Sunlight and Skin Cancer: Let's talk about how to protect yourself

Isn't sunbathing a wonderful experience? The warmth you feel, the freshness you get... Most of the time, we go out in the sun to get a beautiful, radiant complexion. But no matter how much we love the sun, the sun is not very good for our skin. This sun is responsible for most of the wrinkles on your face and the spots that come with age. Imagine this: there are two 40-year-old women. One of them always protects her skin from the sun. The other didn't think much about it. The skin of the one who protects her skin from the sun can look like that of a 30-year-old. That's how much sun exposure ages our skin.

We often think of fair, glowing skin as a sign of health. But tanning, whether from the sun or using a tanning booth, actually speeds up the aging process and increases the risk of skin cancer. Over time, UV light damages the elastin fibers in our skin. When these fibers break down, the skin starts to sag and stretch. It also takes longer for skin wounds to heal. So, even if the damage from the sun is not visible when you are young, you will definitely see its effects as you age.

What does sunlight really do to your skin?

Excessive sun exposure can cause various types of damage to the skin. Simply put, it can cause:

What are the main causes of skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. Simply put, skin cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. This growth of cells results in tumors. Some of these can be benign (non-cancerous) and some can be malignant (cancerous).

There are three main types of skin cancer:

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

3. Melanoma

Of these, the first two types (basal cell and squamous cell) are the most common. These are also known as non-melanoma cancers. They are not as serious and can be completely cured if detected early.

The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The same goes for UV rays from tanning beds. UV rays still reach the earth even on rainy or cloudy days, so it is dangerous to go out without protection, thinking that the sun is not strong.

Who is at higher risk of developing skin cancer?

Although anyone can develop skin cancer, some people are at higher risk.

• For those with very fair skin who sunburn easily.
• For those with a lot of freckles on their skin.
• For those with light-colored eyes .
• For those with blonde or red hair .
• If you or someone in your family has had skin cancer before.
• For those who often work outdoors (such as farmers, construction workers).
• For those who live in areas that get plenty of sunlight .
• Having severe sunburns as a child increases the risk of melanoma cancer.
• If you have more than 30 large, irregularly shaped birthmarks on your body.

What are the symptoms of skin cancer? How do you recognize it?

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the skin. This can be a new mole, spot, or lump, or a change in an existing mole.

• Basal Cell Carcinoma: It may start as a small, smooth, pearly, shiny lump on the face, ears, or neck.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: May appear as a red, hard lump or as a rough, scaly, bleeding spot.
• Melanoma: Usually appears as a brown/black spot or lump, but can also be red or white. Although it looks like a normal birthmark, it is irregular in shape.

There is a very important rule called the ABCDE rule for detecting melanoma. Keep this in mind when examining your skin for moles.

What do you do if you see a change like this?

Don't panic at all. But don't delay either. Show it to your family doctor or a dermatologist immediately. He or she will examine it and give you the necessary advice.

How is skin cancer diagnosed and treated?

If a doctor sees a suspicious area on your skin, they will usually take a small piece of skin (a biopsy) to test it . This is very simple. They will inject a numbing medicine into the area, take a small piece of skin and examine it under a microscope. This will help them determine if it is cancerous or not, and what type it is.

Treatment methods are determined by the type, size, location of the cancer, and the patient's wishes.

• For non-melanoma cancer: Treatments include surgical removal of the skin cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around it, scraping off the cancer cells and burning them with electricity, using extreme cold to destroy the cells (cryosurgery), or topical chemotherapy.
• For melanoma: The cancer is usually removed through extensive surgery. Tests may be done to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. If the cancer has spread, treatment with drugs such as chemotherapy may be needed.

Your doctor will explain all of this to you and help you choose the treatment that is best for you.

What can we do to protect ourselves from skin cancer?

Although sun damage cannot be completely reversed, regular skin protection can help restore some of the damage. So, it's never too late to start protecting your skin.

• Sunscreen is a must: Apply a generous amount of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours if you sweat or swim.
• Wear protective clothing: long-sleeved clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection.
• Avoid the harsh sun: Whenever possible, avoid direct exposure to the harsh sun between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Check your skin yourself: At least once a month, go in front of a mirror and check your entire body. Look for new spots, bumps, or changes in old spots.
• Protect your children: 80% of a person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. So as parents, teach your children how to protect themselves from the sun from a young age. Be a good role model.