Skin Cancer

Introduction All life on Earth depends on the energy from the Sun. It is this energy that allows plants to produce glucose, but it is also this energy, in the form of ultraviolet (UV) photons, that can damage the DNA in your cells and cause skin cancer. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? It is estimated that there are more than one million new cases of skin cancer in the United States each year. The incidence of skin cancer has been on the rise for the last few decades, even in young adults. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays increases the risk for developing skin cancer. In fact, a woman or man who uses a tanning bed more than once a month is 55% more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented and is highly treatable when caught early.

Objectives (Today I will…) Determine the precautions you can take to protect yourself from skin cancer Investigate your risk factors for skin cancer Learn how to do a self-examination for suspicious moles

Real World Application Melanoma video

2 Main Types of Skin Cancer Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Melanoma These account for more than 99% of all skin cancers.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Non-melanoma skin cancer Small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck, or hands Accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States Usually treated successfully—95% (American Academy of Dermatology)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Non-melanoma carcinoma May appear as nodules, or as red, rough/scaly/crusted patches of skin Usually treated successfully—95% (American Academy of Dermatology) Second most common skin cancer found in Caucasians

Basal/Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Who is at Risk ? Light hair light eyes fair complexions Do not tan easily

*75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer Melanoma AKA: cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma Cancer cells form from the melanocytes ~9% of all skin cancers, but has the highest death rate *75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer

Who is at Risk? Blond or red hair Blue eyes Fair complexion Family history of melanoma Many ordinary moles (more than 50) Many freckles Immunosuppressive disorder Sun exposure Inability to tan

Other Factors Heredity Occupational exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium. Elevation - ultraviolet light is stronger as elevation increases Latitude - the rays of the sun are strongest near the equator. Cloud cover - places with regular cloud cover may actually reduce UV

Controllable Risk Factors Excessive Tanning Not using Sunscreen (or other UV blocking methods)

How do you know? Is it a mole or melanoma? Use the ABCDE rule A = asymmetry B = borders C = color variation D = diameter E = evolving (changing)

Things to look for A=Asymmetry (the left side of the lesion is unlike the right side)

Things to look for B=Border Irregularity (the lesion has a scalloped or poorly defined border)

Things to look for C=Color Variation (not all parts of the lesion are the same color;  within the lesion may be patches of tan, brown, black, pink, white or blue)

Things to look for D=Diameter (while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller.  If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6mm, you should see a dermatologist)

Common Items That are 6mm in Diameter

Things to look for E=Evolving (Has the mole or skin lesion changed color, size or shape? Does it looks different than the others?)

Dan’s Story Dan’s Story – “If only he had known” Read Dan’s Story and reflect on it by answering the following questions: 1.What warning signs were there that Dan had skin cancer? 2. How do you think Dan’s death could have been prevented?

Conclusion Questions 3. When doing a self-examination for suspicious mole or spots on your skin, what should you look for? 4. Mr. Smith is a professional landscaper and spends a majority of his day working outside in the sun. What advice would you give him so that he can lower his risk for developing skin cancer?

Homework Complete the personal risk assessment linked below this power point on the website. Write your answers in your lab journal Create your data table that classifies your risk factors in your lab journal too

References Different Types Of Skin Cancer. In: Squidoo [discussion list on the Internet]. 2010; [cited 2010 July 13]. Available from: http://www.squidoo.com/differenttypesofskincancer Skin Cancer. [discussion list on the Internet]. [University of Maryland Medicine]; 2003 May 16; [cited 2010 July 12]. Available from: http://www.umm.edu/skincancer/index.htm The ABCDEs of moles and melanomas. In: Cancernetwork.com [discussion list on the Internet]. [UBM Medica]; 2010 Mar. 9; [cited 2010 July 13]. Available from: http://www.cancernetwork.com/cancer-management-12/coloratlas1/article/10165/1535070