Risk of skin cancer with record rises in temperature

Merve Zıvalı highlighted the effects of climate change on skin cancer and said, “We are facing warmer and sunny climates. Rising temperatures increase people’s exposure to the sun and increase the risk of skin cancer. Referring to a study conducted at the University of Leeds, clinician Julia Newton-Bishop warns that if air temperatures continue like this, sunburn will increase and the incidence of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, will increase in the following years. He said that the record rise in temperatures in particular shows the seriousness of the situation and that very risky days in terms of health are ahead.

Relationship between skin cancer and the sun

Drawing attention to what should be known about the relationship between sun and skin cancer, lecturer Altınbaş University Vocational School of Health Services. To see. Merve Zıvalı reminded that the rays coming from the sun are divided into 3 as UVA, UVB and UVC. Accordingly, Ultraviolet-A (UVA), which makes up most of sunlight, penetrates the deep layers of the skin, causing premature aging, wrinkles and some skin cancers. High-energy Ultraviolet-B (UVB) penetrates the top layers of the skin and causes side effects such as tanning, sunburn and skin cancer. Ultraviolet-C (UVC), the most harmful, is almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere. But it is used in artificial resources or industrial applications. Therefore, sun lamps, tanning beds, sunbathing and some medical and industrial devices increase the risk of skin cancer.

The most common types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma

Highlighting the common forms of skin cancer, Zivalı said: “In cancer cases, abnormal growth of cells in the epidermis or dermis layer and uncontrolled proliferation of cells are observed. Saying that the sun’s rays damage the DNA helix is ​​generally seen in areas exposed to the sun for a long time. In addition to sun rays, genetic factors, excessive tanning, tanning, phenotypic reasons and immune system dominance are also at risk. He also made important statements about the most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

According to this;

“The most common type of skin cancer, basal carcinoma, is more common on the face, neck, hands and arms in sun-exposed areas, rarely spreads and grows slowly.

Foam cell carcinoma can grow and spread quickly. It can develop in sun-exposed areas or other skin lesions.

Melanoma, which is rare compared to other types of skin cancer, can grow quickly and spread to other organs and metastasize. It is one of the riskier forms of skin cancer due to metastasis. It can occur in any part of the body, sometimes it can show symptoms with the change in the existing mole in the body.

One third of cancers are skin cancers

Zivalı underlined that one-third of all cancers are skin cancers, according to data from the American Skin Cancer Foundation. He noted that 2 to 3 million new cases of skin cancer are discovered each year and stated that the incidence of skin cancer varies according to geographic region and other factors.

“There is a high risk in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Southeast Anatolia regions”

Noting that skin cancer is seen at a rate of 1.9 per 100,000 men and 1.3 per 100,000 women in Turkey, Zıvalı said, and exposure to intense sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer. It should be remembered that skin cancer can occur in any region. In the presence of a skin abnormality or suspicious lesion, consulting a dermatologist and taking the necessary precautions will minimize the risk factor. Early diagnosis also increases the success rate in skin cancer treatment.

What to do to protect against ultraviolet rays?

Zivalı eventually gave advice on sun protection methods. He recommended using sunscreen products that are effective against UVA rays. He emphasized the importance of choosing sunscreens labeled “UVA/YVB protection” or “Broad Spectrum” and using protective products with a factor of at least SPF 30 or higher.

He asked sensitive people to avoid direct skin contact with protective clothing and to protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses. He suggested avoiding prolonged outdoor activities, especially midday when the sun is at its strongest, and staying in shady areas if possible.

“Avoid the tanning bed, stop smoking”

Other issues that Zıvalı wants attention are as follows; “Use a protective film in the vehicle to protect it from UVA rays. Avoid tanning beds, as artificial tanning beds reduce the risk of skin cancer. Check your skin regularly for early detection of symptoms. Consult a dermatologist in case of suspicious spots or changes. A history of overexposure to the sun, a light complexion, a genetic history of skin cancer, and a dominant immune system increase the risk of skin cancer. You should also increase your precautions. Smoking can increase the risk of skin cancer. Quitting smoking and staying away from cigarette smoke is very important for the health of your skin.