| The end of winter, no more short, cold and dark | | | | dangerous effects of the sun!!!!! |
| days. Spring is finally here and summer is fast | | | | Skin cancer can be broken down into Melanoma- and |
| approaching. Hot days and lots of sunshine. But not all | | | | non-Melanoma types. The latter consists of both |
| fun and sun. The hot sun can pose a great danger | | | | squamous cell- and basal cell skin cancer. Melanoma is |
| for our skin and our children's skin. In fact, one of the | | | | the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The |
| most important factors for feeling young and healthy | | | | proliferation of pigmented skin cells anywhere in the |
| is the way we take care of our skin during the | | | | body can, if not diagnosed and treated early, cause |
| summer months. | | | | death. The frequency of Melanoma around the world |
| Over the last century, ever-increasing rates of skin | | | | is increasing at very rapid rates!! |
| cancer have taken some of the greatest tolls on all | | | | Squamous cell type of skin cancer is also a malignant |
| age groups, young and old. Yet most people don't | | | | form of skin cancer that is directly related to the |
| realize that skin cancer is a very preventable form of | | | | amount of sun exposure and can quickly spread to |
| skin cancer, and, that if recognized early enough, is | | | | other parts of the body. |
| very treatable. The simple fact is, if we take care of | | | | Basal cell type skin cancer is not malignant and thus |
| our skin during the summer, we can dramatically | | | | wont spread to other parts of the body. However, |
| reduce the chances of ever getting skin cancer in the | | | | there is local destruction of the affected skin areas |
| first place. The chance of getting skin cancer is | | | | and thus excision of the lesion is a must. |
| directly related to the amount of sunlight we expose | | | | Well, you may ask how do I protect myself from |
| our skin to, especially during the summer. | | | | the dangers of the skin cancer? The answers may |
| Furthermore, it has been shown that going to the | | | | not be as difficult to follow as you may think. First |
| solarium on a regular basis is also a risk for the | | | | and foremost, always protect skin of young children |
| development of skin cancer. | | | | and kids. Their skins are sensitive to sun exposure |
| Overexposure to UV A and B light from the sun and | | | | and burning the skin only increases the risk in later |
| the solarium damages skin cells. UV A light in spite of | | | | years of developing cancer. It is important to |
| its lower energy, is received by the body in much | | | | remember that the many years of continuous sun |
| larger doses, and penetrates into the skin easily | | | | exposure increase the chance of getting skin cancer. |
| causing damage. UV light mainly affects the skin and | | | | In other words, the skin doesn't forget!! Sporadic sun |
| underlying connective tissues by decreasing the | | | | exposure is more than enough to guarantee a nice |
| quantities of collagen and elastic fibers present in | | | | brown skin color and the proper production of vitamin |
| these tissues. With passing time, the skin becomes | | | | D in the body. |
| more wrinkled and flaccid. One of the most important | | | | If someone wants to get a quick tan, than be sure |
| factors in the pathogenesis of cancer is the fact that | | | | to use self-browning creams, but remember, they |
| the absorbed UV light breaks down water molecules | | | | wont protect your skin from sun overexposure and |
| and induces the formation of free-oxygen radicals, | | | | burning. Carotin derivative products have been shown |
| which are toxic to certain elements of the skin. | | | | to protect the skin from within and in general have |
| For those of us who have a light or very fair | | | | an anti-cancer effect. |
| complexion, (type I skin tone) avoidance of the sun | | | | During the hot months, a good rule of thumb is to |
| and solarium as much as possible is recommended. | | | | avoid strong sun exposure in the middle of the day, |
| The rest of us should adjust the amount of sun (UV | | | | say between 2 and 3 pm, when the sun is hottest. |
| light) exposure to our proper skin tones. | | | | Try to stay in the shade as much as possible and |
| The reason its important to know what type of skin | | | | when going into the sun, put on a hat, sunglasses and |
| tone you have is because the lighter the skin, the | | | | a shirt just to be sure. Sun tanning protective creams |
| less it is capable of dealing with the damaging | | | | are also a must. A wide spectrum UV protection and |
| elements of the sunlight and thus, more the skin | | | | a minimum factor of 15 should be applied to the skin |
| needs to be protected. | | | | at all times for maximum protection. But remember, |
| It's not difficult to determine what your skin type is. | | | | the best protection from skin cancer is to avoid the |
| There are six types and by using the scale below, | | | | exposure to the skin. |
| you can determine for yourself how much skin | | | | Finally, and equally important, is that we recognize on |
| protection you may need. | | | | ourselves any first signs of potential cancer. Especially |
| Skin type I never turns brown, only burns. | | | | be aware of any small wounds or scars on the skin |
| Skin type II browns very slowly and easily burns. | | | | that don't seem to heal after a month or so. Be |
| Skin type III browns easily and rarely burns. | | | | aware of skin moles that suddenly begin to itch, |
| Skin type IV is typical of that of southern Europeans | | | | bleed, peel, grow, change color or become painful. In |
| (Mediterranean type). | | | | any of the above instances, be sure to contact your |
| Skin type V is slightly pigmented similar to those living | | | | dermatologist immediately for a full check up. |
| in India. | | | | Remember, early diagnosis and treatment along with |
| Skin type VI is black. | | | | regular screening is the best way to ensure many |
| If you fall into either of the first two categories, | | | | happy, healthy summers to come. |
| your skin must be protected at all times from the | | | | |