Skin Awareness
Spring has sprung, and summer is just around the corner.
The drying atmosphere of the winter and it's radiators will slowly be replaced by increasing humidity and bright sunshine.
Don't leave your sunscreen behind.
It is an absolute summer time essential.
Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, pre-mature ageing, and even skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Skin cancer is on the rise.
Cases of melanomas have been doubling almost every ten years.
Various types of skin cells can become cancerous, and this leads to the different types of skin cancers, such as melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma.
Each type of cancer has a unique set of characteristics.
It would be unrealistic to expect that you would be able to recognise these individual cancers, but what is important, is that you know your skin well enough to notice when changes occur.
This is known as being "skin aware.
" What is Skin Awareness? Skin awareness is about knowing your skin, protecting it and monitoring it.
This is something we should all be vigilant with.
The first course of action to keeping your skin healthy is prevention.
Know your skin type and wear appropriate sun protection (hats, full length clothing and sun creams).
There are certain groups of people who tend to be at higher risk of skin cancer, these are:
Record the location of the mole and the date.
It's a good idea to place a coin next to the mole to indicate the mole's size.
Do you know the ABCDE rule? If you do find a mole or some kind of skin irregularity, it is a good idea to apply the ABCDE rule to help you determine your course of action.
If you notice any of the following "red flags", make an appointment with your doctor to have your skin examined.
Asymmetry: Half the lesion does not match the other half.
Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
Colour: Pigmentation is not uniform and may display shades of tan, brown, or black; white, reddish, or blue discolouration is of particular concern.
Diameter: A diameter greater than 6 mm warrants further examination, though any new growth in a mole warrants an evaluation.
Evolving: Changes in the mole over time should be reviewed by your doctor.
Conclusion Become skin aware.
Protect your skin by avoiding sunbathing.
Stay out of the sun when it is at it's peak, and always wear sunscreen.
Also please remember that sun beds are not a safe alternative to tanning outside, according to Cancer Research UK, sun beds are estimated to cause 100 deaths per year from melanoma in the UK alone.
Enjoy the summer responsibly and stay healthy.
Further information For more information on this subject, please visit http://www.
sunsmart.
org.
uk/index.
htm
The drying atmosphere of the winter and it's radiators will slowly be replaced by increasing humidity and bright sunshine.
Don't leave your sunscreen behind.
It is an absolute summer time essential.
Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, pre-mature ageing, and even skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Skin cancer is on the rise.
Cases of melanomas have been doubling almost every ten years.
Various types of skin cells can become cancerous, and this leads to the different types of skin cancers, such as melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma.
Each type of cancer has a unique set of characteristics.
It would be unrealistic to expect that you would be able to recognise these individual cancers, but what is important, is that you know your skin well enough to notice when changes occur.
This is known as being "skin aware.
" What is Skin Awareness? Skin awareness is about knowing your skin, protecting it and monitoring it.
This is something we should all be vigilant with.
The first course of action to keeping your skin healthy is prevention.
Know your skin type and wear appropriate sun protection (hats, full length clothing and sun creams).
There are certain groups of people who tend to be at higher risk of skin cancer, these are:
- Those who tan poorly and burn easily
- People with fair or red hair
- Individuals with lots of moles or freckles
- Those on immunosuppressive therapy
- People with previous excessive exposure
- Individuals who have previously dealt with skin cancer
- Those with a family history of skin cancer
Record the location of the mole and the date.
It's a good idea to place a coin next to the mole to indicate the mole's size.
Do you know the ABCDE rule? If you do find a mole or some kind of skin irregularity, it is a good idea to apply the ABCDE rule to help you determine your course of action.
If you notice any of the following "red flags", make an appointment with your doctor to have your skin examined.
Asymmetry: Half the lesion does not match the other half.
Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
Colour: Pigmentation is not uniform and may display shades of tan, brown, or black; white, reddish, or blue discolouration is of particular concern.
Diameter: A diameter greater than 6 mm warrants further examination, though any new growth in a mole warrants an evaluation.
Evolving: Changes in the mole over time should be reviewed by your doctor.
Conclusion Become skin aware.
Protect your skin by avoiding sunbathing.
Stay out of the sun when it is at it's peak, and always wear sunscreen.
Also please remember that sun beds are not a safe alternative to tanning outside, according to Cancer Research UK, sun beds are estimated to cause 100 deaths per year from melanoma in the UK alone.
Enjoy the summer responsibly and stay healthy.
Further information For more information on this subject, please visit http://www.
sunsmart.
org.
uk/index.
htm
Source...