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Skin cancer 101: Don’t be a statistic
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Find out how to spot danger and prevent it with the latest stats and information about skin cancer
By Avril Roberts
Over 73,000 Canadians this year will be diagnosed with the two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. And 4600 Canadians will likely develop melanoma. You don’t have to join the crowd. Most skin cancers can be avoided, and you can take these steps to reduce your risk.
Watch your UVAs and UVBs
The sun’s ultraviolet rays are invisible, but not their effects on your skin. The negative effects of UVB rays surface fairly quickly as sunburn. The UVA rays take longer to reveal their damage – prematurely wrinkled, leathery skin. “That’s because UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and change the elasticity of skin tissue,” says Dr. Jason Rivers, a dermatologist who practices at Pacific Dermaesthetics in Vancouver. “UVA rays can also cause skin rashes in people who take certain diuretics and a number of other drugs, and people who have lupus.” Both UVA and UVB rays are linked to skin cancer.
Even a golden, glowing tan is suspect. “A tan signals that your skin is being damaged and it is trying to minimize further damage by producing pigment to absorb the radiation,” says Dr. Rivers. So be safe: Cover up, seek out shade, and slather on sunscreen. Dr. Rivers suggests looking for the newer products containing good UVA blockers, such as Mexoryl™ or Tinosorb®. If you hate messy creams, consider a spray. Also, steer clear of tanning beds.
Know your risk level
Fair-skinned people with sun-sensitive skin are at the highest risk for damage from excessive sun exposure but everyone is at risk. How do you rate?
| | Skin Type |
Sunburn and Tanning History |
Skin Cancer Risk |
| 1 |
always burn |
never tan |
high |
| 2 |
burn easily |
tan minimally |
high |
| 3 |
burn moderately |
tan gradually to light brown |
moderate |
| 4 |
burn minimally |
tan well to moderately brown |
moderate |
| 5 |
rarely burn |
tan profusely to dark brown |
low, but still at risk |
| 6 |
never burn |
have naturally dark skin |
low, but still at risk |
(Adapted from the US Centers for Disease Control)
Look for danger signs
Dr. Rivers recommends that “if you have a lot of moles (more than 50) or a family history of skin cancer, then you should probably do a major skin check twice a year.” Otherwise, once a year should be fine.
See your doctor or a dermatologist if you detect an ‘Ugly Duckling’:
• a mole that looks totally different from the others;
• a mole or patch of skin that is changing in size, shape or colour;
• a sore that does not heal within four weeks;
• or any of the warning signs shown below.
Types of Skin Cancer
| Warning Signs |
| Basal cell |
- a firm, flesh-coloured or reddish-bump, often with a pearly border
- a sore or pimple-like growth that bleeds, crusts over then reappears
- a small, red scaly patch | | Squamous cell |
- thickened, red or dark-brown, scaly bumps or wart-like growths
- an open sore or crusted skin | | Melanoma* |
- a new brown or black, flat, freckle-like spot
- a change in the shape, colour or size of an existing mole | | Actinic keratoses |
- red, rough, scaly spots (these are skin lesions that can change into squamous cell skin cancer) |
* Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer but, if found and treated early, it has one of the highest cure rates. It can appear anywhere on the skin, but in fair-skinned people, it’s usually on the back and legs; while in darker-skinned people, it’s more likely to show up on palms, soles, and under the nails.
(Source: Canadian Dermatology Association)
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