Skin Cancer Awareness: Your Shield Against a Silent Killer
Wait! Is that just a harmless mole, or could it turn into something more serious? Skin cancer is affecting an increasing number of people every day. What might seem like a normal skin rash or mole may turn into skin cancer in the blink of an eye. To make sure neither you nor your loved ones face this situation, you need to be aware of this serious disease along with skin
cancer prevention tips to avoid the possible onset of this disease. Skin cancer awareness campaigns aim to educate individuals about the importance of sun protection, early detection, and regular skin screenings to reduce the global burden of this preventable disease
What is skin cancer?
To put it simply, it is an abnormal growth of skin cells. There are several layers of skin, among which the most common types are:
- Epidermis [upper layer]
- Dermis[lower layer]
Within each of these layers there are various types of skin cells, such as squamous cells, basal cells, melanocytes, and so on[ these cells are in the upper layer]. Now, the type of skin cancer that an individual might get depends on the type of cell affected by cancer. There are the following types of skin cancer:
- Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] is a pearly or waxy bump as well as a flat, flesh-coloured, or brown scar-like lesion that can turn into skin cancer if left untreated. This is one of the most common types of skin cancer.
- Squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] is a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusty surface that can also affect the nearby tissue if not treated properly.
- Melanoma is one of the most lethal and life-threatening skin cancers, which usually develops as an unusual mole or a new, rapidly growing, irregularly shaped lesion that is more likely to be metastasis [the spread of cancer to somewhere it didn’t originate]. Early detection is crucial in this case.
Along with the above-mentioned skin cancers, there are some more, namely Kaposi sarcoma, skin lymphoma, and so on. Depending on the type and stage of skin cancer, there are various treatments to cure it. Early skin cancer detection is an equally important aspect of skin cancer awareness, as it increases the chances of completely curing the disease.
Early warning signs of skin cancer
Although there are various symptoms for cancer, some of the most common symptoms indicating skin cancer are as follows:
- A new mole, lesion, bump, patch, etc. develops and doesn’t disappear.
- The lesion developed has no clear borders, i.e., it is asymmetrical.
- Redness, bleeding, and scaling of the developed lesion
- Consistent itching and pain in the affected area.
- The colour of the developed bump or lesion is unusual.
Skin cancer prevention tips
Below are some of the most highly effective skin cancer prevention strategies:
- One of the most prominent reasons for skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation. Avoid going out in the sun during peak hours. U.V. radiation protection is a must for skin protection.
- Avoid using tanning beds.
- Wear sunscreen at all times.
- Opt for sun-protective clothing along with hats or sunglasses while going out in the sun.
- Keep track of any unusual changes in your skin and maintain proper hygiene.
Note from Blue Bliss
Cancer is a ruthless disease and requires a lot of effort from everybody, be it the patient, his family, or his health care provider. The best and most reliable advice on cancer prevention is to detect it early. Consult the top skin specialists at Blue Bliss Hospital in Bangalore if you notice any unusual changes. It is extremely important for us to make people aware of this deadly disease. It is crucial to prioritise your skin’s health and protect it from harmful UV rays from the sun.
