Skin Cancer

Front line in the war against skin cancers in Manchester, Exeter, Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Cheshire

Government figures show malignant melanoma is the UK's fastest growing cancer, with rates tripling in the three decades to 2003, the latest year for which national statistics are held.

British Association of Dermatology (BAD) say that since 2003 the rise in skin cancer cases has been even higher. The latest research shows that in Cornwall there has been an increase of 18 per cent in the number of cases between 2003 and 2005.

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer —

1. basal cell carcinoma,
2. squamous cell carcinoma
3. melanoma, which is the most serious of skin cancer.

All three types of skin cancer are on the rise — but most skin cancers can be prevented by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and by paying attention to suspicious changes in your skin. And with early detection, you can receive successful treatment for most skin cancers, even the most aggressive forms.

Who Gets Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer develops in people of all colors, from the palest to the darkest. However, skin cancer is most likely to occur in those who have fair skin, light-colored eyes, blonde or red hair, a tendency to burn or freckle when exposed to the sun, and a history of sun exposure. Anyone with a family history of skin cancer also has an increased risk of developing skin cancer. In dark-skinned individuals, melanoma most often develops on non-sun-exposed areas, such as the foot, underneath nails, and on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nasal passages, or genitals. Those with fair skin also can have melanoma develop in these areas.

Prevention

Most skin cancer can be prevented by practicing sun protection, according to numerous research studies. Research also shows that not only does sun protection reduce one’s risk of developing skin cancer; sun protection also may decrease the likelihood of recurrence.

Even if you have spent a lot of time in the sun or developed skin cancer, it’s never too late to begin protecting your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) recommends that everyone protect their skin by following these sun protection practices:

What is Your Risk?

Anyone can develop skin cancer. However, the likelihood of developing skin cancer increases with age and when you have one or more of the risk factors on this checklist:

• History of exposure to UV rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sun lamps - whether intermittent or year round, even if the exposure was years ago
• Had several sunburns or experienced severe, especially blistering, sunburns.
• Live in a geographic region receiving high-intensity sunlight.
• Fair skin, especially when the person has blond or red hair and blue, green, or gray eyes.
• Sun sensitive or tendency to burn or freckle rather than tan
• Close blood relative has/had melanoma, several more-distant relatives have a history of melanoma, or a family history of other skin cancers.
• Personal history of skin cancer.
• One or more atypical mole.
• 50-plus moles
• Diagnosed with actinic keratoses.
• Overexposure or long-term exposure to x-rays, including patients who received x-ray treatments for acne.
• Long-term treatment with immunosuppressive medication, such as those used to prevent organ rejection or treat severe arthritis.
• Weakened immune system caused by a disease, such as lymphoma or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare inherited condition that makes one less able to repair damage caused by sunlight.

If you have any of the above risk factors, it is important that you:

• Perform regular self-examinations of your skin to check for suspicious moles and other lesions that may be skin cancer
• See a dermatologist for regular examinations
• Practice sun protection