The fight against cancer is constant, with early detection and prevention proving the most effective methods of reducing the risk. Cancers form for a variety of reasons but the deaths that relate to excessive consumption can be reduced per year significantly – through a greater understanding and a willingness to change habits. Specialists such as the dermatologist Greenwich CT can advise on the best methods of prevention.
As mentioned above, prevention of skin cancer can be relatively easily done, through greater application and understanding of the potency of UV rays, while early detection by screening can reduce the number of deaths significantly. With an estimated number of new cases of Melanoma (the most deadly) reaching 81,240 in 2012, with 12,190 of those cases leading to death – greater cognizance is required by all. Of the estimated cases of cancer in 2012, Melanoma of the skin is expected to account for 4% of cases in women and 5% in men, the death rate remains considerably lower than that of other cancers.
The difficulty in accounting for all skin cancer cases is that some (basal and squamos cell skin cancers) are not required to be reported to cancer registries, however, it is estimated that 3.5 million cases were diagnosed and 2.2 million people were treated for the disease in 2006. According to the American Cancer Society, there are a number of important signs of skin cancer:
- Change in size, shape, or color of a mole,
- Other skin lesion,
- The appearance of a new growth on the skin
The regular application of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of greater than 15 can effectively protect skin from harmful UV rays, avoiding the sun at its most powerful and also the non-use of tanning beds can reduce significanlty the emergence of skin cancer.
Protecting ourselves and our family is paramount in the summer months; as prevention can be achieved through awareness of the dangers posed by skin cancer, specialists like dermatologist Fairfield CT can assist with any queries one may have.
A normal mole should be no bigger than a pencil eraser. If you find a mole that’s larger than that or has changed size or shape, you should see a dermatologist for a screening.
I have a scar on my right cheek from a large mole removed when I was three years old. It was itchy and the bumpy red part bled when scratched. Turns out it was Basal Cell Carcinoma.