Words of warning regarding skincare as the warm summer sun approaches
Dear Sir,
SKIN cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with on average 8,000 new skin cancers diagnosed annually. Skin cancer is more common among men than women and this maybe attributed to the fact that many men work outdoors and play sport. There are two main types of skin cancer which can be broadly categorised as Non-Melanoma and Melanoma.
The subtype of Non-Melanoma relates to basal cell carcinoma which is the most common type of skin cancer and may appear like a waxy, scarlike or pearly based blemish on the skin of the neck, ears and face.
This is a cancer at the basis of the skin epidermis. Generally basal cell cancers do not spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cancer in Ireland. It is a cancer of the skin cells close to the skin surface which may appear like a hard red lump on the face, ears, neck or arms or may have a scaly, crusted appearance. Again it is rare for this cancer to spread.
There are other types of skin cancer which are quite rare. These cancers are usually removed by surgery and more rarely using radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Melanoma is a cancer of the cells that make melanin which determines your skin colouring. It is an increasingly prevalent disease with on average 750 new cases diagnosed annually in Ireland. It is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma may develop in the surface of the skin as a mole or in more rare cases may develop in the bowel, in your eye, under your fingernails or toenails. Melanoma has the ability to spread to other organs. Treatment for Melanoma will depend on the stage of the disease and may include surgery, radiotherapy, rarely chemotherapy and more recently advances using immunotherapy to harness the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer.
The main cause of skin cancer is believed to be over-exposure to the sun. The overuse of sunlamps and sunbeds may also be contributory factors.
Skin cancer is simple to treat if diagnosed early and people must assess and check their moles regularly.
Please contact your GP immediately notice any skin changes. Use the following ABCDE to check your moles: A – aysmmetry – one part of the mole is different to another part B - borders have become irregular or uneven C – colour is changing or there are 2 or more colours in the mole D – diameter is more than 6 mm E – evolution i.e. its changing if you
Prevention is the key message in relation to skin cancer and this begins in childhood with the single most important message – Do not get sun burnt. We all need to remember to Slip, Slap, Slop and Wrap during the warm weather : Slip on a loose tee shirt Slap on a wide brimmed hat which covers the back of the neck Slop on sunscreen Wrap on sunglasses Enjoy the lovely warm weather.
Yours, Clincical Nurse Manager, Liz Summersby Oncology Unit, Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda