Skin Cancer - How to Prevent and Detect

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Caucasians. Excessive exposure to sunlight is considered to be the most frequent cause of skin cancer (about 90 percent of cases).

What types of skin cancer are most common?

·         Basalioma or basal cell carcinoma;

·         Squamous cell or cell-surface;

·         Malignant melanoma.

What is basalioma or basal cell carcinoma?

It's the kind of skin cancer most common. Mainly affects people with light skin who are exposed to the sun: peasants, fishermen, construction workers,etc... Usually appears after age 40 and is preferentially located in areas of the body most exposed to the sun: face, neck and back.

It can manifest itself in the form of one lump rosy and bright, slow growth or a superficial wound, which appears without apparent cause and which shows no tendency to spontaneous healing.

The treatment in the early stages, is very simple and almost always results in cure of the tumor. However, if left to evolve without treatment, can become aggressive, invading surrounding tissues, and cause great damage and mutilation, especially in certain anatomical areas (nose, ears, eyelids,etc.).. Even in these stages is often possible to cure the tumor through surgery and radiotherapy. But the patient may be disfigured for life.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

It is the second type of skin cancer more often. Also affects the professional groups that are permanently exposed to the sun, but older age groups than in the case basalioma.

It grows in more exposed areas of the body (face, neck, back of hands and legs) and almost always on precursor lesions (precancerous). In most cases comes about so-called solar or actinic keratosis, but can also originate from scars, post-burn, chronic ulcers and fistulae or in people who have been long in contact with carcinogens (tobacco, X-rays, arsenic, tar and derivatives).

Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor more aggressive and faster growing than the basalioma. Usually manifest in the form of a lump of rapid growth, with tendency to ulcerate and bleed easily. Besides can be locally invasive, abandoned to its natural evolution, give rise to distant metastases, which can invade vital organs and cause death. 

However, when diagnosed and treated in time have a high probability of cure.

What is melanoma?

It is the most dangerous skin cancer and one of the most aggressive malignant tumors of the human species. It originates from the epidermal melanocytes, cells responsible for the production of natural pigment (melanin) that gives the skin a tan color. Affects younger age groups that basalioma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Unlike basalioma or squamous cell carcinoma, which are related to chronic exposure to the sun, malignant melanoma appears to be associated with intermittent sun exposure, acute and untimely, often accompanied by sunburn (sunburn), especially when occurring at young ages. 

Malignant melanoma can occur on apparently healthy skin in any body part or on existing signs. The initial appearance of melanoma is varied, but is characterized usually by the appearance of a small lump or spot, black tar, on apparently healthy skin or over an existing signal.

Treatment is usually surgical, and when done in the early stages where the tumor is still very thin (thickness less than half a millimeter), achieves high cure rates. However, when the tumor is already very thick (thickness greater than four millimeters), the odds of cure are greatly reduced, there is the imminent risk of distant metastasis.

Early diagnosis is therefore essential.

 

What are the warning signs in relation to melanoma?

·         Recent emergence of a black mark on apparently healthy skin;

·         Modifying an existing sign;

·         Changing the size (recent growth);

·         Change in shape (irregular);

·         Change of color (black, brown, pink);

·         Onset of pruritus (itching);

·         Onset of inflammation (redness);

·         Emergence of ulceration (wound);

·         Onset of hemorrhage (bleeding easily).

What signs I should pay attention?

The overwhelming majority of the signs of skin (nevi), either from birth or acquired, is completely harmless. However, there are some particular aspect (atypical nevi) that may indicate an increased risk of getting melanoma.

Characteristics of nevi:

·         Atypical nevi: asymmetrical, irregular borders, uneven color, diameter greater than six millimeters;

·         Banal nevi: symmetric, regular board, brown uniform diameter of less than six millimeters.

 

People with many signs are advised to do skin self-exam about once a month. If in doubt, consult a dermatologist.

What are the risk factors?

·         Skinned and freckled;

·         Blond or red hair;

·         Blue or green eyes;

·         Sunburn easily, suntan difficult;

·         A history of sunburn;

·         Irregular and intermittent exposure to sunlight;

·         Many signs around the body;

·         History of melanoma in families.