3 Helpful tips to avoid skin cancer

Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis, the outermost skin layer, caused by unrepaired DNA damage that triggers mutations. These mutations lead the cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumour. The good news is that if it is caught early, your dermatologist can treat it with little or no scarring and high odds of eliminating it entirely

Signs of skin cancer

• Develops on areas get more sun exposure, such as the head, face, neck, shoulders, lower arms and legs, but can occur anywhere on the body
• A pearl-coloured lump or slightly scaly area that is shiny and pale or bright pink; some appear darker
• Skin may break down (ulcerate), bleed and become inflamed; may appear to heal then become inflamed again
• Appears on parts of the body most often exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, hands, forearms and lower legs, but can start anywhere

Treatments for skin cancer

Treatment plan will depend on different factors, like the size, location, type, and stage of your skin cancer. After considering these factors, your healthcare team may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Cryotherapy: The growth is frozen using liquid nitrogen and the tissue is destroyed as it thaws.
• Excisional surger The growth and some of the healthy skin surrounding it are cut out.
• Mohs surgery :  The growth is removed layer by layer, and each layer is examined under a microscope until no abnormal cells are visible.
• Curettage and electrodessication: A long spoon-shaped blade is used to scrape away the cancer cells, and the remaining cancer cells are burned using an electric needle.
• Chemotherapy : Drugs are taken orally, applied topically, or injected with a needle or IV line to kill the cancer cells.
• Photodynamic therapy : A laser light and drugs are used to destroy the cancer cells.
• Radiation : High-powered energy beams are used to kill the cancer cells.
• Biotherapy: Biological treatments are used to stimulate your immune system to fight the cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy : A cream is applied to your skin to stimulate your immune system to kill the cancer cells.

How do we protect skin from cancer ?

one that’s labeled “broad-spectrum,” because this means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the ones that prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays cause sunburn. Overexposure to both can lead to cancer.

Always applying moisturiser with SPF on your routine then sunscreen to give it double protection.