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Text Box: Did you know? · Skin cancer is the most common cancer with more than a million people diagnosed each year. · In the course of a lifetime, one in five Americans will get skin cancer. · Every 60 minutes one person dies from this cancer. · Sun exposure is the number one culprit accounting for 90 percent of all skin cancers. · In childhood, one blistering sunburn doubles a person’s chance of having skin cancer later in life. What Causes Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is mainly caused by the overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Both UVA and UVB radiation will immediately penetrate the layers of unprotected skin damaging the skin cells. UVA radiation affects the living skin cells that are under the skin’s surface. Long-term damage like wrinkles, blotching, sagging, and discoloration are caused by UVA rays. UVA also promotes skin cancer. UVB radiation penetrates the top skin layer and causes tanning and sunburn mainly. Other sources include solariums and UV lamps; additionally, very few cases are caused by inherited genes. Types of Skin Caner… Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma are the three major types of skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type appearing on the face and ears normally. It is slow growing and does not usually spread to distant sites on the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. This cancer appears on sun exposed body parts and is more

Text Box: aggressive and more likely to spread to areas below the skin. Melanoma is the least common form, however, it is the most dangerous and most lethal. Melanoma is the most likely to spread to other body parts. Are you at Risk? Individuals who freckle easily or who have fair skin that burns easily are at high risk for getting melanoma. Moles are another risk factor. Other risk factors include light/blue/green eyes, and either red or blonde hair. Finally, deliberate suntanning either naturally or with solariums and sunbeds increases your chance of getting skin cancer. Perform Self-Exams… First, familiarize yourself with your skin, including your pattern of moles and freckles. A normal mole is an evenly colored brown, tan, or black spot that is either flat or raised. Moles are round or oval and have defined borders. During the exam, you should look for changes in the number, size, shape, or color of pigmented areas. The ABCD rule is important to remember in order to pick out signs of skin cancer: Asymmetry: one half of the mole or freckle does not match the other half Border Irregularity: the edges are blurred, notched, or ragged Color: the pigmentation is not the same; for instance, there may be shades of tan, brown, and black Diameter larger than six millimeter: any continuing or sudden increases in size Other warning signs of skin cancer: redness or new swelling beyond the mole border

Text Box: itchiness, tenderness, or pain at the site oozing, bleeding, scaliness, or the appearance of a bump or nodule spread of the pigment into the surrounding skin from the border It is best to perform an exam monthly. A full-length mirror should be used so any changes in moles, freckles, or blemishes can be checked from head to toe. If you notice any changes or have any warning sings, notify your physician. Sun Safety Avoid the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm because that is when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Try to find shade whenever possible, with trees, buildings, or umbrellas. Water, sand, snow, and concrete should also be avoided because they can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun’s damaging rays. You should also cover up with a broad brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses if you’re going to be out in the sun. Dark colored and densely woven fabrics are recommended for UV radiation protection. Finally, anyone over 6 months should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher because it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, especially if swimming or sweating is involved. Since sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months, it is extremely important to keep them protected from the sun. For more information talk with your pharmacist, physician or visit:

Just Another Day in the Sun?

Contributed by: Erin Phillips, Pharm.D. Candidate

KU School of Pharmacy