The Dangers of Skin
Cancer
Are we educated enough?
Statement of the Problem
Even though we have been educated
on the dangers of skin cancer and its
prevention, Melanoma/skin cancer
continues to increase at an alarming
rate.
Background leading to the
problem
• Lack of Knowledge
“No big deal?”
YES! It is a big deal.
Types include:
• Basil Cell
• Melanoma
• Squamous Cell
Ozone Depletion
• Harmful effects of UV-B
• Location
Lattitude/Longitue
• Time of day
• Ultra Violet Index
Are Tan Skins Cool?
• Behavior and attitude
Tanning Salon
There's more evidence
on the hazards of
tanning beds. Baking
under their artificial
lamps as little as once a
month can boost your
risk of a deadly form of
skin cancer by 55% -and the danger is even
greater when done in
early adulthood.
Significance to Optimal Health
• Spending time outdoors in the fresh air
does wonders for the body and soul. Just
remember that your skin needs extra
protection from the sun.
Types of Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell
carcinomas
Types of Skin Cancer
Malignant Melanoma
Other Effects From the Sun
• Skin Damage
• Cataracts and Other Eye Damage
• Immune Suppression
Other Problems
In terms of cancer types; skin cancer history
was most strongly tied to liver cancer,
followed by Hodgkin disease, leukemia, and
lung cancer.
Women who have had the most common
forms of skin cancer are 2.3 times as likely to
also get deadlier cancers such as breast,
lung, and colon.
Possible Solutions
• Don’t sunbathe
• Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
• When outdoors use SPF 15 or higher
without SPF 15 reddening takes 20 mins
with SPF 15 reddening takes 5 hours (reapply
every 2 hours & after swimming)
Several sunburns over course of a lifetime can
double/ triple melanoma risk no matter when
sunburns occurred
Possible Solutions
• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, UVprotective sunglasses
• Stay away from artificial tanning devices
• Teach children good sun protection habits at an
early age. Damages that lead to adult skin
cancers start in childhood
• Examine self from head to toe once every 3
months
• Tinted windows in automobile
Year Round Protection
• During winter ( Reflections from snow can double the UV
rays from the sun)
• UV radiation is not only associated with heat
Clouds/ Haze- water droplets magnify UV rays.
Latitude- closer to the equator, more potent sun rays.
Altitude- UV radiation increases 4-5% every 1000 ft. above
sea level.
Reflection- water, sand, concrete and snow reflect 90% of
UV rays.
Photosensitive Reactions- medicines for acne or antibiotics
Variety of Approach
• UVB causes basal,
squamous cell
carcinomas and
melanoma.
• UVA causes wrinkling,
leathering, photo
aging because it
penetrates deeper
and exacerbates UVB
effects.
Youth Sun Care
• Avoid sunburns as a
child.
• Babies under 6 months
old should spend very
little time in the sun. If
exposed to the sun
protective clothing and
sunglasses should be
worn.
• Children over 6 months
should always wear a
sunscreen of at least SPF
15.
The ABCD’s of Skin Cancer
• A – Asymmetry
• B – Border
• C – Color
• D – Diameter
Treatments
• Removal – Laser /
Excision or cutting out
• Surgery – lymph
nodes
• Chemotherapy /
Immunotherapy
• Benign / Malignant
Latest News of Sunscreens Longterm Effects
• Sunscreen as of now is tested with a
significant and favorable impact on public
health as part of an overall strategy to
reduce UV exposure.
Start Early
• Parents should educate
their children immediately!
– Experts warn that even
one severe sunburn
during childhood or
adolescence can
increase the risk of skin
cancer.
– Kids get 80% of their
life time sun before age
18.
– Safety tips must be
practiced constantly!
Best Protection
• Besides using a sunscreen with an SPF of
15 or higher, a regularly scheduled fullbody exam by your health care
professional is key to prevention!
– This is because melanoma can occur on
areas of your body that are not exposed to the
sun.
– It often takes a trained eye to spot melanoma
in early stages.
Self Examination
• You should examine
yourself regularly
• The best time to do this is
after a bath or shower,
standing in front of a full
length mirror.
• Use a handheld mirror to
help you view areas that
are difficult to see.
• If you notice any oddlooking mole or marking,
contact your doctor
ASAP!
Solution to the Problem
• Sun Avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer
• Visit your dermatologist at least once a year
– Early detection is the surest way to a cure!
Sun Screen! Sun Screen! Sun Screen!
If Not Addressed
• About 91,900 new cases of melanoma in
the United States, in 2003
• 7,600 are expected to die from melanoma
(4,700 men and 2,900 women)
Prevention
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sun Block
Reduce your Exposure of the Sun
Protective Clothing
Self Exam
Dermatology visits
Education and Awareness
Best Prevention
• Education and Awareness
*Do a personal skin cancer profile.
*For more information visit
www.aad.org
*Call the Skin Cancer Institute at
1-800-424-6724
The Dangers of Skin Cancer
Presented by:
Melissa Anderson
Francis Llave
Julia McElmoyle
Jeff Poe
Eri Saito
Jeb Stewart