We hope this booklet will help you, your family and. If you arent sure which type of skin cancer you have, ask your doctor so you can get the right information. Sun safety and skin cancer booklet skcin have produced a pocket sized a6 booklet that contains comprehensive. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the united states. With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the united states each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the united states. Thats why preventing skin cancer by protecting yourself completely requires a comprehensive approach. Surgeon general call to action to prevent skin cancer.
This brochure has vital information for you on the three most common forms of skin cancer basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, including what they look like, what their dangers are and the many ways to treat them. Skin cancer booklet health edco sun safety products. One out of every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer, which means awareness and prevention are essential. The pillthe vitamin b 3 supplement called nicotinamidecut the rate of new squamouscell and basalcell skin cancers by 23% compared with placebo after 1 year among patients at high risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers as. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade. Skin cancer prevention follow these tips to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure and reduce your risk of skin cancer. We provide practical information to help you understand what you are going through, including answers to common questions, tips, checklists and where to go for support. The sun sustains life and feels good, but it can be your skins worst enemy.
The 10 commandments of cancer prevention harvard health. Other risk factors for skin cancer include having a family history of skin cancer, a history of sunburns or other longterm skin problems, a weakened immune system, or older age. Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the suns rays are strongest between 10 a. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by exposure to ultraviolet uv rays. Nine things to know to reduce your skin cancer risk right now.
Government, business, health, education, community, nonprofit, and faith. The prevention of common skin cancers and precancers is possible by taking an inexpensive, widely available, oral pill twice daily. Tips for preventing skin cancer new york city manhattan ny. Prevention research funded by the melanoma research alliance and others continues to advance our understanding of the causes of melanoma, and how genetics may play a role. Skin cancer affects more people worldwide than all other types of cancer combined. Even though i knew i had almost every risk factor for skin cancer, i fell into the far too common trap of thinking that skin cancer wouldnt happen to me, says ginny. Understanding skin cancer cancer council australia. Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both uva and uvb rays.
The paragraphs below provide 11 great diet and nutrition related tips that can help reduce your risk of skin cancer. Treatment will be more effective if a skin cancer is detected early. Observational and analytic epidemiologic studies have. Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the skin. Cooler temperatures remind us that dog days of summer are over, but that doesnt mean you should skip wearing sunscreen until spring break arrives. The surgeon generals call to action to prevent skin cancer calls on partners in prevention from various sectors across the nation to address skin cancer as a major public health problem. Skin cancer skin cancer facts common skin cancer types.
The suns uv rays penetrate the skin, causing damage and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Skin also helps control body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin d. Since many cases of skin cancer are caused by exposure to uv light or sun, avoiding sun exposure is key to prevention. Tanning beds and sun lamps are also common sources of uv radiation. Useful skin cancer prevention and early detection downloads skcin. Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. The skin has several layers, but the two main layers are the epidermis upper or outer layer and the dermis lower or inner layer. Highlights risk factors, prevention methods, and clues for early detection. If you want to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, experts say the first step is to decrease your exposure to ultraviolet uv light by avoiding direct sunlight and tanning beds. They are available online as web pages, adobe acrobat pdf documents. This booklet outlines the relationship between exposure to uv radiation and. This leaflet has been written to help you understand how to reduce the risk of developing a skin. What we do know is that exposure to ultraviolet uv light is the major environmental contributor to melanoma.
Cdc works with partners to reduce illness and death caused by skin cancer. Many people feel shocked and upset when told they have skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. If you have skin cancer, it is important to know which type you have because it affects your treatment options and your outlook prognosis. Prevent skin cancer by avoiding sun exposure and other tips. This 16page booklet discusses nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers, skin cancer warning signs, skin cancer risk factors, skin cancer treatments, sun safety tips, and skin selfexamination.
Skin cancer prevention tips, activities and early detection. Each booklet, or information fact sheet, addresses a different aspect of cancer. Skin cancer precautions even for indooronly pets like with people, pets can suffer from skin cancer and some are at. Skin cancer is chiefly lifestyle disease, and is also highly preventable. Skin cancer awareness month the skin cancer foundation. It should have a sun protection factor spf of at least 30 and should be broadspectrum, meaning it guards against uva. Your source for expert health tips, fast workouts, weight loss strategies, natural cures, nutrition advice, healthy recipes, and more. Top skin cancer prevention tips, activities and early detection according to numerous studies, by practicing sun protection, people can lower the risk of skin cancer. Thats why the american cancer society and the national council on skin cancer prevention have designated the friday before memorial day as dont fry day. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection.
The disease is being seen on a daily basis not only by dermatologists and plastic surgeons but. Follow these tips to protect your skin from the suns damaging ultraviolet rays and reduce your risk of skin cancer. Reduce your consumption of saturated fat and red meat, which may increase the risk of colon cancer and a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. The good news is that it is the most treatable form of cancer.
About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with. Skin cancer, of various types, is the most common cancer in the uk and rates are rising dramatically. However, something far easier than skin cancer treatment, is skin cancer prevention. A number of our booklets are now available as ebooks, making them easy to download and view on. The most important way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the harmful. Learn about skin cancer symptoms, treatments, and risk factors, as well as how to prevent it. It is currently estimated that one in every five people in the u. The information below and elsewhere on this website is not intended or implied to be a. In an ideal world, everyone would know and live by the following skin cancer prevention tips and facts, according to madeleine and other prevention advocates, including the american cancer society and the skin cancer foundation use sunscreen the right way. Prevent skin cancer american academy of dermatology. Evidencebased guideline on prevention of skin cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
Preventing skin cancer by protecting yourself completely requires a comprehensive approach. Below are five easytofollow ways to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure yearround and reduce your risk of skin cancer. In addition, it is estimated that more than three million people are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer annuallyeither basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. The importance of taking immunosuppressants far outweighs the potential risk of skin cancer, but transplant patients should see a skin specialist every year for a skin check.
Separate pdq summaries on skin cancer screening, skin cancer treatment, genetics of skin cancer, and levels of evidence for cancer screening and prevention studies are also available individuals whose skin freckles, tans poorly, or burns easily after sun exposure are particularly susceptible to developing skin cancer. Ultraviolet uv radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Cdc recommends easy options for protection from uv radiation. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is now the most common form of cancer for young adults 2529 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 1529 years old. Since most skin cancers are directly related to ultraviolet uv exposure, so the best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from uv rays. If you must be outside, try to avoid the midday sun, stay in the shade when possible and wear sunscreen, long sleeves and a wide hat for added protection. Before diving into the prevention side of melanoma, or skin cancer, here are some facts you should know. Avoid getting a sunburn see vitamin d advice below. Increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Information on skin cancer would not be complete without an appeal to you to consider the following thoughts on prevention of skin cancer i have attempted to point out how important it is to diagnose skin cancer early to prevent, particularly in the case of squamous cell carcinoma, the general spread of the cancer throughout the body. And if skin cancer isnt diagnosed early, it can be serious, disfiguring, even lifethreatening. This leaflet gives tips on how to prevent skin cancer. Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck. Government, business, health, education, community, nonprofit, and faithbased sectors are all essential partners in this effort.
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