Sun Safety and Skin Cancer:

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Sun Safety and Skin Cancer

• How You Can Make a Difference

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Skin Cancer Work Group2006 - 2007
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Overview

• Skin Cancer in Maine
• Melanoma in Maine
• Types of Skin Cancer
• What Does Melanoma Look Like?
• Who is at Risk? Risk Factors
• Prevention
• Points to Remember
• What You Can Do

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Skin Cancer In Maine

• Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in Maine.
• Basal Cell Squamous cell skin cancer.
• Melanoma is the deadliest form but is much less
  common than other types of skin cancer.
• In 2006, almost 400 Mainers will be diagnosed
  with melanoma.
• The rate of melanoma in Maine has tripled since
  the 1990s.
• The average age of patients with melanoma is
  early 40s.
• Almost 50 people die every year from melanoma in
  Maine.

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Skin Cancer in Maine (cont)

• Relative 5-year survival rate for patients with
  basal or squamous cell is more than 95-99.
• Relative 5-year survival rate for patients
  diagnosed with melanoma is 91, early stage 98,
  regional stage 60, distant stage 16, 83
  diagnosed in local stage.

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ABCDEs of Melanoma

• Asymmetry one half of a mole is different from
  the other.
• Border edges of mole are irregular-ragged,
  blurred or notched.
• Color pigmentation of mole is varied and may be
  brown and black with red, white or blue, creating
  a mottled appearance.
• Diameter width is usually greater than six
  millimeters-about the size of a pencil eraser.
  Also look for an increase in the size of a mole.
• Evolving any change in size, shape, color,
  elevation or another trait or any new symptom
  such as bleeding, itching or crusting points to
  danger.

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Who Is at Risk?

• Although anyone can develop skin cancer, some
  people are at particular risk. Risk factors
  include
• Light skin color, hair color, or eye color.
• Family history of skin cancer.
• Personal history of skin cancer.
• Chronic exposure to the sun.
• History of sunburns early in life.
• Certain types of moles, or a large number of
  moles.
• Freckles, which indicate sun sensitivity and sun
  damage.

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Prevention of Skin Cancer

• Avoid unprotected exposure to the sun, especially
  between 10 -4, when the rays are the strongest.
• Block out the sun by using sunscreen of SPF 15 or
  higher, and reapply every two hours.

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Prevention of Skin Cancer (cont)

• Cover your body with long-sleeved shirts and long
  pants.
• Wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses with
  UV-protection lenses.

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Points to Remember

• Its better to prevent skin cancer and melanoma
  than to treat it
• Minimize sun exposure shade, cover, sunscreen
• Perform regular self-exams to catch any
  suspicious moles or other lesions as early as
  possible
• If you find something that looks suspicious see
  your physician as soon as possible

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How You Can Make a Difference!

• Model sun safe behaviors and attitudes
• Lead by example
• Educate others about sun safety
• Develop and implement sun safety
  procedures/guidelines
• Join the Maine Cancer Consortium Skin Cancer Work
  Group

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Skin Cancer Resources
www.mainecancerconsortium.orgwww.cancer.orgwww
.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/www.skincancer.o
rg www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/skin/
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Questions??