Spring and summer are exciting seasons for us. The air becomes warm, the sun gets bright, and you do a lot of outdoor activities.
Naturally, your skin’s exposure to the sun increases during this time of year, which results in a greater risk of skin damage, including development of skin cancer.
The good news? Most skin cancers are preventable.
Skin cancer happens when the cells in your skin begin to grow abnormally. There are many types of skin cancer, based on what cells are involved.
Let’s explore more why skin cancer happens, and effective tips to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Table of Contents
What Causes Skin Cancer?
Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ? It includes multiple layers that protect you from the sun, heat, cold, injury, and other infections.
The epidermis and the dermis are the two major layers that act as guardians inside those numerous layers. Within the epidermis, there are three types of cells:
- Basal cells
- Melanocytes
- Squamous cells
Blood, hair follicles, and glands are all found in the dermis layer.
Cancer-causing compounds are emitted by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can be emitted by direct sunlight or artificial UV from tanning beds.
These factors can induce aberrant DNA to form in skin cells, which can lead to cancer cell proliferation and development.
What are the Different Types of Skin Cancer?
The type of cells that skin cancer affects influences the sort of cancer that develops later on.
Consider the following scenarios:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that arises in the basal cells. It’s the most prevalent type of skin cancer and the one that grows the slowest.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that arises in the squamous cells.
It usually manifests itself on the skin as red, scaly lesions or sores.
This type of skin cancer is normally not life threatening, but if left untreated, it can become hazardous.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises in the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells).
This is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
It has a higher proclivity for spreading than both basal and squamous cell skin malignancies. It is the leading cause of skin cancer mortality each year.
Who is More at Risk for Skin Cancer?
What to look for skin cancer? You might wonder about the risk factors of skin cancer. Here are some:
Anyone can get skin cancer, but people with a lot of UV exposure, lighter skin, a family history of skin cancer, a lot of moles, a lot of severe sunburns in the past, a compromised immune system, and those who live in sunny or high-altitude climates are at a higher risk.
What Can You Do to Save Your Skin? Tips to Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer
While some types of skin cancer have a genetic component, there are a lot of things you can do to prevent skin cancer from developing. Here are some of the tips to reduce the risk of skin cancer:
Practice Sun Safety
Research shows that the sun can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. So it’s important to do everything you can to protect your skin while you’re soaking up those rays. Here are some of the tips to protect yourself from sun:
Seek Shade
Seek out some shade.
If you’re going to go outside, find some shade to avoid being in the sunshine. This is especially critical between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s UV radiation is at its peak.
Wear Sunglasses
Put on your sunglasses. Sunglasses will not only protect your vision, but they will also preserve the delicate skin surrounding your eyes. Sunglasses that prevent both UVA and UVB rays are common.
Check that the sunglasses you buy can shield you from both types of sunlight.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Wear suitable attire. If you’re going to be outside in the sun for an extended period of time, long sleeves and slacks are a good idea.
To stay cool, look for clothing made of breathable, lightweight materials.
Wear a Hat/Scarf
Because the skin on your face is so delicate, wear a hat or scarf to protect it. Wide-brimmed hats provide the best protection from the sun while still being rather trendy.
Wear Sunscreen
When you see the shelves packed with sunscreen, you know summer is just around the horizon, but how do you know which one to choose?
Here are some pointers to consider while choosing the best sunscreen:
Look at the SPF
Take a look at the SPF. If you’ll be in direct sunlight for an extended amount of time, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50.
If you are prone to sunburn, a higher SPF will provide better protection.
Choose Broad-Spectrum
A broad spectrum sunscreen shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Longer wavelengths of UVA rays can cause burns and skin malignancies. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and can cause burns, wrinkles, and age spots.
Reapply
Always reapply sunblock every two hours.
If you get wet, reapply more frequently. Do so every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Check the Expiration Date
Make a mental note of the expiration date. Check to see if the sunscreen you’re buying has an extended shelf life. If there isn’t an expiration date, it should last for three years from the date of purchase.
Read more about the difference between sunscreen and sunblock.
Get Skin Cancer Screenings
Even if you don’t have any skin problems, visiting a dermatologist for a regular skin cancer screening is a smart idea. They’ll be able to see parts of your body that are difficult to observe.
A dermatologist can also check for the presence of skin cancer in any moles or other skin growths.
If a mole has worrisome characteristics and appears to be malignant (cancerous), it should be removed as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body.
Diet to Prevent Skin Cancer: Eat Your Sunscreen
Do you know that eating good food and fruits also help you to prevent skin cancer and many other ailments? That’s because natural foods and fruits are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that fight the free radicals and prevent cell damage.
Diet to prevent skin cancer involves: blueberries, watermelon, carrots, green vegetables, nuts and seeds, green tea etc.
Read more about the health benefits of watermelon.
Sun Protection for Babies
Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
Bottom Line!
If you have an abnormal growth or coloration on your skin, or if a mole becomes an irregular shape or larger than a pencil eraser, check with your doctor, because the earlier skin cancer can be detected, the better off you will be.
Consult a qualified Mohs Surgeon for your skin-related queries via Healthwire.
