Susan Lucy: "Basal Cell Carcinoma Affects Approximately One Million Americans Each Year"
168 comments Posted by Sun Safety Alliance at 7:33 AM
Susan Lucy, is a beach body coach. She loves to work out, eat healthy, and stay fit. Susan is a mom. She is a blogger, a tweeter...
Susan has skin cancer.
Read her story about being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
Sun - Friend or Foe???
by
Now, I don't have the really bad kind - melonoma. I have Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common form of skin cancer, affecting approximately one million Americans each year. In fact, it is the most common of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers are skin cancers, and the vast majority are basal cell carcinomas. These cancers arise in the basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (top skin layer).
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
I am very good about going to the Dermatologist. My grandfather did die of Melonoma at 50 and I have a lot of moles and freckles. So once a year, I subject myself to a full body scan by my Dermatologist. I have had a few mysterious looking moles taken off but all in all, I get a clean bill of health and the "wear suncreen and I will see you next spring" speech. This time though, I had two red patches on my right shoulder and back that I had noticed over the winter and thought they were most likely eczema. When my dermatologist told me that she didn't like the look of them and wanted to biopsy, I knew they were probably cancer or at least pre-cancerous. When I called the office for results and they told me that the doctor would call me back, I really knew. That is never a good sign.
Anyone with a history of sun exposure can develop basal cell carcinoma. However, people who are at highest risk have fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or grey eyes. Those most often affected are older people, but as the number of new cases has increased sharply each year in the last few decades, the average age of patients at onset has steadily decreased. The disease is rarely seen in children, but occasionally a teenager is affected. Dermatologists report that more and more people in their twenties and thirties are being treated for this skin cancer. Men with basal cell carcinoma have outnumbered women with the disease, but more women are getting basal cell carcinomas than in the past.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Basal cell carcinomas are easily treated in their early stages. Although this skin cancer seldom spreads, or metastasizes, to vital organs, it can damage surrounding tissue, sometimes causing considerable destruction and disfigurement — and some basal cell carcinomas are more aggressive than others.
I have two options for treatment:
EXCISIONAL SURGERY
After numbing the area with local anesthesia, the physician uses a scalpel to remove the entire growth along with a surrounding border of normal skin as a safety margin. The skin around the surgical site is then closed with a number of stitches, and the excised tissue is sent to the laboratory for microscopic examination to verify that all the malignant cells have been removed. The effectiveness of the technique produces cure rates around 90 percent.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
CURETTAGE AND ELECTRODESICCATION
Using local anesthesia, the physician scrapes off the cancerous growth with a curette (a sharp, ring-shaped instrument). The heat produced by an electrocautery needle destroys residual tumor and controls bleeding. This technique may be repeated twice or more to ensure that all cancer cells are eliminated. It can produce cure rates approaching those of surgical excision, but may not be as useful for aggressive basal cell carcinomas or those in high-risk or difficult sites.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Because my cancer is superficial, I am planning on the latter option because the recovery is quicker and I won't need stitches. I still will have two circular scars as opposed to a linear one but I can deal with that. This cancer developed in the last year. Had I not had yearly checkups, I may not have had this option.
People who have had one basal cell carcinoma are at risk for developing others over the years, either in the same area or elsewhere on the body. For the next year, I will have to go back every 3 months to make sure more cancer does not develop in other areas.
I didn't post this note for pity but rather to hopefully educate people about the importance of having yearly skin checks with a dermatologist.
I am also using this as a learning lesson for my kids who give me grief all the time about wearing sunscreen. The damage on me was done years ago. 85% of sun damage is done by the time you are 18 years old. I have taken pictures of my shoulder and back biopsy sites and have talked extensively to them about wearing sunscreen. They have never had a sunburn but as they get older, they are more resistant to my insistence that they apply it every time they go out in the sun. We have a house on Cape Cod so it is virtually impossible for us to stay out of the sun. Hopefully, they will learn from my experience.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Be well,
Susan
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
SELF Magazine, MSNBC, and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi work to educate the public about the severity of melanoma.
1 comments Posted by Sun Safety Alliance at 10:27 AMDr. Elizabeth Tanzi, (@SkinLaserMD), is an internationally-known author and lecturer on cosmetic dermatology and cutaneous laser surgery. She joined the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in 2001 and currently serves as the Co-director of Laser Surgery. Dr. Tanzi also holds a position as clinical Instructor in the Department of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital Center. Dr. Tanzi pursued her medical education at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where she graduated in the Alpha Omega Alpha. You can visit her website as well at skinlaser.com
Dr. Tanzi is also a skin cancer survivor.
She was recently featured in SELF magazine as well as on the Today show to educate audiences about the seriousness of skin cancer. During the interview, Dr. Tanzi draws attention to many excellent points, that we at the Sun Safety Alliance also hold strong to be advocates of.
"1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed yearly". Skin cancer is on the rise, and people must become smarter while in the sun. "People need to hear about the number of increased cases of skin cancer". Especially melanoma. It is "the most preventable and curable form of cancer", but also the most deadly. The Skin Cancer Foundation has stated that “one person every hour dies from melanoma”.
"30 SPF and up will block 97% of the sun's rays". Fight melanoma by applying and applying and reapplying. When most apply sunscreen, they only apply bare minimum. It's greasy and sticks to every thing. Sand and sunscreen are among the most obnoxious combination. Yet did you know you are supposed to apply an ounce of sunscreen every time you apply and reapply? "Reapply an ounce! That is so much!"
To encourage readers to protect themselves from melanoma, SELF-magazine has offered, in accordance with a recent Harvard study, to send a text message reminder about reapplying sunscreen. If you text SELFSKIN to 467467, you will receive four weekly alerts reminding readers to reapply.
“The only safe tan is a fake tan”. Dr. Tanzi explains that tanning beds are the equivalent of smoking and should not be used. Many young people today are in denial that skin cancer is real and they subject themselves to skin cancer by roasting in tanning beds. They do not understand the severity, look through some of the quotes pulled from twitter:
@Farraaa: “tanning.. yay skin cancer”
@taylordawnn: “tanning again. Skin cnacer? Probably”
@adeledgirltellem“so one of my best friends has skin cancer & i promised i'd stop tanning & such. but i cant do it! sorry bbygrl- LAYING OUT @ the beach <3
Though it is frustrating that a twitter search on "skin cancer" brings up a number of people that are ignorant to the realities of the disease, there are a few that advocate sun safety and skin cancer awareness. Those of us that have the knowledge and the evidence that skin cancer is on the rise must continue to educate those around us. Because many are unaware the severity of skin cancer and it's our job to inform them.
The Hangover: "In the movie I get a bad sunburn, so I did it for real"
1 comments Posted by Sun Safety Alliance at 1:46 AM
Warner Bros. The Hangover , or what Eleanor Marrow of ThisRecording.com calls, "The Docile American Bachelor Party", enjoyed a good three weeks at number one in the box office this past month. You can watch the B Roll for the film here.
In "The Hangover" Justin Bartha's character, Doug Billings, is left on a Las Vegas roof for an entire day. He sits up there and absolutely roasts to the point that he suffers from what appears to be erythema, or sunburn.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Justin explains, "In the movie, I get a real bad sunburn, so I do it for real". And Justin really burns himself up there on the roof of Cesar's Palace... (sorry for the spoiler).
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Had Doug Billings followed the Sun Safety Alliance blog and learned sun safety tips such as
- Reapplying sunscreen often, especially after perspiring.
- Wearing wide brimmed hats in warm temperatures
- Staying in the shade
- Premature and accelerated skin aging: age spots, wrinkles
- Aggravation of existing or underlying skin disorders: eczema, rosacea, psoriasis
- Dehydration
- Photosensitivity / photoreactions
- Second-degree burns
- Secondary infection
- Shock (such as from massive fluid loss)
- Death
Long-term complications may include:
- Pre-cancerous growths
- Skin cancer
Additional studies show UV rays' connection to:
- Cataracts, corneal burns, macular degeneration, and other ocular disorders
In the end, always apply sunscreen, even if it's your bachelor party and you're wasted beyond comprehension and have been drugged by Rohypnol...
remember to apply sunscreen and then reapply to prevent skin cancer.
Today R.J. Ignelzi, a Union-Tribune Staff Writer challenged readers of "signonsandiego" to test their knowledge on how to best block the sun's harmful rays. “All of us need to wear sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 – SPF 30 is even better – every day, no matter what your skin type or color,” says Dr. Darrell Gonzales, a dermatologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital
The following is a direct quote from signonsandiego.com
"You'd think with all the talk about sunscreens and skin cancer prevention that we'd have it made in the shade by now. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year and an estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime.
That's more than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. It's the most common type of cancer, but it's also the most preventable.
Here's the rub: Most people don't use sunscreen correctly or combine it with other forms of sun protection to effectively safeguard their skin"
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
We agree R.J. Excellent point! That' why we are here to provide people with all they need to know about the logistics of sunscreen.
How should sunscreens be applied?
- Follow directions and shake the bottle before using.
- Thoroughly rub sunscreen over skin to make sure the coverage is even.
- Make sure all skin is covered (including neck, ears and lips).
- For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.
- Sunscreen should be applied liberally and evenly to all exposed areas before sun or water exposure.
When should I apply sunscreen?
- Before doing any outside activities.
- Whenever you're spending time outdoors—and not just in the pool! (for picnics, walks, hiking, riding in a car, etc)
How often should sunscreen be applied?
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
- Reapply sunscreen often!
- Reapply Reapply Reapply
- "SPF" stands for "Sun Protection Factor."
- Indicates how much longer a person wearing sunscreen can stay in the sun before beginning to burn—than they would without using any sunscreen at all.
- SPF numbers generally range from 2 to 50.
- The American Academy of Dermatology and the Sun Safety Alliance (SSA) recommend an SPF of 15 or higher.
- For children, the SSA recommends sunscreen product with an SPF of 30.
What strength of sunscreen is best?
- Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you're outdoors.
- For children under 6 years of age, the SSA recommends sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Older children should use sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher.
What Kinds of Sunscreens Are Available?
The role of sunscreens is to absorb, reflect or scatter damaging UV rays before they have a chance to interact with the skin. There are, however, many types of sunscreen available on the market today with many types of ingredients (and inactive ingredients) for various purposes and lifestyles. Whatever you choose, you should make sure your sunscreen provides both UVA and UVB protection. |
| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Avobenzone
Also known as Parsol® 1789, this sunscreen provides effective UVA protection and is used in combination with other sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Benzophenone
A class of sunscreens which includes oxybenzone, used in US products. These provide the UVA and UVB protection for many sunscreen products, but there is a great deal of controversy about its anaphylactic reaction, especially to children.
Homosalate
Homosalate is a UVB sunscreen that is often used in products with lower SPF ratings or in combination with other sunscreens in higher-protection products.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Octisalate
A relative of homosalate, this UVB sunscreen is also used in lower-SPF products or combined with other sunscreens in products of higher SPF.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Oxybenzone
A common sunscreen used in combination with other sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Para-aminobenzoic acid
Para-aminobenzoic acid was used as a sunscreen for many years, but is no longer used for many products. PABA can stain clothing and sting skin.
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Padimate 0
This water-resistant sunscreen is sometimes used for UVB protection in US products. (Also called octyl dimethyl PABA.)
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| From Sun Safety Alliance Photos |
Broad-spectrum Protection
This refers to sunscreen products that contain ingredients to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
Noncomedogenic
A product that is noncomedogenic will not clog the skin's pores. Noncomedogenic sunscreen products are designed for those who experience frequent or occasional breakouts.
Sunblock
Sunblock is a term used by sunscreen manufacturers to represent products which provide an SPF 12 or higher.
Sunscreens
All sun-protection products labeled with an SPF of 2 or higher are considered sunscreens. Sunscreen agents absorb, reflect, or scatter UV light.
Sweatproof
"Sweatproof" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure.
Water-resistant, Waterproof
"Water-resistant" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. "Waterproof" or "very water-resistant" indicates that the degree of sunburn protection is maintained after 80 minutes of such exposure.
