4-27-10
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but it can be prevented by avoiding over exposure to harmful ultraviolet light.
More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U. S. Skin cancer is primarily caused by over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun as well as from tanning salons. It maybe the result of a very bad sunburn years ago or from an accumulation of sun exposure over many years. Dr. Lucinda Buescher, associate professor of dermatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the types of skin cancer.
SOUND BITE: “The three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. And of the three types, melanoma is the form that is the most serious. It potentially can spread to other parts of the body and fortunately it is the least common of the three skin cancers. But its incidence is rising.”
Dr. Buescher, a member of the Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU, says the third most common type of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, which is black, brown or a variety of dark colors. It is the most serious kind and can eventually cause death, so it should be removed as soon as possible. She explains which individuals are most susceptible to cancer.
SOUND BITE: “In general, the people who have fair skin, light colored eye, meaning they’re blue or green and fair hair in childhood, red or blond hair. Obviously those are also people who don’t tan well, meaning they burn on first exposure to the sun and instead of what we what would consider a normal tan, they would freckle if they get any pigment at all.”
Dr. Buescher encourages people to do self examinations for changes in their skin and have skin screenings to detect skin cancer in its early stages. If you or someone you know has a skin spot that is unusual or might even be cancer, you should see your primary care physician or dermatologist for an evaluation and possible treatment.
This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.