SKIN
CANCER
Danger in the
Sunshine
Seven Facts About Skin Cancer
Seven Ways to Avoid Getting
Skin Cancer
Seven Ways to Recognise Skin
Cancer Early
DANGER IN
THE SUNSHINE
Skin cancer can be caught if
treated early - but it is still Britain's fastest growing killer.
In Northern Ireland 20 people die every year - over 200 are referred
to hospitals and that figure is doubling every 10 years.
But despite the increasing
death toll one person in seven doesn’t use a sunscreen. Could
a new pill could let people get a suntan without running the risk
of skin cancer?
Now American scientists have
developed a drug which they say reduces sunburn by up to 50 per
cent.
The drug, BioAstin, is already
on sale in the USA. It was originally marketed as a diet supplement
but users reported the unexpected benefits and tests began on humans.
Those trials are still in their
early stages - and the makers, Hawaii based Cyanotech, are warning
users to slap on the sunscreen as well to make sure.
Scientists believe the pill
works by creating a natural protective barrier against ultraviolet
rays. The chemicals in the drug come from algae which grow in dry,
sunny climates. They stop the algae being destroyed by strong sunlight
and appear to be just as good at protecting human skin.
The Department of Health would
have to thoroughly evaluate the drug before it could become available
here.
The Government has recently
relaunched their campaign aimed at making people more aware of the
risk of over-exposure to the sun
Skin cancer is also the most
common type in the United States.
According to current estimates
40 to 50 per cent of Americans who live to 65 will have the disease
at least once.
Although anyone can get skin
cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin that
freckles easily.
That is often those with red
or blond hair and blue or light coloured eyes.
The worldwide market in sunscreen
products is worth an estimated £156million a year with millions
heading for the sun to get an all-over tan despite the well publicised
risks.
SEVEN
FACTS ABOUT SKIN CANCER
| |
Most
skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun |
| |
Skin
cancer is the commonest form of cancer in the UK |
| |
About
1 hundred thousand people develop skin cancer each year and
even those who have never travelled abroad are still at risk |
| |
Malignant
melanoma affects about 5 thousand people each year and about
2 thousand people die each year from this cancer |
| |
Most skin cancers,
including malignant melanoma, can be cured if treated early |
| |
Skin Cancer is very
rare in children but over exposure to sunlight in childhood
can increase the risk of skin cancer in adult life |
| |
People with brown
or black skin have very little risk of developing skin cancer |
SEVEN
WAYS TO AVOID GETTING SKIN CANCER
| |
Never
allow yourself or your children to get sunburnt |
| |
Limit
your time outdoors in the middle of the day from April to October
when the sun is at its strongest. Do not be fooled by a cool
breeze or light cloud |
| |
In the
summer stay out of the sun in the middle of the day when you
can, by using shade, such as trees or umbrellas |
| |
Wear
t-shirts and hats to cover up as much as possible |
| |
Broad spectrum high
factor (SPF 15 or higher) sunscreens should be applied carefully
on areas that cannot be covered |
| |
A suntan is a sign
of skin damage and gives little protection from the sun. Even
if you are tanned you should continue to protect your skin |
| |
Remember that the
effects of sun exposure on the skin can last forever and that
it is especially important top protect young children |
SEVEN
WAYS TO RECOGNISE SKIN CANCER EARLY
| |
Basal
cell carcinoma is the commonest form of skin cancer. It usually
affects the face and looks like a flesh coloured lump, which
can develop into an ulcer (commonly known as a rodent ulcer) |
| |
Squamous
cell carcinoma is less common. It is commonest on sun-exposed
sites such as the face, hands and legs. It may have a hard scaly
surface and may develop into a lump that bleeds easily when
touched |
| |
Any new
lump on the skin, especially on exposed sites of people over
50, should be checked by a doctor |
| |
Malignant
melanoma is the least common but the most dangerous form of
skin cancer. It can either start on a mole or birthmark or can
arise on previously normal skin |
| |
The commonest signs
of malignant melanoma are a brown or black mole, which changes
in size, in shape or in colour - usually becoming darker. Any
change in a mole should be checked by a doctor |
| |
The more moles you
have, the greater the risk, so be aware of your own moles and
check them regularly |
| |
Remember that most
skin cancers are avoidable but if you develop one and you can
recognise it in its early stages, then the vast majority are
curable |
|
