Sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer. Despite its evident significance, the issue is largely ignored by the general population. The following paper presents recommendations intended to reduce the incidence of skin cancer and assist in the diagnosis and treatment process among patients.
In order to prevent the incidence of skin cancer, the patients are recommended to undergo regular cancer screenings. A typical total cutaneous examination (TCE) is performed by a trained clinician using visual examination, serial photography, and dermoscopy to detect skin cancer and/or the potential risk factors. Such a procedure is recommended to be performed regularly since screening allows for the detection of melanoma tumors at an early stage of development, when it is relatively thin and, therefore, easier to treat. As a result, the mortality rate among patients who underwent screening is sufficiently lower due to the higher efficiency of treatment initiated at an early stage.
A recent study indicated a “moderate performance of the SCREEN intervention” characterized by thinner melanomas and lower frequency of nodular melanoma occurrence (Hübner et al., 2017, p. 253). Thus, the recommendations can be expanded to involve skin self-examination (SSE) practices. A study by Stapleton, Turrisi, Mallett, and Robinson (2015) explored the correspondence between the results of skin cancer detection by SSE-trained patients and those done by professional dermatologists. The research team concluded that trained patients “developed a high degree of correspondence with the study dermatologist in identifying concerning lesions” (Stapleton et al., 2015, p. 1247). Considering the high cost of skin cancer treatment, it is thus reasonable to conclude that regular skin examinations are beneficial both for improving patient outcomes and patient satisfaction levels.
It is also important to acknowledge the risk factors for developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is a result of exposure to ultraviolet light. Therefore, the organism’s capacity to endure exposure as well as the external factors that determine its length and intensity play major roles in its development. As a result, populations with certain demographic, physiological, and genetic traits are at an increased risk of its development. The traits include lighter skin tone, freckles, red hair, green or blue eyes, high occurrence of moles, male gender, a weakened immune system, and old age (Belbasis, Stefanaki, Stratigos, & Evangelou, 2016). In addition, certain environmental conditions are known to exacerbate the risk, such as outdoor jobs that necessitate frequent exposure to sunlight or working with certain chemicals (e.g. industrial tar, arsenic, and paraffin) known to increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer incidence (Belbasis et al., 2016). Finally, smoking contributes to the likelihood of developing certain types of skin cancer.
Considering the information above, it is recommended to utilize several safety measures intended to reduce sun exposure. First, appropriate clothing is recommended for outdoor activities. Clothes that cover more skin, such as long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, and trousers, offer greater protection from UV radiation. Hats made of tightly woven fabric with wide brims that are able to shade the face from sun rays also significantly decrease UV exposure. Wearing sunglasses reduces the impact of sunlight on the eyes. It is also recommended to check the items’ compliance with the international standards on UV protection. Finally, a timely application of a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 is recommended for outdoor activities.
Skin cancer is a major health issue. However, as can be seen from the information above, it is largely preventable. Thus, following the suggested recommendations is expected to reduce the incidence of skin cancer among patients.
References
Belbasis, L., Stefanaki, I., Stratigos, A. J., & Evangelou, E. (2016). Non-genetic risk factors for cutaneous melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Journal of Dermatological Science, 84(3), 330-339.
Hübner, J., Waldmann, A., Geller, A. C., Weinstock, M. A., Eisemann, N., Noftz, M.,… Breitbart, E. (2017). Interval cancers after skin cancer screening: Incidence, tumour characteristics and risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. British Journal of Cancer, 116(2), 253-259.
Stapleton, J. L., Turrisi, R., Mallett, K. A., & Robinson, J. K. (2015). Correspondence between pigmented lesions identified by melanoma patients trained to perform partner-assisted skin self-examination and dermatological examination. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers, 24(8), 1247-1253.