Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society says more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.
The three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
Malignant melanoma causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths.
Ultraviolet or UV Rays
Many types of rays come from the sun including heat rays, visible light and invisible UV light. Invisible UV light causes damage to the skin and eyes. There are three types of UV rays that come from the sun - UVA, UVB and UVC. However, the only ones that reach the earth are UVA and UVB. UVB rays have shorter wave-lengths and burn outer layers of the skin. UVA rays have longer wave-lengths, penetrate deeper into the skin and weaken the skin's inner tissue.
Consequences of Sun Exposure and Sunburns
One blistering sunburn doubles the chance of developing malignant melanoma in your lifetime.
UV rays cause premature aging of the skin, wrinkling and age spots.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are directly related to the amount of sun exposure one receives.
UV rays cause the development of cataracts, damage to the retina and snow blindness to unprotected eyes.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Anyone can get skin cancer, but, according to experts, the risk is greater for people who:
Have fair skin; blond, red or light brown hair; blue, green or gray eyes
Freckles
Burn before tanning or burn easily and do not tan easily
Spend a lot of time outdoors
Have been previously treated for skin cancer
Have a family history of skin cancer
Tanning Booths
UVA rays and UVB rays cause skin damage whether they are produced naturally from the sun or in some artificial form. The UVA rays that are emitted from the artificial ultraviolet light sources in tanning salons are actually two to three times more powerful than the UVA rays that are naturally emitted from the sun.
Warning Signs of Skin Cancer
A skin abnormality that increases in size and appears multicolored, pink, red, black, brown, pearly, translucent or tan.
A mole that changes color, textures, grows, becomes irregular in shape or is bigger than a pencil eraser.
A spot or growth that continually itches, hurts, becomes crusty, scabs or bleeds.
An open sore that does not heal after four weeks or one that heals and reopens.
Sunscreen Facts
If you will be out in the sun for 10 minutes or more, you will benefit from sunscreen use.
Sunscreens are rated with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). This rating system shows how long a person can stay in the sun before burning. For example, if you burn in 10 minutes and applies a sunscreen with a SPF 15, it will take about 150 minutes before a sunburn will occur.
Sunscreen should be applied an hour before going out into the sun so it can be absorbed by the skin.
Sunscreen should be applied liberally. If it is applied to lightly, the sunscreen may offer only a fraction of the protection.
Sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming, perspiring or towel drying.
Preventive Measures
People should plan their outdoor activities to avoid the sun's strongest rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Wear protective covering such as broad-brimmed hats, long-pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce exposure whenever possible.
Wear sunglasses that provide 98 percent to 100 percent UV ray protection.
Wear a sunscreen with a SPF15 or more and reapply it according to manufacturer's directions.
Preventive medicine is just one element of the spectrum of care that osteopathic physicians provide. As complete physicians, DOs are able to prescribe medication, perform surgery and can be found practicing in all areas of medicine. DOs can also use their hands to help diagnose and treat injury and illness and to encourage the body’s natural tendency toward good health through the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).