Dangers Of Skin Cancer: Two Common Nonmelanoma Types Are On The Rise
As summer approaches, many of us are more proactive about putting on sunscreen, but this should be a year-round habit, especially considering two types of skin cancer are on the rise. According to a new report from Mayo Clinic, diagnoses for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have soared.
Between 2000 and 2010, diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma increased more than 260 percent, while basal cell carcinoma cases increased 145 percent. Both types are nonmelanoma.
Read: Can A Drink Prevent Skin Cancer? Drinkable Sunscreen Company Sued Over 'Osmosis' Protection Claims
“We know that the sun and some artificial sunlight sources give off skin-damaging ultraviolet, or UV rays,” study author and dermatologist Christian Baum, said in a statement. “This skin damage accumulates over time and can often lead to skin cancer.”
Baum and his colleagues findings revealed that women ages 30-49 experienced the greatest increase in basal cell carcinoma diagnoses; whereas women ages 40-59 and 70-79 had the greatest increase in squamous cell carcinomas.
Baum notes the risk of skin cancer should be enough to convince people to apply sunscreen.
“Use sunscreen,” he said. “This includes on your left arm for those who do a lot of driving. UV rays can penetrate car windows and exposed skin - even when the sun isn’t shining. UV rays bounce under the clouds, off the snow, buildings, and more, causing damage - even on gray days.”
Read: Skin Cancer Causes: Why Ultraviolet Light Causes Cancer And How To Limit Exposure
Other ways to protect against any form of skin cancer are to stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds. Exposure to UV radiation through a tanning bed is not a safer option than natural sunlight, as both cause skin damage. Although the damage may not be visible while you’re young, it’s slow accumulates
“Eventually those blistering sunburns of your youth and hot, reddened skin, and peeling shoulders of your adulthood can add up to one or more skin cancers,” Baum said.
It’s important to always check your skin for any unusual changes. Detecting skin cancer at an early stage will increase the chance of having a successful skin cancer treatment. Common signs of basal cell carcinoma are a pearly or waxy bump, or a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion. Here’s a photo of how it may look. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a firm red, nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly crusted surface, as seen in this photo.
Regardless of your skin color, either dark or fair, skin cancer can still affect you.
See also: Melanoma Treatment 2017: New Insight Into Deadliest Skin Cancer May Lead To Effective Personalized Chemo
