Skin Cancer

FOH Presents…

Overview:

• What is skin cancer

• What causes skin cancer

• Types of skin cancer

• How is skin cancer treated

Your Skin…

What is Skin Cancer?

• Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in your skin.

Occurrence

• Most common cancer in the U.S

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in

their lifetime

• Largely preventable

Who is at Risk

• Light skin color, hair color, eye color, freckles

• Genetics

• Certain types of moles

• Long-term sun exposure

• History of childhood sunburns

What Causes Skin Cancer

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause

• Artificially-produced UV radiation

• Chemicals

Types of Skin Cancer

• Pre-Cancerous– Actinic keratosis

• Cancerous– Squamous cell

carcinoma– Basal cell carcinoma– Melanoma– Others

Actinic Keratosis

• A pre-cancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of sun-damaged skin.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Begins in squamous cells which are found in the surface of the skin

• They are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales

– Approximately 20% of all skin cancers

Squamous Cell Cancer Warning Signs

Scaly Red Patch Elevated with Central Depression

Sore that Persists

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Skin cancer that arises from basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part of the skin (epidermis).

– Over 75% of all skin cancers – Slow-growing– Generally treatable

Basal Cell Cancer Warning Signs

Small, smooth, pale, or waxy shiny lump

Firm, red lump A lump that bleeds or develops a crust

Check In Quiz

Thick, scaly patches of sun-damaged skin#1

#2Persistent, scaly red patch sometimes crusts or bleeds

#3 Red growth with indentation in center

Melanoma

• A skin cancer that arises in a pigment producing cell

• Usually begins in a mole

• Deadliest form of skin cancer– 5% of all skin cancers– Can be found anywhere on the body

Benign Mole or Melenoma

NORMAL

How Do I Tell The Difference?

ABNORMAL

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening

“A” = ASYMMETRY

NORMAL ABNORMAL

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening“B” = BORDERS

NORMAL ABNORMAL

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening“C” = COLORS

Uniform Color

NORMAL ABNORMAL

MultipleColors

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening “D” = DIAMETER

NORMAL ABNORMAL

<6mm >6mm

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening “E” = Elevation

NORMAL ABNORMAL

RaisedArea

FlatArea

How is Skin Cancer Found?

• Self-examination

• Exams and Doctors visits

• Early detection is KEY

Treatment

• The Physician will:

– Review medical history and perform a physical

– Determine what type of cancer

– Then treat the cancer with:

• topical medication

• laser, freezing, and various surgeries

• radiation and/or chemotherapy

Prevention

• Avoid Artificial Sun– Tanning/sun lamps

• Limit Sun Exposure• Avoid midday sun

• Apply sunscreens often (at least 30 SPF)

• Use UVA/UVB blocking SUNGLASSES

Remember

Clouds DON’T protect you!

Sand, water, snow, and ice magnify exposure

Increased altitude = increased exposure

What else can you do?

• Ask for complete skin exam with physical

• Do not self-diagnose, see your doctor right away if you find:– A new mole in an adult– A sore that doesn’t heal– A suspicious change in the appearance of any skin

feature– A mole fails the ABCDE screening

Final Quiz Do You Remember Your

ABCDEs of Melanoma Screening?

Thanks for Attending

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