Prevalent but Preventable: Skin Cancer Awareness Month
May 16, 2018
The month of May- just as February is dedicated to heart health and April is marked by Autism Awareness- is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The effects of any type of cancer are devastating; we are all well aware of it, whether it be from word of mouth or personal experience. Still, though, its effects are hard to ignore; we often convince ourselves that if it doesn’t apply to us, we don’t have to worry about it. Life, however, comes with no such guarantees. The Skin Cancer Foundation is trying to prove just that.
Ask yourself– how much do you really know about skin cancer?
Skin cancer includes– but is not limited to– melanomas, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Tumors can be benign (stationary) or malignant (spreading throughout the entire body, metastasize). Especially with malignant tumors, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.
Basal cell carcinomas are very common but usually very treatable. They typically develop in areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun, but may grow elsewhere. Squamous cell carcinomas develop (as the name says) in squamous cells which make up the upper levels of the skin. Though they are less common than the other three, melanomas tend to be more serious as they are more malignant. While basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are also malignant, it is unlikely that they will spread to other parts of the body.
The best thing you can do is be aware of your own self. If you notice anything odd like any new or abnormal growths or discoloration (even what look like moles can be an indication of skin cancer), go to a doctor. Better safe than sorry.
So how does this all apply to us?
9,500 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed everyday. The chance exists, why test your luck?
Junior Kafui Sakyi-Addo stated, “I think that it’s kind of scary how many people are diagnosed with skin cancer every single day and the fact that we literally don’t talk about it. I think that that’s a major part of the problem: how are people going to be aware of skin cancer and know that they have it if it’s never talked about?”
One in five Americans develop it by the age of 70, making it the most prevalent type of cancer in the U.S. Don’t let that discourage you though.
Skin cancer may be the most prevalent cancer type in the U.S., but it is also arguably the most preventable. 85-90 percent of melanomas and skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun (no, destroying the sun is not an option). With the end of school and summer being right around the corner, it is wise to keep yourself safe. It is advised to avoid excessively going outside during times where ultraviolet rays are at their peak (10 A.M. to 4 P.M.). This doesn’t mean you should huddle in solitude with a chip, a tissue, and a penny at your feet. After all, other factors are involved in cancer. Cancer is complex and can be a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Still, just make sure that whenever you know you are going to be outside for long durations, you wear protective sunscreen and longer sleeves when possible.
“I think that it’s kind of scary how many people are diagnosed with skin cancer every single day and the fact that we literally don’t talk about it. I think that that’s a major part of the problem: how are people going to know that they have skin cancer if it’s never talked about?”
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