Understanding Skin Cancer

Causes & TypesRisks Factors

Understanding UVBSun exposure

Prevention

What is the largest organ in the body?

The largest organ of the body

The Skin The skin is the largest organ of the body and is

made up of a thin outer layer (called the epidermis) and a thicker outer layer (called the dermis). Below the dermis is the subcutaneous tissue, which contains fat. Buried in the skin are nerves that sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch. Sebaceous glands secrete a lubricating substance called sebum. Deep within the skin are your sweat glands, which produce perspiration when you are too hot.

Without the skin

Come, Let’s Learn More to Protect the Skin

What is skin cancer?

• Skin cancer is cells that undergo a transformation causing uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in a layer of the skin (grow and multiply without normal control).

• It attacks one out of every seven Americans each year or one million yearly.

• Most common of all human cancers.• Invades space of other tissue and take O2

and nutrients from them.

Three Major Types of Skin Cancers

• Basal Cell (BCC) although malignant, unlikely to spread more than locally. Can disfigure if not treated.

• Squamous Cell (SCC) although malignant, unlikely to spread. Can disfigure if no treated.

• Melanoma – malignant and highly aggressive, spreading rapidly

BCC - SCC - Melanomas

• BCC – most common, starts as a papule, enlarges and gets a central crater. Typically only spreads locally

• SCC – begins as a firm red nodule or scaly, crusted flat lesion. If not treated, can spread

• Melanoma- can arise on normal skin or existing mole, if not treated spreads downward and spreads rapidly.

Pre-cancer

• Any change in existing growth on skin or any new growth that does not heal or ulcerates could indicate a skin cancer or precancerous lesion.

• Key to successful treatment is early detection. Most early skin cancers can be removed in a simple outpatient procedure. If not treated, can lead to disability or even death.

ABCDs of Malignant Melanomas

• Asymmetry – one side does not look like the other

• Borders – irregular or notched

• Color – black, tan, brown, red, blue, white

• Diameter – about the size of a pencil erasure or larger but small changes could be significant.

Examples ABCDs

What causes skin cancer?

• The total amount of sun exposure received over many years and single over exposures resulting in sunburn both can cause skin cancer and are the main causes.

• If you have a low immunity (your immune system protects you. Some people with multiple diseases have low immunity). Strive to stay healthy.

Risk Factors - Other Causes

• A family history of skin cancer

• Living in sunny climates or high altitudes

• Fair skin

• Working outdoors or w/ hazardous materials that are harmful to the skin

• Repeated exposure to X-rays

• Scarring from disease, injury, or burns

Understanding UVB/UVA/UVC Radiation

• UVB radiation – is the smallest portion of UV radiation, yet the most carcinogenic or cancer causing. The longer wave-lengths of UVA, although less intense that UVB, penetrate more deeply into the skin. UVA can have damaging effects early in the AM and late in the day because the longer wave-lengths are not reduced or weakened by the atmosphere like UVB. The short wave- lengths of UVC are absorbed entirely by the ozone in the atmosphere. The ratio of UVA to UVB emitted from tanning bed lamps vary depending on the manufacturer.

UV Radiation

• Due to the changing angle of the sun and the absorption of solar radiation by our atmosphere, the intensity of UV radiation striking the surface of the earth at noon is twice as strong as radiation striking the earth in the early morning and late afternoon.

UV and DNA

• UVA and UVB absorption by DNA and other structures inside the nuclei of skin cells lead to cellular and molecular damage (sunburn), including pain, inflammation, swelling, and loss of function.

• Incomplete or incorrect repair of UV radiation induced DNA damage is largely responsible for the growth of precancerous cells and malignant cells.

Prevention

• Be proactive and ready for outdoors events by keeping sunscreen/sunblock readily available. Use SPF 30

• The higher the SPF rating of sunscreen, the longer it takes for sunlight to damage the skin.

• Always use sunscreen/sunblock. Sunscreens weaken UV radiation before it causes damage to DNA in the nuclei of skin cells. Sunscreens also absorb UV radiation within spaces between the skin cells, converts it to specific chemicals, and re-release the energy as insignificant amounts of heat. Sunblocks prevent UV radiation from entering skin cells.

Prevention

• Re-apply sunscreen often, especially if you are in the sun for long periods

• Limit your sun exposure if you do not have sun screen, especially between 10 & 2.

• Stay out of tanning beds

• Conduct monthly self checks

• Wear a wide brimmed hat

Tumor invading the skin

                        

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

                        

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

                        

Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the sole.

                        

Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.

                        

Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

                        

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

                        

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

                        

Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the sole.

                        

Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.

                        

Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

                        

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

                        

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

                        

Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the sole.

                        

Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.

                        

Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

How to Perform a Skin Self-Exam Home Public Center Skin Cancer Exams Save Lives How to Perform a Self Exam

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the sole.

Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.

Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved.

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