Yuma Sun e-Edition

We’re all susceptible...

Don't underestimate the risk of skin cancer

By JOHN VAUGHN, Health Connections Photos courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology

You don’t see anything anywhere on your skin that looks cancerous. And you’re not in the sun all that much. So you have nothing to worry about, right?

Wrong!

Even if you don’t spend much time in the sun these days, you’re not off the hook if you did in the past and experienced burns as a result. The problem is, damage caused by ultraviolet rays is cumulative and can lead to skin cancer later in life, says Dr. Keith Gross, a dermatologist whose practice includes Yuma.

“All of it adds up,” he said.

And given our area’s year-round sunny climate, people here get plenty of exposure to UV rays even in routine activities of short duration outdoors.

Gross urges people to examine their skin all over once a month to identify signs of possible cancer.

There are three main kinds of skin cancer, he says, with melanoma being the most serious. But a melanoma diagnosis is by no means a death sentence, he says.

“Melanoma, if caught early, is often very treatable.”

The American Academy of Dermatology offers an easyto-follow guide for detection on its website, https://www. aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes.

Called the A, B,C,D,E’S of Melanoma, it is as follows: • A for Asymetry

One half of a melanoma will be unlike the other.

• B for Border

A melanoma will have an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

• C for Color

A melanoma will vary in color from one area to the next, with shades of tan, brown or black or areas of white, red and blue possible.

• D for Diameter

Melanomas are typically greater than 6 millimeters – about the size of a pencil eraser – but they can be smaller. • E for Evolving. A melanoma is changing in size, shape and color. “Once you do a self-exam, if you see something that looks like that, that should urge you to see a dermatologist,” Gross said.

The most common type of skin cancer, he says, is the basal cell carcinoma, characterized by a pink growth or growth that doesn’t seem to go away.

“It would be extremely, extremely uncommon for someone to die from that,” Gross said. But he is not suggesting basal cell carcinoma is something you can ignore.

“What they do, if untreated, is they can form a nonhealing sore or ulcer that can bleed spontaneously and frequently. You may not die from it, but that’s not to say it won’t cause a problem.”

The third type of cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. It is characterized by a tender bump or non-healing sore on the skin, and can become a problem if allowed to spread to other organs.

Gross says some people are under the misconception that skin cancers must cause pain. “That is not really a criteria for whether something should be checked out.” Apart from the once-a-month self-examination, people

should schedule routine visits to a dermatologist, he adds. “If you have had skin cancer, then it may be necessary to have professional skin exams every three to six months, depending on what your skin looks like,” he said.

Family history of skin cancer and the color of one’s skin can also be factors in getting skin cancer.

The Fitzpatrick scale is used to predict the level of risk of sun damage and cancer based on skin color. Developed in 1975, it classifies skin types in six categories:

• Skin type 1

The highest risk level. People in this category typically have ivory skin, with light blue, light gray or light green eyes, and red or light blond hair.

• Skin type 2

Next-highest risk level. Skin is fair or pale, eye colors being blue, gray or green, and hair color being natural blond.

• Skin type 3

Skin is fair to beign, with golden undertones. Eye colors are hazel or light brown,and natural hair colors are dark blond or light brown.

• Skin type 4

Skin is olive or light brown, eye color is dark brown and the natural hair color is dark brown.

• Skin type 5

Skin is dark brown and eye and natural eye colors are dark brown to black.

• Skin type 6

Lowest risk level. Skin is deeply pigmented dark brown, eye color is brownish black and hair color is black.

While those who belong in ethnic groups of darker skin colors may be less susceptible to sun damage, skin cancer can affect people of any ethnicity, Gross said.

No matter their skin type, people should wear protective clothing and use a sun screen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 50 or higher when going outside for a prolonged period, Gross says. And, if possible, they should avoid or limit exposure to the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I’m not telling people to stay indoors, but if you can take these measures to limit exposure, that’s going to help you in avoiding or limiting skin cancer.”

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2021-09-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://yumasun.pressreader.com/article/281556588942462

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