Download The Dangers of Skin Cancer

The Dangers of Skin
Cancer
Are we educated enough?
Standing Continuum Activity
• Tanned skin looks more attractive and
healthier.
• Dark skinned people do not need to worry
about skin cancer.
• A base tan can protect your skin from sun
damage.
• You need to wear sunscreen in the winter.
• Tanning beds are a safe way to tan.
Statement of the Problem
Melanoma/skin cancer continues to
increase at an alarming rate.
We need to educate ourselves and
change our perception of tanning.
Are Tan Skins Cool?
• Behavior and attitude
Tanning Salon
Baking under their
artificial lamps as little as
once a month can boost
your risk of a deadly
form of skin cancer by
55% -- and the danger is
even greater when done
in as a teenager.
Significance to Optimal Health
• Spending time outdoors in the fresh air
does wonders for the body and soul. Just
remember that your skin needs extra
protection from the sun.
Types of Skin Canceruncontrollable growth of abnormal cells
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell
carcinomas
Types of Skin Cancer
Malignant Melanoma
(can spread quicklymetastasis)
The ABCD’s of Skin Cancer
• A – Asymmetry
• B – Border
• C – Color
• D – Diameter
Benign vs. Malignant Moles
Other Effects From the Sun
• Skin Damage
• Cataracts and Other Eye Damage
• Immune Suppression
Possible Solutions
• Don’t sunbathe
• Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
• When outdoors use SPF 15 or higher
(reapply every 2 hours & after swimming)
Several sunburns over course of a lifetime
can double/ triple melanoma risk no matter
when sunburns occurred
Possible Solutions
• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, UVprotective sunglasses
• Stay away from artificial tanning devices
• Teach children good sun protection habits at an
early age. 80% of damages that lead to adult
skin cancers start in childhood
• Examine self from head to toe once every 3
months
• Tinted windows in automobile
Year Round Protection
• During winter ( Reflections from snow can double the UV
rays from the sun)
• UV radiation is not only associated with heat
Clouds/ Haze- water droplets magnify UV rays.
Latitude- closer to the equator, more potent sun rays.
Altitude- UV radiation increases 4-5% every 1000 ft. above
sea level.
Reflection- water, sand, concrete and snow reflect 90% of
UV rays.
Photosensitive Reactions- medicines for acne or antibiotics
Treatments
• Removal – Laser /
Excision or cutting out
• Surgery – lymph
nodes
• Chemotherapy /
Immunotherapy
• Radiation
Solution to the Problem
• Sun Avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer
• Visit your dermatologist at least once a year
– Early detection is the surest way to a cure!
Sun Screen! Sun Screen! Sun Screen!
Ultraviolet Radiation Damage
• UVB causes basal,
squamous cell
carcinomas and
melanoma.
• UVA causes wrinkling,
leathering, photo
aging because it
penetrates deeper
and worsens UVB
effects.
Use sunscreen that
blocks both types
of radiation.
Look for “Broad
Spectrum”!
If Not Addressed
• About 91,900 new cases of melanoma in
the United States, in 2003
• 7,600 are expected to die from melanoma
(4,700 men and 2,900 women)
• http://www.savingskin.com/facts.html
Resources
*For more information visit
www.aad.org
*Call the Skin Cancer Institute at
1-800-424-6724
Assignment
• Create a public service slogan
• Purpose: Remind teenagers of the
dangers of skin cancer
– Encourage teens to make sun smart
decisions
– Ex: Well-done in the sun