The month of May is Skin Cancer awareness month. This is an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and educate people about the ways to help prevent skin cancer.
UV exposure from the sun is one of the main causes of skin cancer and also one of the most preventable.This may be long term exposure, or short periods of intense sun exposure and burning.
This campaign hopes to reduce instances of skin cancer and increase the possibility of early detection through education.
Skin cancers can grow slowly and it can take some years before a cancer is noticed. But sometimes a skin cancer can grow very quickly, within a few months.
So here are a few tips to help protect yourself and possibly prevent skin cancer.
Cover up
Wearing appropriate clothing should always be your first line of defence against damage from the sun. This may include wearing a hat and UV protective sunglasses and maybe even an umbrella when you have to spend any extended periods of time in the sun.
Using the right sunscreen
Contrary to popular opinion, sunscreen is not meant only for light skinned people. Everybody needs to protect their skin when they go out in the sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF30 (SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’) and refers to the level of protection against UVB radiation, linked to skin cancer. Look for a four or ideally five star UVA rating on the bottle which will help protect from UVA radiation, associated with skin ageing. Also babies and toddlers should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Get your timing right
Skin needs time to absorb sunscreen, so apply generously about 20 to 30 minutes before going out. Reapply frequently at least every two hours, as it can come off when sweating or through rubbing.
Seek shelter!
The sun tends to be strongest in the middle of the day, so ideally it would be good to find some shade typically between 11am and 3pm. It doesn’t take a long time for skin to get damaged by excess sun exposure. Again if for some reason you can’t avoid being out in the sun then take all the necessary precautions listed above.
It is also important to know what to look out for when it comes to early detection of skin cancer.
To spot skin cancers early, it helps to know how your skin normally looks. That way, you’ll notice any changes more easily. To check your back or other areas you can’t see easily, get your partner or a trusted friend to check. This is very important if you are regularly outside in the sun for work or leisure.
When to see your doctor
See your doctor if you have:
- A birthmark that looks like it’s changing in shape or size
- a spot or sore that doesn’t heal within 4 weeks
- a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or bleeds for more than 4 weeks
- areas where the skin has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn’t heal within 4 weeks, and you can’t think of a reason for this change
Your doctor can decide whether you need any tests.
There are tests that can detect skin cancer and treatment is available and quite effective once detection is made early enough.
