Skin Cancer Prevention Program

Presented By: Cheryl Barber SpiresOSU Extension, Fulton County,Maumee Valley EERA

Prepared by: Dee Jepsen, Sereana Howard Dresbach, Jaime B. Chalk The Ohio State University

Skin Cancer: the most common cancer in United States

Occurrence rate of skin cancer is highMortality rate is lower than internal organ

cancersSkin cancer accounts for only 1% of all

cancer deaths

What is Skin

Largest organ of the human bodyWeighs about 6 pounds Protects us against heat, light, injury, and

infectionRegulates body temperature

What is Cancer

Occurs when healthy cells loose their ability to limit & direct their growth

Too much tissue is producedThese cells develop the ability to invade

and tumors form

What is Skin Cancer

Most common type of cancer in the U.S.Types of skin cancer:

– Basal Cell Carcinoma– Squamous Cell Carcinoma– Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Description:– Waxy skin eruption or small scaly patch

– Smooth growth with raised border

– Could be a smooth bump that crusts over or bleeds

– May start as a pimple or sore that doesn’t heal

95% cure rateMen 2X as likely to get as womenType that Presidents Clinton and Bush had

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Scaly patch, small raised bump, or tumorCan spread locally to lymph nodes95% cure rateHead, neck, hands, lips (tobacco,

cigarettes, and UV rays)Men 3X as likely to get than women

Melanoma

50% fatality rateMen 2X as likely to get as womenMust treat early!Description:

– Mole that has changed– Multi-colored dark area on skin (reddish,

bluish, brown, or black)

Skin Self-Exam:ABCD’s of Melanoma

Asymmetry

Border

Color

Diameter

Sensation

What Causes Skin Cancer

Ultraviolet (UV) Rays - 90%UVA

– Penetrates deep into the skin– Tangles the DNA– Skin does not appear smooth – Causes premature aging: wrinkles,

leathery skin– Affects eyes: cataracts and corneal burns

What Causes Skin Cancer

UVB– Causes redness– Sunburns

UVC– Gets absorbed back into the ozone layer

Disclaimer: sunlight is good for your health. Your body needs small doses (30 minutes) a day for Vitamin D

Skin cancer is a result of U.V. exposure

Chronic– Wears down the skin cells & damages DNA– Diminishes the cell’s protective factors over

timeAcute

– Can do the same damage as chronic– Visible symptom is a sunburn

Skin cancer appears in adulthood

UV Exposure

SunArtificial sun

– Growing Lights– Tanning Beds

• Mostly UVA

• Important to protect the eyes

• Important to use skin creams

• Only changes skin color, so you can still burn

“Safe Tan”

There is no such thing as a Safe TanAny tan equals damage to the skinOverexposure to UV rays linked to:

– Glaucoma– Diminishes immunization factors– Contributes to exhaustion– Lowers response rate

Skin Damage Prevention

Skin damage is largely preventablePeople receive 50-80% of their lifetime

sun exposure by age 18– Incidentally, this is the same time period skin

is the most vulnerable and should be best protected.

2 Types of Human Risk Factors

Uncontrollable– Skin type– Hair Color– Age– Family History

Controllable– Can you name any of these?

Controllable Factors

Time of DayShadeCloudy DaysSunscreen

Protective Clothing

Drug Interactions

Check-ups

Final Thoughts…..

Skin is the largest organNo skin transplantsPrevention is the best strategy for sun and

skin safety

Protection from skin cancer is a personal responsibility

BE A SUN SAFETY ADVOCATE!

Control for amount of time exposed Time of day exposed Use of protective barriers

– Long sleeve shirts– Wide brim hat– Sunscreen– Sun canopy or tractor cab

Usually a gap between knowledge/behavior of protective factors and their benefits to reducing skin cancer

Acute symptoms can be recognized & treated, while chronic exposure is the invisible risk

The earlier we start practicing sun safety, the longer we will keep our skin healthy.