Skin cancer is a common disease. There are three main types:
basal cell carcinoma, commonly known as rodent ulcer;
squamous cell carcinoma; and;
malignant tumor.
Fortunately, the most common type is the least dangerous, while the most dangerous type, malignant tumor, is the least common.
Skin cancer is quite rare in children, but it becomes more common as people age. Since the main cause of all types of skin cancer is sunlight, the rate of skin cancer increases with age. Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays (UV), and it is these rays that are particularly damaging to the skin of babies and young people. The rate of skin cancer varies from country to country. In tropical countries with a large white population, the numbers are proportional to the amount of sunlight. In Australia, South Africa and all states in South America, the rate of skin cancer in the white population is quite high. People with black skin (for example, people of African or Caribbean origin) are better protected than whites due to the color of their skin.
Symptoms
A basal cell carcinoma (a rodent ulcer) is the most common and least dangerous of all cancers. It mostly affects areas exposed to the sun, especially the skin around the nose and eyes.
It is a slowly growing, high-pointed swelling with a depression in the center. Small blood vessels can be seen just below the surface of the swelling. Although it rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can spread if neglected. It can then dig under the tissues and damage many tissues (hence the name rodent ulcer).
Squamous cell carcinoma is also a skin cancer related to exposure to sunlight. It usually starts as a small, hard, painless swelling on the lip, ear, or back of the hand. It grows quite quickly and often collapses to form a depression in the center. This is called ulceration. It can spread to the lymph nodes and from there to various parts of the body. If you see something like this on your lip, you should be suspicious of cancer.
Causes
Skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to sunlight.
Diagnosis
Both rodent ulcers and squamous cell carcinomas are usually diagnosed by examining the tumor (swelling) under a microscope after it has been completely removed.
Treatment
Rodent ulcers can be treated by direct surgical removal, radiation, or freezing. The recommended method may vary depending on whether the person examining you is a surgeon or a dermatologist. All methods are equally effective.
Squamous cell carcinomas should be surgically removed from the skin as early as possible. Unlike rodent ulcers, this tumor can spread to other parts of the body and cause death.
Prevention of the Disease
The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to protect yourself from excessive sunlight:
Don’t wait until your skin is irritated to take protective measures. The best form of protection is defense. Once your skin is burned, the damage has already been done, so cover yourself with loose, non-stick clothing.
Keep your legs and arms covered. Tightly woven fabrics provide the best protection against the sun.
Avoid direct sunlight between 11:00 and 15:00 when the sun’s rays are most effective. When you go out between these hours, protect yourself with clothing, a hat and sunglasses, and use plenty of sunscreen lotion.
Always use sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 15. Very fair-skinned people and children may need to use lotions with a SPF of 40.
Skin is most damaged by the sun before the age of 18.
Make sure your entire body is covered with sunscreen lotion. This includes your face, hands, feet and neck. The most vulnerable parts of your body are usually the areas that are not exposed to sunlight.
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply sunscreen every two hours as it will wear off due to sweat and rubbing against a towel. Even if your lotion is water-resistant, reapply immediately after getting out of the sea.
Use water-resistant sunscreen when swimming. UVA and UVB rays can penetrate water up to a metre or more deep.
Fog and clouds do not protect your skin from ultraviolet rays. Even on cloudy days, protect yourself with clothing and use SPF 15 sunscreen.
Always wear sunglasses and hats with UVA and UVB filters in sunny weather. Ultraviolet rays damage the retina of your eye and cause cataracts.
