Skin Cancer 9 th Grade

What Do You Know About Skin Cancer? 1) By the time the average person is 18, he or she has received approximately what percentage of their lifetime sun exposure? A)100% B)80% C)50% D)25% Answer: B) 80%

What Do You Know About Skin Cancer? 2) One American _________every hour. A)dies from melanoma B) completes a self-skin check C) is diagnosed with melanoma D)discovers an atypical mole Answer: A) dies from melanoma

What Do You Know About Skin Cancer? 3)Three or more blistering sunburns under the age of 20 increase an individual’s lifetime chance of developing melanoma by a factor of: A) 1.5 B)2 C) 3 D)4 E) 5 Answer: E) 5

What Do You Know About Skin Cancer? 4) Use of tanning beds 10 times or more per year under age 30 increases an individual’s lifetime chance of developing melanoma by a factor of: A) 2 B) 4 C) 6 D) 8 E) 10 Answer: D) 8

What Do You Know About Skin Cancer? 5) The primary characteristic of a melanoma that determines whether it is most likely to be curable or fatal is: A) Diameter B) Colour C) Thickness D) Shape Answer: C) Thickness

Skin Cancer Facts Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. and accounts for approximately 50% of all cancers. The incidence of skin cancer is greater than breast, lung, prostate, colon, and kidney cancers added together. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. About one million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the U.S. One American dies every hour from skin cancer.

Types of Skin Cancer Basal cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer (2.8 million every year in U.S.). This skin cancer occurs in heavily sun-exposed areas of the skin. This type of skin cancer usually appears on the face, neck, ears, lips, and nose. Basal cell carcinoma rarely results in death, but it can spread and cause more serious health problems.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Basal cell carcinomas typically occur as light pink or flesh-colored bumps with pearly or waxy appearances. They grow slowly and are almost never fatal but, if neglected, they can grow to the point where disfiguring surgery is necessary to remove them. Although common in all areas of the country, it is especially prevalent in southern states.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer (700,000 cases every year in U.S.). It is more aggressive than basal and can spread to other parts of the body and may result in death (approximately 2,500/year). Squamous cell carcinoma also tends to occur in the most heavily sun-exposed areas of the skin.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Squamous cell carcinomas often start as flat red or brown splotches which become rough, dry, and scaly. If not treated, they may eventually grow large enough to spread to nearby internal organs and be fatal. It occurs in all areas of the country, but is more prevalent in southern states.

Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas Approximately 1 million cases of basal and squamous cell carcinomas are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Good news: With early detection and treatment, basal and squamous cell carcinomas have a cure rate of more than 95%.

Melanoma Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of the three types of cancer. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of the skin cancer cases. It causes more than 75% of the skin cancer deaths. Melanoma causes about 8,790 deaths each year in the U.S. Source: CDC

Melanoma Melanoma cases are increasing faster than any other cancer. Melanoma is the most common cancer among year-olds and second for year- olds. Vulnerability to melanoma begins at age 12, much earlier than other skin cancers. If not removed early, while thin, melanoma often grows rapidly, spreads to distant internal organs, and is fatal. It is equally likely to occur in all areas of the country. Source: CDC

Ordinary Moles ORDINARY MOLES have all of these features: Round or oval shape Sharp, even borders with skin Uniform color (usually brown) Less than 1/4 inch wide Cauliflower or smooth surface Even dome shape if mole is raised

Atypical Melanoma Moles ATYPICAL MOLES often have one or more of these features: Irregular shape Uneven and/or fuzzy borders with skin Two or more shades of brown or pink 1/4 inch wide or more Cauliflower or smooth surface Flat edges with "fried egg" center if mole is raised

A mole or other growth that has any of the ABCD properties: A = Asymmetry Radial melanomas are often unsymmetrical; an imaginary line through the middle does not produce matching halves B = Border The borders of radial melanomas may be uneven, fuzzy, or have notched or scalloped edges.

C = Color Radial melanomas often begin to show color changes in areas, with shades of black, brown, tan, and sometimes other colors. D = Diameter Unlike normal or atypical moles, radial melanomas often grow larger than the width of a pencil eraser.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer Fair skin Light hair color Family history of skin cancer Blistering sunburn before the age of 20 Atypical moles Indoor tanning Large number of normal moles

Controllable Risk Factors Risk FactorRisk Percentage Intermittent exposure of normally covered skin to strong sunlight High One blistering sunburn under the age of 202 times as likely Three or more blistering sunburns under the age of 205 times as likely One tanning bed session under the age of 30Almost 2 times as likely Ten or more tanning bed sessions in one year under the age of 30 Almost 8 times as likely

Warning Signs of Melanoma Any change in a mole, blemish, freckle, birthmark, or pigmented area A new mole or freckle that appears or is growing rapidly, especially if you don't have many moles, or the new mole or freckle looks different from those you do have

Warning Signs of Melanoma A change in surface texture or in the way a mole feels to the touch A new "freckle" that is dark, dry, or scaly A pigmented area or splotch that is new or that you don't remember seeing before

Warning Signs of Melanoma A new spot that is black, even if very small A mole or other spot that looks or behaves differently than those around it, even if it seems otherwise normal A mole or other spot that itches and/or bleeds Redness, other color, or shadow extending into the surrounding skin

Does where we live matter? Figures, rounded to the nearest ten, are from American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2011.

UV Index Ultraviolet Rays (UV) – The ozone layer shields the earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion, weather and the seasons cause different amounts of UV radiation to reach the earth. UV IndexUV Index – Click here for an explanation of UV Index. UV Index for your town UV Index for your town – Use this link to see the current UV index in your town. **Note: Slide must be in display mode for websites to be active.**

Sun Smart 1)List 3 possible warning signs of melanoma. 2)List the melanoma risk factors. 3)List 5 ways to reduce your chances of skin cancer.