How to Avoid Skin Cancer
Australia’s vast natural reserves are providing a great outdoor experience for everyone and an unusual chance to bask and play in the bright sunlight, thanks to its unique weather. But did you know this country is also known for its highest rate of skin cancer in the world?
Statistics in the past shows that two out of three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in some way during their lifetime. And each year, about 1000 Australians die from skin cancer alone. The number of skin cancer surgeries needed in the country has also been overwhelming. But don’t let these information get you down – you own the choice to save your skin from cancer.
Here are some easy ways to protect yourself:
- Put on some sunscreen / sun-block with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15+. Put higher SPF sun protection cream if you will be long outdoors.
- Get dressed before walking out / or going away from shade
- Slip on a long sleeved shirt if the activity allows (hold up the shirt against the light. If the less you can see through it, the more protection it will give you)
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat if possible
- Use an umbrella
- Wear a UV-block sunglass
- Go out at the right time. The sun is hottest during the afternoon. If you can still get things done just before dusk, that will save you some of your skin.
- Be aware and know what UV radiation can do to your skin!
Question: Why shouldn’t we go out in the afternoon?
Answer: The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. In fact, that is when 60%-70% of the entire day’s radiation occur. With areas with larger ozone holes, you will find your skin baking sooner. So if possible, try to plan your activities, whether it’s leisure or sports, before 11am or after 3pm (mainly for Australians.). If you are outside, grab some shade under a large tree, open an umbrella, varendah or gazebo, or next to a tall building. At home, if you can’t find a place to hide from the sun, think about building a pergola or verandah or plant some trees.
Looking for Symptoms of Skin Cancer
If you are someone who has been basking in the sun for years, it’s time to look at your skin. The earlier you notice those dangerous sunspots on your skin, the higher the chance to cure skin cancer.
Have you noticed any new freckles, moles, sores or sunspots on your skin or body lately? Or a spot that looks different from the other spots around it? Or a spot that’s changed in colour, size or shape over the last few weeks or months? It may be skin cancer – so find a specialist to verify.
Question: Why should anything on my skin be skin cancer? And why should I start looking for these signs on my skin?
Answer: Here’s some facts about skin cancer: Skin cancer is rarely painful, so the person having it won’t even know until it reaches a very late stage. Skin cancer seldom looks ugly on the skin, especially melanoma – one of the most dangerous form of skin cancer, lies flat on your skin during early stages. And finally, all early detections of skin cancer leads to a cure in 99% of most cases. So consult your doctor as soon as you realise something strange about your skin.
Types of Skin Cancer
Melanoma – this is probably known as the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If untreated, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Early detection leads to a cure in 95% of cases. It appears as a new spot, or an existing spot, freckle-like spot or mole-like spot that changes in colour, size or shape. Usually, melanomas have an irregular or smudgy outline and more than one colour. It can also grow over weeks to months, anywhere around the body.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Forms as a thickened red, scaly spot. And then later it may bleed easily or shows ulceration. Appears on skin areas most often exposed to the sun. Grows over a few months. - Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Appears as a lump or red, scaling area. Looks red, pale or pearly in colour. As it grows, it may become ulcerated like an unhealing sore or one that heals then breaks down again. Usually grows slowly on the head, neck and upper trunk. - Solar keratoses (normally known as Sunspots)
Not a skin cancer, but a warning that you are prone to skin cancer, or you may already have one. Characterized by red, flattish, scaling areas which may sting if scratched. Sunspots appear on sun-exposed skin, usually in people over 40.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Sunlight is made up of different types of radiatioin. As well as the warming infra-red radiation, there is radiation we can neither see nor feel, known as ultraviolet radiation or UVR. UVR is not hot, so it doesn’t affect the temperature. A little bit of UVR can make you feel good, but over-exposure to UV radiation can cause sunburn, skin cancer and eye damage.
Ultraviolet radiation is present in the sun’s rays right throughout the year. It is strongest in January. However, the level of UVR varies from day to day, and even on a clear day in September or April the UVR is strong enough to burn your skin.
You also need to be wary of UV reflection, especially off sand, snow, water and other light coloured surfaces like light-coloured concrete. This is because the UV rays bounce off these surfaces like rain off a pavement, thereby increasing the amount of radiation reaching your skin.
It’s also time to blow away the windburn myth. The wind can dry out your skin but it won’t burn it. The last time you thought you had win burn, you were actually sunburnt from undetected UV radiation. And don’t be fooled by clouds – the UVR can still get through.
What about UV from other sources, are they safe?
Solariums advertise “safe tanning” and say they use only UVA, a form of UV radiation that until recently was considered less dangerous than other forms of UVR. New research suggests however, that UVA also contributes to skin damage, ageing and cancer. The Anti-Cancer Council strongly recommends that you don’t try to get a tan by visiting solariums; you only increase your skin cancer risk. In July 2009, a new analysis arrived from about 20 studies concludes that the overall risk of skin cancer goes up to 75 per cent if a person starts using tanning beds before the age 30. If you are exposed to either natural or artificial UVR because of your work, talk to your Occupational Health and Safety Officer about safety measures.
Tags: prevention
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