Skin cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa with about 20 000 reported cases every year and 700 deaths. South Africa also has the second highest incidence of skin cancer worldwide after Australia.

High risk

Everyone is at risk of getting skin cancer, although people with darker skins are less susceptible because their skin contains more natural melanin that protects against sun damage. People at high risk are those:

    • With fair skin (especially those with red hair, moles or skin spots)
    • With a family history of skin cancer
    • Who play sport outdoors
    • Who work in the sun
    • Who spend a lot of time driving.

Lesser known facts

  1. Skin cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all cancers combined.
  2. Cancer-causing UV rays reflect off cement, water, sand, glass and grass and can therefore cause sunburn in the shade. UV rays are not the same as heat. You can get overexposed even in cool weather, so take care on windy or overcast days.
  3. UV radiation can penetrate fabric. Look out for UV protective swimsuits, beachwear, sunglasses and umbrellas bearing the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR).
  4. Remember, there’s no such thing as a “complete” sun blocker – re-apply at least every two hours, after towel drying, perspiring or swimming. Apply to all exposed skin; including the back of the neck, tips of ears, arms, feet and hands.
  5. The best protection for the eyes is sunglasses with a UV protection rating of UV400.
  6. Use lip balm with a minimum of SPF 20 and apply regularly.
  7. Sunlamps and tanning parlours can also cause skin cancer.
  8. Babies younger than one year should never be exposed to direct sunlight. Take special care to protect children.
  9. Sun damage to the skin builds up through the years. This means that overexposure to the sun during younger years may result in skin cancer later in life. Just one bad burn in childhood increases the risk of melanoma later.
  10. One person dies from melanoma almost every hour. Check your skin regularly for changes, unusual marks or moles. Ask a friend to check your back and the back of your legs for spots or changes you may not notice yourself.

Warning signs

Irregular small, brown, black, or multi-coloured patches or moles, which may crust and bleed, or any patch or mole larger than 6 mm in diameter is suspect. Malignant melanoma may occur in pre-existing moles or skin spots and can also appear like freckles on previously normal skin.

Sources

 

www.cansa.org.za
www.everydayhealth.com