SUNSCREEN AND SKIN CANCER PREVENTION: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Sun exposure is the top cause of skin cancer, but it’s also avoidable. Make sun protection part of your daily routine with broad spectrum UVA-UVB very high protection sunscreen.
Skin cancer falls into 3 main categories: actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Consistent lifelong sunscreen use reduces your risk of all 3. If you have a lot of moles, you are at particular risk of skin cancer, since 35% of melanomas arise from existing moles.
UV RAYS: THE MAIN CAUSE OF SKIN CANCER
SUNSCREEN CAN PREVENT SKIN CANCER
Today, the risk of developing skin cancer is 1/1001. Longer holidays, the quest for ever sunnier destinations, outdoor activities and now banned artificial tanning all help explain this increase in the number of skin cancers. This is because sun exposure is the most important cause of skin cancer. Startling statistic: As few as 5 blistering sunburns before the age of 20 can increase the risk of melanoma by 80%. Luckily, with the right protective measures, sunburn is avoidable. For this reason, it is important to use broad spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen such as Anthelios XL Wet Skin Sunscreen on a daily basis to help prevent skin cancer.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SKIN CANCER?
Skin cancers fall into 3 main categories:
- Actinic keratosis or solar keratosis: These very common lesions are not skin cancers. They are scaly patches that are rough to the touch and tend to recur on the surface of the skin. They appear following prolonged and repeated sun exposure. They indicate that the skin has lost its natural ability to protect itself against the sun and its UV rays. Some of them can lead to the development of skin cancer. Actinic keratosis can be prevented with use of sunscreen.
- Basal cell carcinoma: They represent 90% of skin cancers and are mainly caused by frequent and repeated sun exposure during adulthood. Early detection means basal cell carcinomas can be treated since they are slow growing. Since basal cell carcinomas are generally located on the face, late detection can lead to unsightly scarring. Therefore, it is essential that you consult a dermatologist if you have any new lumps, bumps or ulcers on your skin. To prevent this form of skin cancer, use broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen daily, especially on exposed areas such as the face.
- Melanoma: A malignant form of skin cancer. This is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer because it can put the patient's life at risk. It appears as a result of short intense bursts of sun exposure such as those that cause sunburn. It takes the form of brown or black spots on healthy skin. And in 35% of cases, it concerns a pre-existing mole. If diagnosed during its first stage of development, it can be completely cured with medical treatment. If you discover a suspicious lesion, it is therefore vital that you consult a dermatologist.
WHAT DETERMINES MY RISK OF SKIN CANCER?
USE HIGH PROTECTION SUNSCREEN IF YOU FALL INTO ANY OF THESE CATEGORIES
Several factors affect your risk of developing skin cancer. If the below factors apply to you, you should be especially zealous about using sunscreen to prevent skin cancer:
- You have fair skin (phototype I or II on the Fitzpatrick scale*), which tans very little and often burns.
- You have freckles or moles that differ in appearance (size, shape, colour).
- You had severe sunburns as a child or were frequently exposed to strong sunlight during childhood and adolescence.
- There is a history of skin cancer in your family.
- Previous diagnosis: If you have had skin cancer in the past, you are at risk of developing it again.
- Lifestyle: UV Exposure, Smoking.
- Tanning: You have spent time outside tanning.
- Tanning beds: Tanning beds have been banned in all Australian states since 2016, but even if you’ve only used solariums a handful of times, or even once in the past, you have increased risk of skin cancer.
- Work outdoors: People who work outdoors get 10 times higher sun exposure than indoor workers. (Cancer Council Australia).
- Climate: If you live in a sunny or high-altitude climate you are exposed to more UV radiation and have an increased risk of skin cancer.
- Prescription Medication: Certain medications can increase sun sensitivity and increase the risk of UV damage to the skin.
- A weakened immune system: People who have a weakened immune system have a greater risk of skin cancer. This includes anyone taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
If any of the above sound like you, don’t panic! You should be extra vigilant about wearing sunscreen and protecting yourself from the sun.
PROTECT MOLES WITH SUNSCREEN TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER
Between childhood and adolescence, sun exposure influences the number of moles that can appear on the skin as well as their size. However, the more moles a person has, the greater their risk of developing a skin cancer, since 35% of skin cancers develop from a pre-existing mole2 . It is therefore essential to effectively protect children and adolescents from the sun to minimise the appearance of new moles. In addition, overexposure of existing moles to the sun influences the development of lesions that may turn out to be cancerous.
The take-home message? Sunscreen use helps prevents skin cancer: It should be applied generously every 2 hours during sun exposure or more frequently if swimming or perspiring.
IS MY MOLE CANCEROUS?
Dermatologists have created the ABCDE method of mole checking to screen for moles that are potentially cancerous. If any of the following apply to your mole(s), you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible for a professional skin check./p>
A: Asymmetry. Is your mole asymmetrical?
B: Border. Does your mole have an irregular border?
C: Colour. Does your mole contain different colours?
D: Diameter. Is your mole greater than 6 mm in diameter?
E: Evolution. Is your mole changing?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible for a professional mole check. If detected early enough, 90% of skin cancers are curable, which is why screening is so important.
SKIN CANCER: EARLY DETECTION IS PARAMOUNT
If detected early, 90% of skin cancers are curable. That is why screening is so important. If you notice a new mole, or a mole that is changing in appearance, or if you have never had a full body mole check, we strongly recommend seeing a dermatologist. Remember, the earlier skin cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of successful treatment. And of course, make sun protection a daily non-negotiable to protect your moles and prevent skin cancer.
SUNSCREEN IN CHILDHOOD PREVENTS MELANOMA IN LATER LIFE
Dermatologists agree that the critical window for skin cancer prevention is age 0-20. 86% of melanomas are attributed to overexposure to UVA and UVB rays and 80% of skin damage caused by the sun occurs before the age of 18. That’s why sun-safe behaviour in childhood and adolescence is essential for safeguarding future health, even decades down the line. For this reason, it is important to educate children on smart behaviours from the youngest age, to make them autonomous in protecting their skin. The basics:
- Seek shade when the sun is at its strongest.
- Wear protective clothing such as a hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, etc.
- Generously apply very high protection UVA-UVB sunscreen every 2 hours, or after swimming, towelling off or sweating.
For in-depth information check out our guide on Sun Protection Tips for Kids.
KNOW THE FACTS
Fact: The sun causes skin cancer. We know for sure that sun - or UV radiation - causes skin cancer and sun protection protects against melanoma. In the case of melanoma, 86% of cases are put down to overexposure to the sun’s rays. The Journal of Clinical Oncology published a 2011 clinical study on over 1,600 people demonstrating that the regular use of sunscreen reduced the incidence of melanoma by 50-73%.
Fact: Protecting your skin daily and checking your moles regularly will help minimise your risk of skin cancer, ultimately helping to save your skin. Read our next article: The Importance of Sunscreen.
1American Association for Cancer Research Press Release, May 29, 2014 http://www.aacr.org/Newsroom/Pages/News-Release-Detail.aspx?ItemID=553#.WKyFqxLhAvo
2The Syndicat National des Dermatologues-Vénérologues (National Union of Dermatologists-Venereologists).
3Parkin DM, Mesher D, Sasieni P. Cancers attributable to solar (ultraviolet) radiation exposure in the UK in 2010. Br J Cancer 2011; 105:S66-S69.
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