2. Skin Cancer Prevention Program Presented By: Cheryl Barber Spires OSU Extension, Fulton County, Maumee Valley EERA Prepared by: Dee Jepsen, Sereana Howard Dresbach, Jaime B. Chalk The Ohio State University

3. Skin Cancer: the most common cancer in United States  Occurrence rate of skin cancer is high  Mortality rate is lower than internal organ cancers  Skin cancer accounts for only 1% of all cancer deaths

4. What is Skin  Largest organ of the human body  Weighs about 6 pounds  Protects us against heat, light, injury, and infection  Regulates body temperature

5. What is Cancer  Occurs when healthy cells loose their ability to limit & direct their growth  Too much tissue is produced  These cells develop the ability to invade and tumors form

6. What is Skin Cancer  Most common type of cancer in the U.S.  Types of skin cancer: –Basal Cell Carcinoma –Squamous Cell Carcinoma –Melanoma

7. Basal Cell Carcinoma  Description: –Waxy skin eruption or small scaly patch –Smooth growth with raised border –Could be a smooth bump that crusts over or bleeds –May start as a pimple or sore that doesn’t heal  95% cure rate  Men 2X as likely to get as women  Type that Presidents Clinton and Bush had

8. Squamous Cell Carcinoma  Scaly patch, small raised bump, or tumor  Can spread locally to lymph nodes  95% cure rate  Head, neck, hands, lips (tobacco, cigarettes, and UV rays)  Men 3X as likely to get than women

9. Melanoma  50% fatality rate  Men 2X as likely to get as women  Must treat early!  Description: –Mole that has changed –Multi-colored dark area on skin (reddish, bluish, brown, or black)

10. Skin Self-Exam: ABCD’s of Melanoma  Asymmetry  Border  Color  Diameter  Sensation

11. What Causes Skin Cancer  Ultraviolet (UV) Rays - 90%  UVA –Penetrates deep into the skin –Tangles the DNA –Skin does not appear smooth –Causes premature aging: wrinkles, leathery skin –Affects eyes: cataracts and corneal burns

12. What Causes Skin Cancer  UVB –Causes redness –Sunburns  UVC –Gets absorbed back into the ozone layer  Disclaimer: sunlight is good for your health. Your body needs small doses (30 minutes) a day for Vitamin D

13. Skin cancer is a result of U.V. exposure  Chronic –Wears down the skin cells & damages DNA –Diminishes the cell’s protective factors over time  Acute –Can do the same damage as chronic –Visible symptom is a sunburn  Skin cancer appears in adulthood

14. UV Exposure  Sun  Artificial sun –Growing Lights –Tanning Beds Mostly UVA Important to protect the eyes Important to use skin creams Only changes skin color, so you can still burn

15. “Safe Tan”  There is no such thing as a Safe Tan  Any tan equals damage to the skin  Overexposure to UV rays linked to: –Glaucoma –Diminishes immunization factors –Contributes to exhaustion –Lowers response rate

16. Skin Damage Prevention  Skin damage is largely preventable  People receive 50-80% of their lifetime sun exposure by age 18 –Incidentally, this is the same time period skin is the most vulnerable and should be best protected.

17. 2 Types of Human Risk Factors  Uncontrollable –Skin type –Hair Color –Age –Family History  Controllable –Can you name any of these?

18. Controllable Factors  Time of Day  Shade  Cloudy Days  Sunscreen  Protective Clothing  Drug Interactions  Check-ups

19. Final Thoughts…..  Skin is the largest organ  No skin transplants  Prevention is the best strategy for sun and skin safety

20. Protection from skin cancer is a personal responsibility BE A SUN SAFETY ADVOCATE!  Control for amount of time exposed  Time of day exposed  Use of protective barriers –Long sleeve shirts –Wide brim hat –Sunscreen –Sun canopy or tractor cab  Usually a gap between knowledge/behavior of protective factors and their benefits to reducing skin cancer  Acute symptoms can be recognized & treated, while chronic exposure is the invisible risk

21. The earlier we start practicing sun safety, the longer we will keep our skin healthy.