1. SKIN CANCER

2. SKIN CANCER Objectives
Students will be able to:
Describe 2 differences between UVA and UVB rays
List the three types of skin cancer and identify which is potentially the most serious
Identify at least 4 risk factors for skin cancer
Recognize from a photo whether a mole is abnormal
Identify the A,B,C,D,Es and ,E,F,G’s for evaluating moles
Describe how to perform a skin check
List 3 ways to protect yourself from the sun
List at least 2 things to look for in a sunscreen product
Describe how and when to apply sunscreen

3. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
UVA RADIATION
UVB RADIATIOIN
95 % of the UV rays that reach earth are UVA
Relatively equal intensity of UVA rays during all daylight hours throughout the year
can penetrate clouds and glass
Penetrates skin more deeply
Leads to wrinkling
Considered a carcinogen
Tanning beds have 10-13x higher amount of UVA than sun
Most blocked by ozone
Highest intensity during mid-day and during April-September in northeast
Somewhat blocked by clouds but can also be reflected by clouds, sand/concrete (25%), water (100%), snow(85%); does NOT pass through glass
Leads to sunburn
Considered a carcinogen

4. TYPES OF SKIN CANCER Appearance Age of Onset: >40 Seriousness
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
SQUAMOUS CELL CANCER
Appearance
Raised, translucent
Age of Onset: >40
Seriousness
Seldom fatal
Location
Sun exposed skin
More in Sun Belt?
yes
Appearance
Flat, red, rough, dry, scaly
Age of Onset: >40
Seriousness
Sometimes fatal
Location
Sun exposed skin
More in Sun Belt?
yes

5. MALIGNANT MELANOMA APPEARANCE
Change in size, color, shape, surface or thickness of a mole, freckle, birthmark, blemish or other pigmented lesion
AGE OF ONSET: any age over 10
SERIOUSNESS: can be FATAL if not found in time
LOCATION: anywhere on the skin
MORE IN SUN BELT? No
GOOD NEWS:
EASIEST OF CANCERS TO SELF DETECT
GUARANTEED CURABLE IF FOUND EARLY!
REMOVAL PAINLESS, QUICK, IN DOCTOR’S OFFICE
NO CHEMO OR RADIATION IF FOUND EARLY

6. AVERAGE LIFETIME RISKS of Melanoma per 2014 Melanoma Education Foundation statistics
WHITE Population statistics:
1 IN 44
On back/trunk - men; legs - women
HISPANIC Population statistics:
1 IN 250
NATIVE AMERICAN Population Statistics
1 in 350
ASIAN Population statistics:
1 in 800
BLACK Population statistics:
1 IN 1,100
On feet, hands, under nails

7. A, B, C, D, E’S OF MOLES A=Asymmetry B=Border C=Color D=Diameter
Both halves should look equal
B=Border
Should be sharp, clearly defined; not jagged
C=Color
Color should be uniform, not different shades
D=Diameter
Diameter should be <1/4” (size of an eraser)
E=Evolving, expanding, enlarging
A mole that is changing or getting bigger

8. NODULAR MELANOMA 20% of melanomas are nodular
Instead of A,B,C,D, the symptoms are ALL of the following:
E = elevated
F = firm
G= growing
Can become serious and spread more quickly than radial melanomas

9. MELANOMA SYMPTOMS
It is important to realize that a mole may have some of the characteristics described on the previous slide and NOT be a melanoma. A biopsy is often the only way to distinguish an atypical mole from a melanoma.

OTHER WARNING SIGNS OF MELANOMA INCLUDE:
Change in the appearance of a mole, such as the spreading of the pigment from the border of the mole into the surrounding skin
A mole that looks scaly, oozes, or bleeds
Itching, tenderness, or pain in a mole or lesion
Brown or black streak that appears underneath a nail or around the nail
Bruise on the foot that does not heal

10. Let’s Review!
Turn to a partner and write down the answer to the following:
Describe 2 differences between UVA and UVB rays
List the three types of skin cancer and identify which is potentially the most serious
Identify the A,B,C,D,Es and E,F,G’s for evaluating moles

11. RISK FACTORS: Inherited and Behavioral
INHERITED (uncontrollable):
>50 “normal” moles
ANY atypical moles
Fair skin, light complexion, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes, freckles
Family or personal hx of skin cancer

12. RISK FACTORS (CONT) Any blistering sunburns under age 20
BEHAVIORAL
Any blistering sunburns under age 20
Sporadic exposure of normally covered skin
Regular use of tanning beds
Frequent sunning

13. SUN PROTECTION
Protective clothing – light colors do not block rays as well as darker colors
Find shaded areas – beach umbrellas only provide ~50% protection

14. WHEN TO APPLY SUNSCREEN
Every day, 30 minutes before sun exposure
REAPPLY after swimming, exercising, or every 2 hours
NO SUCH THING AS AN ALL-DAY SUNSCREEN!
Wear hats and protective clothing in addition to reapplying sunscreen often

15. HOW TO APPLY SUNSCREEN SHAKE WELL if a lotion
Try SPRAY-ON OR STICK types of sunscreen if lotion unappealing to you
Use 1 ounce (~2 TBSP or one handful) for complete coverage in a bathing suit
Don’t forget to apply to EARS, BACK, SHOULDERS, BACK OF KNEES, TOP OF FEET, LEGS & SCALP
Careful application around eyes

16. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SUNSCREEN
Broad-spectrum: UVA and UVB protection
>SPF 15 (SPF=Sun Protection Factor)
(SPF 15=93% UVB rays blocked; SPF 30=97% UVB rays blocked; SPF 50=98% UVB rays blocked)
Check expiration date
Use WATER-BASED if you have OILY SKIN
Try different brands to see which works best for your skin
For face, use formulas specially designed for your face
Look for stabilized avobenzone, ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl™), oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide on the label to protect against UVA rays

17. TANNING
Tanning beds contain 10-13x greater UVA rays
exposure than the sun
The World Health Organization has determined that UV rays from tanning beds cause cancer.
Regular tanning (10x or
more/year) under age 30
increases risk for
melanoma 8 times!!

18. TANNING BEDS (cont) Melanoma isn't the only problem:
people who use tanning beds are
2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma
1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.
Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is the same as spending 1-3 hours a day at the beach with no sun protection at all.
According to recent research, first exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk by 75 percent!

19. UV Skin damage video

20. Let’s Review Again:
Turn to a partner and write down the answer to the following:
Identify at least 4 risk factors for skin cancer 
Describe how to perform a skin check
List 3 ways to protect yourself from the sun 
List at least 2 things to look for in a sunscreen product 
Describe how and when to apply sunscreen

21. Sources for Powerpoint
Massachusetts Melanoma Education Foundation,
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, diation.html
a.html
-uvb.html.
ture.pdf