin cancer. The types of non-melanoma encompass squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

  • Melanoma: It is a type of skin cancer that affects melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells).
  • Basal cell carcinoma: A skin cancer in the outer layer of the skin that impacts the lower part of the epidermis.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer of the squamous or flat cells on the skin surface.

Self Examination Tips

Self-examination is one of the best proactive steps that can be taken for skin cancer prevention in a premature stage. In general, doctors advise that you should undergo self-examination. It can be performed once a month to observe any freckles, moles, or other traces. If there is any physical change, it will duly reflect.

Apart from self-examination, it’s absolutely important to notify your doctor of any physical changes. For this, you should visit an impaneled dermatologist for a skin check once a year. 

What You Require

A full-length mirror, a handheld mirror, a chair, a blowdryer , and a companion (if possible).

Frequency

Monthly

Ambiance

In a private room with ideal brightness

Performance

  • Stand in front of the mirror and examine the facial creases, ear lobes, and entire neck section, chests, stomach, arms, and underarms, backs of hands, palms, fingernails, and finger joints. Inspecting the skin beneath breasts is a smart option for women.
  • Have a close look at your shins and thighs, feet, and toes, including toenails.
  • In a sitting posture, check the backs of your thighs, calves, and sole of your feet with a hand mirror. Continue with this procedure for each leg separately. If possible, engage a reliable person to assist with difficult-to-see body parts.
  • Review the skin with the hand mirror. It should project your upper back, lower back, genital area, buttocks, ear backs, and back of your neck. Examine the skin on your scalp by parting your hair. Remove the hair strands with a blow dryer to get a decent view of the scalp.

Findings

When performing a self-assessment, keep in mind the essence of skin cancer. The possible symptoms are as under:

  • Asymmetry: An unusually shaped spot on your skin, which is not identical to other marks on the skin.
  • Peripherals: An uneven border on the body contours
  • Color: An irregular color shade 
  • Body Surface: A pea-size mole
  • Modification: A spot that has grown in size in the last few weeks.

Minimizing the Potent Risk Factors

Shying away from direct sunlight and tanning beds are crucial steps to take if you want to lower the risk of developing skin cancer.

The 3 ways to prevent skin cancer are as follows:

  • Restrict yourself from coming out in broad daylight, especially between from10am to 4pm. It’s the time when you tend to receive direct heat. You may stay indoors and perform your daily activities.
  • When you are going out, wear a hat with a wide brim with long sleeve shirts and full-length pants. Shield your eyes from UVA and UVB rays by wearing sunglasses. If you are outside for more than 20 minutes or more, you should always wear sunscreen with the ingredient of sun protection factor. The SPF should be water-resistant.
  • Protect yourself from sunburns, which have an increased potency of melanoma later in human skin. This is particularly applicable for children. Stay away from tanning booths and beds that use high-intensity UV light. Several countries have banned or restricted the use of tanning beds, particularly among teenagers.
Skin Cancer Prevention

Conclusion of Skin Cancer Prevention

While several people are at equal risk of developing skin cancer, a select few are at a higher risk. Individuals with a genetic history of skin cancer, as well as those suffering from fair skin and freckles, are always at potential risk. 

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