A Look at Skin Cancer Continued....
There are several warning signs to watch for when monitoring for skin cancer. Skin cancer includes three types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a raised pink or red translucent, pearly area that may bleed following minor injury. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a growing lump, often with a rough surface, or as a flat, reddish patch that grows slowly and may be tender. Melanoma is typically a pigmented (tan or brown) lesion that changes in size, shape, or color. Any of these skin changes should be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist.
Not only to protect from skin cancer, but also to avoid sun burn and early signs of aging, everyone should practice sun protection on a daily basis. The use of sunscreen on a daily basis is a great habit to get into, but it should be reapplied approximately every 2 hours if the day is spent outside. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, key terms to look for on a sunscreen label include the following: Broad Spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB radiation), water resistant or very water resistant, and SPF 30 or greater.4
SPF is often a confusing or misunderstood term on sunscreen labels. SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”, which is the percentage of the sun’s rays that are blocked with that particular sunscreen. For example, SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of the sun’s rays.4 A higher number of SPF will block a higher percentage of rays, but there is no sunscreen that blocks 100%. It is a common misconception that a higher SPF will keep a person from burning longer than a lower SPF, however all sunscreens last the same amount of time and need to be reapplied at the same time intervals. 4
Application of sunscreen is a topic in itself. Numerous studies have been done on sunscreen application and results show that most people apply only 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. As a result, most users are not achieving the level of protection stated on the bottle of sunscreen.5 The guideline set by the American Academy of Dermatology is “1 ounce, enough to fill a shot glass,” which is considered the amount needed to cover exposed areas of the body on a warm day.4 For the face alone, approximately a tablespoon of sunscreen should be adequate. All sunscreen needs to be applied 15-20 minutes prior to sun exposure and to dry skin only.
Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect skin from the sun. Other good behaviors to practice regularly include seeking shade when available, avoiding activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest, and wearing protective clothing including a hat with a 4-inch brim around the entire head (baseball caps do not cover ears!). Also keep in mind that water, snow, and sand all reflect the rays of the sun, which makes the chances of sun damage greater. Most people enjoy spending the day outdoors when the weather becomes warmer and the sun is shining brightly. It is perfectly fine to do so, but please keep the above tips in mind to protect your skin for years to come.
Dr. Gina L. Weir is a Board-Certified Dermatologist at South Lincoln Dermatology Clinic. A native of Lincoln, Dr. Weir returned home to practice after completing her Dermatology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2014. She has been in practice at South Lincoln Dermatology with senior partner Dr. Rodney Basler for the past 2 years. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic at 402-421-3335.
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Not only to protect from skin cancer, but also to avoid sun burn and early signs of aging, everyone should practice sun protection on a daily basis. The use of sunscreen on a daily basis is a great habit to get into, but it should be reapplied approximately every 2 hours if the day is spent outside. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, key terms to look for on a sunscreen label include the following: Broad Spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB radiation), water resistant or very water resistant, and SPF 30 or greater.4
SPF is often a confusing or misunderstood term on sunscreen labels. SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”, which is the percentage of the sun’s rays that are blocked with that particular sunscreen. For example, SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of the sun’s rays.4 A higher number of SPF will block a higher percentage of rays, but there is no sunscreen that blocks 100%. It is a common misconception that a higher SPF will keep a person from burning longer than a lower SPF, however all sunscreens last the same amount of time and need to be reapplied at the same time intervals. 4
Application of sunscreen is a topic in itself. Numerous studies have been done on sunscreen application and results show that most people apply only 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. As a result, most users are not achieving the level of protection stated on the bottle of sunscreen.5 The guideline set by the American Academy of Dermatology is “1 ounce, enough to fill a shot glass,” which is considered the amount needed to cover exposed areas of the body on a warm day.4 For the face alone, approximately a tablespoon of sunscreen should be adequate. All sunscreen needs to be applied 15-20 minutes prior to sun exposure and to dry skin only.
Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect skin from the sun. Other good behaviors to practice regularly include seeking shade when available, avoiding activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest, and wearing protective clothing including a hat with a 4-inch brim around the entire head (baseball caps do not cover ears!). Also keep in mind that water, snow, and sand all reflect the rays of the sun, which makes the chances of sun damage greater. Most people enjoy spending the day outdoors when the weather becomes warmer and the sun is shining brightly. It is perfectly fine to do so, but please keep the above tips in mind to protect your skin for years to come.
Dr. Gina L. Weir is a Board-Certified Dermatologist at South Lincoln Dermatology Clinic. A native of Lincoln, Dr. Weir returned home to practice after completing her Dermatology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2014. She has been in practice at South Lincoln Dermatology with senior partner Dr. Rodney Basler for the past 2 years. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic at 402-421-3335.
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- Guy GP, Machlin S, Ekwueme DU, Yabroff KR. Prevalence and costs of skin cancer treatment in the US, 2002–2006 and 2007–2011. Am J Prev Med. 2015;48:183–7.
- Stern RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol. 2010 Mar;146(3):279-82.
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2016. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2016.
- American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org
- Neale, R, Williams, G, Green, A. Application patterns among participants randomized to daily sunscreen use in a skin cancer prevention trial. Arch Dermatol. 2002 Oct; 138, 1319-1325.