While there will be a lot of fun in the sun during the next few months, the American Cancer Society warns that people should be conscious of protecting their skin this summer.
Experts have called skin cancer the undeclared epidemic, killing more patients than all other cancers combined. The society estimates that this year, there will be 2,000 deaths from nonmelanoma skin cancer and 7,800 deaths from melanoma skin cancer.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common type, which consists of squamous and basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 20 percent of all skin cancers and usually appears on sun-exposed areas, such as the face. Basal cell carcinoma accounts for about 75 percent of all skin cancers and is now being seen more in young people.
“People in their 20s and 30s are being affected more because of a lot of sun exposure in their youth,” said Dr. William Heckert, a Lansing dermatologist.
Men and those who have fair skin are most at risk. Studies by the society show men are twice as likely as women to have basal cell cancers and three times as likely to have squamous cell cancers.
The studies also show risk of melanoma skin cancer is more than 20 times higher for whites than for dark-skinned blacks, who have more melanin, which protects them from some ultraviolet rays. Light-skinned blacks and whites need to be more cautious of protecting their skin.
Melanoma is much less common than nonmelanoma skin cancer, yet it accounts for 79 percent of skin cancer deaths. Although curable in its early stages, it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
According to the society, about 1.3 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are found in the United States each year. Heckert said skin cancer in Michigan is common, yet the percentage is still lower than that of states that have year-round intense sunlight.
“I treat patients for skin cancer every day,” Heckert said. “That’s nothing compared to the residents of states like California, Florida or Arizona.”
Too much sun exposure is the greatest cause of skin cancer because sun gives off ultraviolet rays that damage the skin.
“Your skin remembers all of your sun intake,” Heckert said. “People who experience many sunburns accumulate UV rays, which eventually result in cancer.
“It takes decades (of bad sun exposure) to develop skin cancer.”
But the sun isn’t the only culprit of the disease.
According to the society, tanning booths also give off ultraviolet rays and are becoming more dangerous because people tend to think tanning booths are safer than the sun.
“There is not enough information on tanning salons and skin cancer,” said communication junior Touyen Nguyen, who frequently uses tanning salons during the winter. “My friends told me that going to tanning salons was better (for me).”
One of the ways people can protect themselves from skin cancer is by using sunscreen liberally and applying it often. They should also stay in the shade and wear sunglasses that protect from UV rays.
“Skin cancer is a preventable disease,” journalism senior Shanise Drake said. “We need to do what we need to do to protect ourselves.”
For more information, visit the American Cancer Society’s Web site at www.cancer.org.
