On a warm, sunny Saturday or Sunday afternoon, when families are streaming into Prairie Lodge’s “grandchildren’s outdoor swimming pool,” let’s hope that the senior residents are setting a good example for their younger kin. Because skin damage begins in one’s early years and continues throughout a lifetime, it is important for grandparents to teach good sunscreen protection habits to younger family members. Children as young as the age of 9 and 10 can contact the more deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma. Today, skin cancer is alarmingly on the rise among younger people, especially girls who are craving the so-called “beauty of a sun tan” through natural or artificial (tanning salon) means. It is increasing among all races and ages.
There are three forms of skin cancer: basal cell (BCC), squamous cell (SCC), and melanoma. Basal cell is the most common type of skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it frequently appears as a flesh-colored bump or dome that can easily bleed or a pinkish patch on sun-exposed skin. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. But if not treated promptly, BCC can invade the surrounding tissue. There it can grow into nerves and bones where it can cause damage and disfigurement. Autumn Green, a Physician Assistant at Altman Dermatology Associates, Arlington Heights, adds, “It tends to grow slowly, but early treatment is important because BCC can grow wide and deep.”
Squamous cell is the second most common type of cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), squamous cell is usually reddish in color. It resembles a firm bump or scaly patch or becomes an ulcer that doesn’t heal on sun-exposed skin. Because SCC can grow deep, early treatment can prevent disfigurement damage and stop SCC from spreading to other parts of the body. Together BCC and SCC comprise about 3.5 million skin carcinomas, of which 3000 cases will become fatal.
It is estimated that 120,000 U.S. citizens will develop melanoma this year, an increase from a recent number of 76,600. It is a highly aggressive cancer that tends to metastasize (spread) and, as a result, needs early treatment. In fact, livestrong.com informs us that studies have shown that melanoma can spread to almost any area of the body, a wider variety of areas than any other cancer. Usually pigmented, it frequently develops in a mole or appears suddenly as a dark spot on the skin. Each year according to AAD, more than 8500 Americans (nearly one person per hour) die from melanoma.
Ms. Green advises us, “It’s important to familiarize yourself with the ABCDEs of atypical moles.” These warning signs include: A for ASYMMETRY or each half unlike the other; B for BORDER or poorly defined border; C stands for COLOR with varied shades in the same area, many color selection possibilities; D stands for DIAMETER or usually greater than 6 mm in size; E for EVOLVING of a mole or lesion looking different than the rest or changing in size, shape, or color.
Please check on the website, bottomlinepublications.com, under the subject of Hidden Melanoma/ Health & Healing. The all-comprehensive medical article explains the unusual locations that melanoma can “take up shop” on the human body. These include the sole of the foot, the palm of the hand, under a fingernail, inside an eye, in mucous membranes of the nose or the mouth, on the testicles, penis, or in the vagina, even areas never exposed to the sun.
EARLY DETECTION IS CRITICAL!
What to do?
(1) Understand your own personal risk factors. If you must tan, use one of the newer artificial safe liquid tanners. (2) Exams are so important to detect first time occurrences, as well as repeated occurrences. Yearly check-ups are highly recommended. ALL skin cancer is treatable when caught early! Full body exams are now done by professionals in dermatology offices.
Autumn admonishes us, “…know your body and be aware of any changes on the skin that you notice. Also know that non-healing wounds are not normal and should be examined by your local dermatology office.” The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery’s website also recommends monthly self-exams. Follow-up appointments are essential, too. (3) Engage in all sun-protection: Ms. Green adds, “Avoid the sun during mid-day 10 a.m.-3 p.m., when direct sunlight is strongest. Wear your sunscreen, that means at least SPF 30+ [and a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays].” Know your UV Index Numbers. (4) Recent research has provided us with special sun-protective clothing, especially designed in tight-woven cotton (check online for local locations) that comes in long-sleeved shirts, pants, etc…. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses also.
Three Sun City ladies would like you to know about their skin cancer history. Let’s listen to their stories.
Anne Broderick, a retired nurse, tells us, “I had an area on my nose that did not heal, so I went to a dermatologist. I have since had many lesions removed over the past 30 years. I see my doctor every 3 to 6 months; this will be a lifetime concern. Most of my lesions were basal cell. I have had 2 squamous cell lesions: 1 on my arm and 1 on my forehead. All the cancer was removed surgically. In the last 6 years, they were removed by MOHS procedures. I continue to be followed by my doctor every 3 months.”
Joan Souchek, a retired secretary, informs us, “My skin cancers were discovered by my dermatologist over several years. I have had multiple skin cancers, mainly on my legs, which have been surgically removed. These have been squamous cell carcinoma and a recent one required 17 stitches. I also had a MOHS procedure on my nose, requiring 12 stitches about 5 years ago and a squamous cell carcinoma. It looked only like a small pimple. I visit the dermatologist every six months.” Joan continues by telling us of her youth being spent by a pool or a lake. She adds that she has been playing golf for years. “With continued swimming, my skin is in terrible condition, even with the use of special skin creams. It is very important for everyone to see a dermatologist on a regular basis to determine if there is any skin cancer and continue required treatment.”
Audrey Olsen, a former high school teacher, finalizes, “My skin cancer [melanoma stage 2] was found by accident. I had another skin problem on my hands and legs, and went to 3-4 dermatologists before I decided to call up Mayo Clinic for a referral. When I went to that dermatologist, she was the only one who wanted to do a total skin exam, where the others just checked my problem areas. She found 2-3 suspicious moles and did biopsies on them. I was shocked to hear that I had cancer, the worst kind. I went to a specialist who only removes skin cancer, and had surgery that was deep and expansive. It was on the back of my thigh which I never checked [or could see]. That was in 1999, and since then, I have been cancer-free. I do go to that dermatologist every six months for a total skin exam. I now wear big hats and stay out of the sun as much as possible.”
