Health & safety bulletin
Sun Induced Skin Cancer
1st July 2010
At this time of the year, we all enjoy the sun, but need to be acutely aware of the effect it can have on our skin. Over exposure to the sun is the biggest cause of skin cancer, one of the most common cancers in the UK; there are two main types, malignant melanoma of the skin and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and they are extremely common.
Malignant Melanoma is the most serious type. It usually develops in the cells in the outer layers of skin but can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal. Melanoma may start with a change in a pre existing mole or freckle or previously normal skin.
Non Melanoma is the most common and easily treated type of cancer, more than 90% of cancers are this type. This type has 2 forms which are Basal and Squamous.
In 2007, over 84,500 non melanoma skin cancer cases were registered in the UK but because many go unreported, the exact number is probably much higher. The number of cases has doubled in the last 20 years.
Basal Cell is the most common and tends to affect older people. It usually starts with a small round or flattened lump that can be red, pale or pearly in colour, sometimes it appears as a scaly eczema like patch on the skin, they usually but not always appear on the areas of skin most exposed such as head, neck, shoulders and limbs.
Squamous Cell is the more serious as it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. It appears as a persistent red scaly spots or lumps, sores or ulcers which may bleed easily. They usually affect older people with a lifetime of heavy sun exposure and those who constantly work outside exposed to the elements, they occur most often on the head, neck, hands and forearms.
Just because we live in the UK it doesn't mean we can't get it, in fact there are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia even though Australia has more reported cases of the disease. Just because in this country we don't have sunny weather 365 days a year doesn't mean we are immune, in fact because sunny days are quite rare, people tend to sunbathe for long periods which causes extreme damage and can induce melanomas.
There are 2 types of U.V Rays- UVA and UVB:
- UVB radiation has a shorter wavelength and penetrates the upper layer of the epidermis and can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
- UVA radiation has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the dermis affecting elastin and ageing the skin. Until recently UVA was thought not to have a roll in skin cancer development, but increasing evidence shows that UVA and UVB both cause damage to the DNA which can lead to skin cancer.
ALWAYS REPORT ANY MOLE CHANGES OR UNUSUAL SKIN CHANGES TO YOUR DOCTOR.
- SKIN CANCER RATES ARE INCREASING.
- MALIGNANT MELANOMA IS THE THIRD MOST COMMON CANCER IN 15-39 YEAR OLDS.
- THE GREATER EXPOSURE TO UV RADIATION THE HIGHER THE RISK.
- MOST SKIN CANCERS ARE PREVENTABLE BY PROTECTING THE SKIN FROM THE SUN DAMAGING RAYS.
- SKIN CANCER OCCURS MAINLY IN PEOPLE WITH FAIR HAIR, LIGHT EYES, FRECKLY SKIN, RED OR FAIR HAIR, BUT ANYONE WHO IS EXPOSED TO THE SUNS RAYS FOR LONG PERIODS INCREASES THE RISK OF GETTING IT ...THAT COULD BE YOU!!!!!.
That old saying that prevention is better than the cure could never be more truthful, so how do we prevent it?
- Stay in the shade between 11am-3pm if possible.
- Make sure you never burn, don't wait on your mate telling you that your “getting a bit red”.
- Always cover up with a T shirt, long sleeved if possible, hat, hard hat to protect your head, gloves to protect the hands and wraparound sunglasses / tinted safety glasses.
- Always use Factor 15+ sunscreen on all exposed skin. Re-apply every 2 hours or more frequently if rubbed, washed or sweated off.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
The SPF (sun protection factor) of a sunscreen is its ability to filter out dangerous UVB Rays. The higher the factor the more protection you get from burning, and higher factor sunscreens tend to be more expensive. The reason experts recommend factor 15 is that it represents the best balance between protection and price. You will get 90% protection from UVB Rays with factor 15 - REMEMBER NO SUNSCREEN NO MATTER HOW HIGH THE FACTOR CAN OFFER 100% PROTECTION.
Many cases of sunburn happen when people are not deliberately “sunbathing” you may be outdoors working, sitting in the park or fitting some signs, we often forget how strong the sun can be. The sun does not need to feel hot to damage your skin, you can burn on even the cloudiest of days. The heat comes from Infrared Rays, not UV Rays so you can burn on cool, cloudy days. If you burn it is very likely that the skin will peel, this is the body's way of getting rid of damaged skin cells that could develop Skin Cancer.
If you get burned apply lots of moisturising cream and cover the damaged skin, drink plenty of water to reduce dehydration and keep the area completely covered until the redness has gone.
REMEMBER YOU DON'T NEED A TAN TO BE HEALTHY OR LOOK GOOD.
IF YOU SEE ANYONE STARTING TO BURN TELL THEM TO COVER UP THE EXPOSED SKIN AND ASK THEM TO APPLY SUNSCREEN IF POSSIBLE, YOU MAY JUST SAVE THEIR LIFE SO BE SUNSMART AND BE SAFE.