The Sunny Truth Can Hurt The Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation

True or False? A suntan is an injury to the skin T/F In winter, skin does not need protection T/F Sunblock should be applied every 2 hrs T/F Tanning beds are healthy T/F Too much sun is the main cause of skin cancer T/F

The “Good” Sun Provides light Keeps us warm Helps plants grow Provides us with Vitamin D Makes us feel good

The “Bad” - Too Much of It... Can burn or tan (injure) our skin Causes premature wrinkles Causes dark patches (age spots) Suppresses the immune system Causes cataracts and eye damage Causes skin cancers

The Ugly Skin cancer rates are rapidly increasing 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer 1 million cases (non-melanoma) per year Skin cancers can be disfiguring and deadly

What Is Skin Cancer? An abnormal overgrowth (tumor) of certain skin cells. Benign (local, non life-threatening) Malignant (invasive or spreads) Can be deadly Prevention and early detection is key

Why Is Skin Cancer Important? It is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. One death every hour in U.S. (melanoma) Melanoma rates have tripled in past 30 years Significant sunburns in childhood often lead to cancers Younger people are being of adults do not use sunscreen

Causes of Skin Cancer Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation from the sun UVA - tan, burn, skin damage, aging UVB - may cause melanoma, skin cancers Tanning booths - UVA/UVB rays Genetics - family history Chemical agents - exposure to coal, arsenic 1 in 3 teenage girls (U.S.) uses a tanning booth Ozone Tanning

Risky Business Am I At Risk? Fair skin and red or blonde hair Light colored eyes Sunburns easily - or uses tanning beds Many moles, freckles or birthmarks Frequent outdoor work Childhood sun exposure; serious sunburn Family history

A Note About Moles Many shapes and sizes, colors and numbers You could have 1 or 100 Often don’t pose a problem or concern Sometimes are dangerous or cancerous Know your skin and look out for changes

How Sun Damages Our Skin Sunburn and tanning - short-term Prematurely aged skin - longer term Wrinkles Loss of elasticity Dark patches ("age spots" or "liver spots") Actinic keratoses Skin cancers

Types of Skin Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma Usually found on sun exposed areas (ears, face and mouth) Symptoms - bump that turns into an open sore (red or crusty, gets larger, sore that won't heal) If untreated can spread quickly (lymphatic blood and nerve routes)

Types (continued) Basal Cell Carcinoma - Most common Accounts for more than 75% of skin cancers Mostly found on the face, neck, and hands Highly treatable, rarely spreads Symptoms - sore that oozes or bleeds, a red or irritated area, a yellow or white area (scar-like), and a pink pearly bump

Types (continued) Melanoma -The most dangerous and deadly type Can develop on any part of the body (arms, legs and trunk most common) When found early, it is considered highly treatable.

Melanoma Symptoms A mole, freckle, or new/existing spot That changes color, size or shape It may have an irregular outline and possibly be more than one color

A View of Skin Cancers Squamous cell Basal cell Melanoma

Additional Melanomas Not inclusive…may show up differently

Early Detection (ABCD and E)  A - asymmetry - one half of the mole does not match the other half.  B - border - the edges of the more are irregular, ragged, blurred or notched.  C- color - the color over the mole is not the same. There may be differing shades of tan, brown or black and sometimes patches of red, blue or white.  D - diameter - the mole is larger than 6mm (approximately 1/4 inch or about the size of a pencil eraser).  E - elevation - is almost always present (a mole may also be flat).  E - enlargement - a history of increase in the size of a mole is one of the most important signs.

Signs and Symptoms Overview  Any change on the skin (size, color or dark pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth)  Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule  The spread of pigmentation beyond its border  Change in sensation (itchy, tender, or painful)

How Can I Protect Myself?

Prevention Do Not Burn -Avoid sun tans and sunbeds Apply Sunscreen “generously” - SPF 15 + Wear *Protective Clothing when possible Seek Shade (rays strongest between 10-4) Use extra caution near water, snow, sand (they reflect damaging rays) * long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses

I’m Protected! “My helmet keeps me safe when I ride my bike on the street”

I am Not! “What will keep me safe out here”?

Detection - Skin Self-Exam Inspect your skin monthly Follow the A-B-C-D-E’s Include hard-to-see areas (scalp, back, ears, buttocks, toes, etc) Perform exam in well-lit area In front of full-length mirror

Got Skin, Get Checked Spots on the skin that are new or changing should be evaluated by a physician. Get checked every 3 years between ages and every year over age 40 ACS guidelines

Treatment Biopsy first, excision (surgical removal) of the growth if needed More surgery if stage has progressed Radiation or chemotherapy may be used Photodynamic therapy (drug or laser, kills cancer cells)

How The Foundation is Helping The Foundation was established with the vision to be "the voice for melanoma prevention, detection, care and cure". It's Mission and focus is on melanoma education, awareness and supporting research to bring about a cure for this deadly disease.

For more information on the Foundation, visit our website at

Key Reminders Skin cancers are on the rise and are serious Excess sun is the main cause Protection is key (sunblock, shade, etc) Prevention begins in childhood If found early is very treatable Balance activity with protection

Love It…Know When to Leave it