Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The best way is to be protected from sun for avoiding skin cancer. The main reason of skin cancer is sun over-exposure (including suntan and especially second degree sunburn along with dropsy). Other factors are recurrent medical and industrial X-ray exposure, dermatological disorders healed by leaving burn and scar, exposure to materials consisting of coal tar or arsenic because of vocational reasons and the existence of cancer in the family. Fair skinned people with high sunburn probability are under higher risk. Because sunlight is the most important reason of skin cancer, avoiding its effects is the most crucial measure.

• * Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the period when sunlight reach the world as steepest.
• * Wear light-colored tightly woven clothes and large hats.
• * Use sun protection creams with at least factor of 15.

A person having sunburn when he stays under the sun for 20 minutes can stay under the sun without sun burning more than 15 times (300 minutes) by using protection creams with at least factor of 15. However, staying for a long time under the sun is not recommended even if you use sun protection creams. Because, sunlight such as UVA that is reason for reduction of immune system on skin and skin aging can reach to skin in spite of sun protectors.

Begin to use sun protection in childhood period because 80% of lifelong sun exposure emerges under 18 years of age. Infants less than six months of age should not be exposed to sun for a long time. If not so, sun protections should be used.

Early diagnosis is most important step of definitive treatment.

Examine your skin at regular intervals. If there are extension and changes on your mole and color change and nonhealing wounds on your skin, you should get examined by Dermatology Specialist as soon as possible.

Pre-cancerous skin findings

Actinic keratoses are small and upper surface scaly spots which prevailed among especially face, back of hand, arms of fair skinned people who are exposed to sunlight. It may turn into skin cancer if not treated. If it is able to be caught on in its early phase, it can be removed with ice therapy, creams and lotions containing chemotherapy drugs can be used and it can be treated with chemical peel, dermabrasion, laser treatment or conventional surgery. Sun protectors inhibit the development of actinic keratoses.

How is skin cancer diagnosed?

Skin biopsy is needed for cancer diagnosis. It increases chances of early diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Dermatology specialists point out important of skin self-examination to be able to make an early diagnosis of cancer.

Inspect macula, moles and dark color areas on your skin in terms of shape and color changes. In case of that you determine any changes; you should see a Dermatology Specialist.

Findings Related to Melanoma

Asymmetry: In this case, one half of mole is different from the other half. Draw an imaginary line across the mole. Is two halves of the mole in same size and shape? There is generally the asymmetry in melanoma.

Borders irregularity: Borders or edges of melanoma are generally ragged, notched, or blurred.

Color: Benign moles can be any color, but they are generally single-color. On the other hand, melanoma often contains more than one color.

Diameter:  Melanomas continue to grow while benign moles remain small. Generally melanomas are larger than 6 millimeter in diameter.

Periodical skin self-examination is crucial measure to be protected from melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Melanoma could be treated only if it is caught on early. You can perform your skin elf-examination in the following order. You’ll need a full-length mirror and a hand mirror and a lightened room to perform your skin self-examination.

• * Examine front and back of your body in front of the mirror then raise your arms and examine right and left sides of your body.
• * Bend your arm at the elbow and look carefully at your palms, forearms and upper arms
• * Then look at back of your legs, your feet, your soles, spaces between your toes.
• * By using hand mirror, examine back of your neck and your scalp by parting your hair.