Skin Cancer

COLOR
DIAMETER
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
you've been in the sun, consider using a
FROM ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
sunless self-tanning product, but continue to
Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor
use sunscreen with it.
for all skin cancers, including melanoma, You
can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk
of skin cancer. Here's how to Be Sun Smart®":
■ Generously apply a broad-spectrum
Varied from one area
While melanomas
to another; shades of
tan and brown, black;
are usually greater
sometimes white, red
or biue.
than 6mm {the size
of a pencil eraser)
when diagnosed,
they can be smaller.
■ Check your birthday suit on your birthday.
If you notice anything changing, growing, or
bleeding on your skin, see a dermatoiogist.
Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun
Check the Academy's Web site (www.aad.org)
Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 to all
for the latest list of sun-protective products
exposed skin."Broad-spectrum" provides
that meet the stringent criteria of the AAD SEAL
protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and
Skin Cancer
OF RECOGNITION®.
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply
approximately every two hours, even on
AMERICAN
cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY
A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in
■ Wear protective clothing, such as a longsleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and
sunglasses, where possible.
depending upon the type of cancer, its size
■ Seek shade when appropriate, remembering
that the sun's rays are strongest between
and location, and the needs of the individual.
Dermatologic surgical treatments include:
simple surgical excision; Mohs micrographic
surgery (a special procedure that removes
the tumor while sparing as much normal skin
as possible); electrodessication and curettage
(ED&C-aiternately scraping and burning the
treating the medical, surgical and cosmetic
conditions of the skin, hair and nails. To learn
more about skin cancer, log onto www.aad.org or
call toll-free (888) 462-DERM (3376) to find a
fAAD!
IV.tH
dermatologist in your area.
Physicians Dedicated to
Excellence In Dermatology
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter
than you are, seek shade.
■ Protect children from sun exposure by
playing in the shade, using protective
All content solely developed by the American
Academy of Dermatology.
Whether your
clothing, and applying sunscreen.
■ Use extra caution near water, snow and
sand as they reflect the damaging rays of
the sun which can increase your chance
tumor); cryosurgery (freezing using liquid
of sunburn.
skin needs
fAAD!
medical.
'
".V A *
surgical or
Physicians Dedicated to
Excellence in Oarmatotogv^
cosmetic
nitrogen); and laser surgery.
■ Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet
Other dermatologic treatments include radiation
that may include vitamin supplements. Don't
therapy and photodynamic therapy (a chemical
seek the sun.
applied to the skin is exposed to a light
\
■ Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from
source). Topical chemotherapy products may
the sun and tanning beds can cause skin
also be used.
cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like
© 2009 American Academy of Dermatology
Images used with permission of the American Academy of
Oermatoiogy National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides
treatment,
trust the
American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014, Schaumburg, Illinois 60168-4014
AAD Public Information Center: (888) 462-DERI/ (3376)
AAD Member Resource Center:(866) 503-SKIN (7546)
Web: www.aad.org
expert care
@5
board-certified
dermatologist.
therapy (a chemical
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC)
applied to the skin
see is the second most common skin cancer;
PERIODIC SELF-EXAMINATION
is exposed to a light
it is primarily found in fair-skinned people and
source), or other
Early detection and treatment is key to surviving m I Hano
partner in performing skin self-exams. Get familiar \vith y
rarely in dark-skinned individuals. Typically
freckles, and "beauty marks." Make sure to look at
located on the rim of the ear, face, near the
dermatologist promptly if any changes are noticed.
dermatologic
surgical procedures.
Skin Cancer
mouth or on the trunk, this cancer may appear
Some AKs may
as a firm bump, or as a red, scaly patch. SCC
progress to
can develop into
advanced stages
our €
Actinic Keratosis
large masses and
that require more
become Invasive,
extensive treatment. Proper use of sunscreens
leading to
can help prevent AKs even after extensive sun
extensive local
damage has already occurred.
tissue destruction
Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all types of
cancers. More than one million cases of skin cancer
are diagnosed in the United States every year.
and possible risk
Fair-skinned individuals who sunburn easily are
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC)
at a particularly high risk for developing skin
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer; it
cancer. Other important risk factors include use
of tanning devices, family history, repeated
medical and industrial x-ray exposure,
immunosuppression, scarring from diseases or
burns, and occupatio.nal exposure to compounds
such as coal tar and arsenic.
occurs most frequently on the head and neck,
AKs (or solar keratoses) are considered the
earliest stage In the development of certain skin
Bend elbows,
Look at back
look carefully at
forearms, back
of upper arms,
and palms.
of legs and fi
mirror, then right
and ieft sides,
of metastasis.
arms raised.
Therefore, it is
Squamous Ceil
important to get
Carcinoma
with the rest mainly on the trunk and lower limbs,
early treatment.
and often appears as a fleshy bump, nodule,
When detected and treated early, the cure rate
changes early. Since melanoma ceils can
or red patch. BCCs are frequently found in fair-
for both BCC and SCC approaches 95 percent.
continue to produce melanin, this skin cancer
skinned people and rarely occur in dark-skinned
individuals. BCCs usually do not grow quickly,
ACTINIC KERATOSES(AK)
Examine body
front and back in
appearance of the moles on the body to detect
often appears in mixed shades of tan, brown,
MALIGNANT MELANOMA
and black; although, It can also be red or white.
Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of all
Any changing mole must be examined by a
skin cancers. Every year, more than 8,000
dermatologist. Early melanoma can be removed
Americans will die from melanoma; It is projected
while still in the curable stage; melanoma readily
but this does not mean treatment should be
delayed. While BCCs rarely metastasize (spread)
to other organs, if untreated, the cancer often
will begin to
cancers. They are small, scaly spots most
that more than 100,000 Americans will develop
metastasizes, making early detection and
melanoma annually.
treatment essential to increase survival rates.
over, and can
Melanoma begins in metanocytes, the cells
Excessive sun exposure, especially sunburn,
had significant sun exposure. AKs can be treated
extend below
throughout the skin that produce the pigment
is the most important preventable risk factor for
by cryosurgery (freezing using liquid nitrogen),
the skin to the
called melanin which makes the skin tan;
melanoma. Fair-skinned individuals are at
topical chemotherapy (applying a cream or lotion),
bone and
clusters of melanocytes are what make up
particular risk, but heredity also plays a part. A
chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser surgery,
nerves causing
moles. Melanoma may appear suddenly or
person has an increased chance of developing
considerable local
begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in
melanoma If a relative or close family member
damage.
the skin. It is important to know the location and
has had melanoma. Atypical moles, which may
repeatedly
commonly found on the face, ears, neck,
forearms, the scalp of bald men, and backs of
v.'i,
"•
the hands in fair-skinned individuals who have
electrodessication and curettage (ED&C-alternately
bleed and crust
Basai Cell Carcinoma
scraping and burning the tumor), photodynamic
spaces betw
toes, and sol