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Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of
skin cancer and the extent to which it has
spread. Basal and squamous skin cancers can
be treated by:
Mohs surgery. This is a special type of
surgery for skin cancer that shaves one
layer of cancerous tissue at a time. The
tissue is immediately checked under a
microscope to see if it contains cancer
cells. The layers are removed until no
cancer cells are found in the shaved cells.
Curettage and electrodessication. In
curettage, the cancer cells are scooped
out using a special instrument called
a curette. A special instrument applies
an electric current to the area to stop
bleeding and kill any cancer cells in the
margin; this process is called electrodessication.
Cryosurgery. This freezes the cells with
liquid nitrogen, killing abnormal cells.
Laser therapy. This uses a narrow beam
of intense light to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy. This uses drugs to kill
cancerous cells. The drugs can be given
orally, injected, infused intravenously (in
a vein), or put right on the skin.
Radiation. This uses high-energy rays
(such as x-rays) or particles (such as photons,
electrons, or protons) to kill cancer
cells.
Melanomas can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation, and biologic therapy,
which are treatments that help the body’s
immune system fight the cancer.
Prevention
Your exposure to UV depends on the
strength of the sunlight, which is determined
by where you live; the length of
exposure; and whether you protect your
skin with sunscreen and clothing. The areas
of the body that receive the most sun exposure
over a lifetime are the face, back of the
neck, bald head, upper chest, forearms,
backs of the hands, and lower legs. You
can tell how much sunlight has changed
your skin by comparing the sunexposed
surfaces, such as the top of
your forearm, with the inside of your
forearm, which is usually protected
from the sun.
Sun exposure adds up, so protecting
yourself from too much exposure is
important. People can take simple steps to
plan ahead and protect themselves from the
sun’s UV rays. These options are important
to remember year round and during all
outdoor activities, and not just when at the
beach or pool.
Clothing
Covering up with clothing is the best
protection. Up to 80 percent of nonmelanoma
skin cancers occur on the head
and neck, so a wide-brimmed hat should
be worn to shade the face, ears, scalp, and
neck from the sun’s UV rays. A hat with a
four-inch brim provides the most protection.
If a baseball cap is worn, sunscreen
with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at
least 30 should also be used to protect the
ears and neck.
The best protection
for the body
is a long-sleeved
shirt and long pants.
Dark colors provide
better protection
than light colors.
Wet fabric gives
less protection than
dry. Some clothing
has SPF protection
added; a typical
shirt, however,
has an SPF rating
substantially lower
than the recommended
SPF 15, so
it is wise to double
up on protection by using sunscreen with
at least SPF 30 and staying in the shade
when possible.
Seek shade
Because the sun’s UV rays are strongest
and do the most damage during midday,
outdoor activities should be avoided at this
time. If this is not possible, then finding the
shade of a tree, beach umbrella, or tent is a
practical way to protect
the skin.
Sunscreen
There are two types of sunscreens:
Physical sunscreens, such as zinc or titanium
oxide, contain particles that scatter
and reflect sunlight from the skin.
Chemical sunscreens, which absorb
radiation.
Sunscreens generally do a good job filtering
out the UVB rays, which cause sunburn.
But most sunscreens don’t defend nearly as
well against the UVA rays. That’s true even
for some products labeled ‘’broad-spectrum
UVA/UVB protection.”
SPF refers only to protection from
UVB rays. SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent
of UVB rays, and SPF 50,
often more expensive,
blocks about 98 percent. A
higher SPF rating does not
mean you can spend more
time in the sun.
Experts say the best
protection against UVA is a
sunscreen that includes zinc
oxide, titanium dioxide,
oxybenzone, or avobenzone.
Most people do not apply
enough of the sunscreen
to get the full SPF rating.
An adult should use enough
sunscreen to fill a shot glass
and use it to cover arms,
legs, neck and face. If you are using insect
repellant or other lotions, apply the sunscreen
first.
For adults and children, sunscreens
should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before
exposure and every two hours afterward, as
well as after swimming or sweating.
Babies younger than six months should
be kept out of direct sunlight and protected
from the sun using hats and protective
clothing. Sunscreens should not be used on
infants younger than six months, unless adequate
clothing and shade are not available.
Use a lip balm with sunscreen to
protect lips.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses protect the tender
skin around the eyes and reduce the
risk for developing cataracts. Look
for sunglasses that block both UVA
and UVB rays. Wrap-around lenses are
ideal because they keep UV rays from
hitting the sides of the eyes.
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