#Sharethefacts - sun safety and skin cancer
This page is the result of a project that I did for my Health class in school.
During my sophomore year in high school health class, we were asked to create a final project addressing a major health concern. Because I love to bike and be outside, I decided to pick sun safety and skin cancer awareness. I found a really great resource at www.skincancer.org They have a campaign called #Sharethefacts. Most of the Images on this page came directly from their toolkit and are meant to be copied and shared. If you care about the topic of skin cancer and sun safety, visit them and help #sharethefacts too.
All my life, my parents have been very strict about sunscreen, but mostly just when we go to the pool or to the beach. In 2018, my mom discovered that she had a spot of basal cell carcinoma, the most common and treatable form of skin cancer, on her cheek. She had to go through a process called Mohs surgery to remove the cancer. The surgery left a small hole on her face about the size of a dime where they had to cut out the bad cells. The healing process wasn't too long, but she does still have a scar. Whenever my brothers and I complain about wearing sunscreen, she will point to her scar and say, "ok, guess you want one of these on your face too."
Being a biker and being outside means including sunscreen in your toolkit along with other important safety items like helmets, pads and plenty of water. Another part of sun protection for bikers should be sunglasses. We bikers need to be aware of sun exposure and damage as we enjoy the great outdoors and shred the trails.
Here's an article just about sun protection while biking, but read on for more details on sun safety and skin cancer
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/fitness-and-training/how-to-prevent-sunburn-when-youre-cycling/
August is skin cancer awareness month!
1 in 5 Americans will devlop skin cancer by the age of 70? That's kind of a scary fact, but most skin cancers, when caught early, can be effectively treated. Even easy skin cancer treatments can be painful (see my story above)
Wearing sunscreen is just the first step in protecting yourself. Make sure you always check for new or unusual spots. If you find something that looks different or weird, see a dermatologist right away.
Did you read that? Getting sunburned more than 5 times in your life can DOUBLE your risk of skin cancer! Use that sunscreen and cover what you can!
facts about skin cancer
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of mutated cells in the outer layer of skin. These cells develop because of damaged DNA. While skin cancer can be easily treated, if it's undiagnosed at an early stage, the abnormal cells can spread to other parts of your body like your organs and lymp nodes.
According to Cancer.net, there are 4 types of skin cancer
· Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cells are the round cells found in the lower level of skin, or epidermis. About 80% of skin cancers develop from this type of cell. These cancers are called as basal cell carcinomas. This type of skin cancer usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
· Squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the skin is made up of flat, scale-like cells, called squamous cells. Around 20% of skin cancers develop from these cells, and these cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. About 2% to 5% of squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of the body, which makes it more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.
· Melanoma. The epidermis is your top layer of skin. Right below that is the dermis. Here, there are tough connective tissues, hair follicles and sweat glands along with scattered cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which gives skin its color. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious type of skin cancer.
· Merkel cancer. Merkel cell cancer is a highly aggressive, or fast-growing, rare cancer. It starts in hormone-producing cells just beneath the skin and in the hair follicles. It is usually found in the head and neck region.
That doesn't sound good, how does my DNA get damaged?
According to www.skincancer.com, " The two main causes of skin cancer are the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and the use of UV tanning beds." In fact, getting a blistering sunburn more than 5 times in one's life doubles your chances of getting skin cancer.
Um...I've definitely had sun burns before. Am I doomed?
No! There's good news. According to the site molemap.net.au, "Knowing the signs and symptoms of skin cancer is a vital component to staying healthy." When skin cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be easily treated. In fact, the 5 year survival rate for someone diagnosed with localized melanoma (cancer that hasn't spread past the skin layer) is 98% (source: American Cancer Society)
Ok, so what are the signs and symptoms I should watch?
The Australian website, molemap.net suggests following ABCDE:
- Asymmetry. Does one side of the mole not match the other?
- Border irregularity. Are the edges of the mole are ragged or blurred?
- Color. Does the mole appear to be multicoloured? Does it have dark brown, blue, black, or red colours in it?
- Diameter. Is it larger than 6 mm or the size of a pencil eraser?
- Evolving. Does it change colour, size, or texture over time?
Everything looks good...how can I keep it that way?
Here's some more great news about skin cancer: practicing sun safety can help prevent skin cancer later. The Kids Health website has a great page dedicated to sun safety. Even if you're not a kid, these things apply to you too. Because our skin gets damaged from overexposure to UVA and UVA rays from the sun, practice the following:
WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing a broad-spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) —an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply a generous amount and re-apply often. It’s worth noting that even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays reach the earth. This "invisible sun" can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.
Avoid the Strongest Rays of the Day
Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the northern hemisphere).
Cover Up
Make sure your clothes offer enough protection. To test if a garment will protect you from the sun, put your hand inside it to make sure you can't see it through. For us out there on our bikes, covering up for physical and sun safety is important. Make sure to put sunscreen on anywhere you aren’t covered with cloths and protective gear.
Wear Sunglasses
Sun exposure damages the eyes as well as the skin. Even 1 day in the sun can lead to a burned cornea and exposure over time can cause cataracts.The best way to protect eyes is to wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
Double-Check Medicines
Some medicines make skin more sensitive to UV rays, especially those prescribed for skin conditions like creams and acne treatments. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your prescription or over-the-counter medications increase your sensitivity to the sun.
I've seen something that looks odd. ..what now?!
It's time to find a Dermatologist! A Dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin care. They can scan and test for skin cancer using a biopsy. This is when a small part of your suspicious mole or spot is cut off and sent to a lab for analysis. If they determine that you have skin cancer, they will know the type and the correct treatment plan. Most cancers can be removed easily with minimal surgeries, but some do require radiation treatment or chemotherapy.
Need a Dermatologist and don't know where to start? Here's a great resource:
https://www.skincancer.org/treatment-resources/find-a-dermatologist/