MELANOMA Bad type of skin cancer, “Mole Cancer” Appears on sun-exposed and non-sun exposed skin Asymmetry, Border Irregularity, Color variation, Diameter greater than 6 mm Rate of metastasis depends on depth of tumor into skin (want to catch it early with a shallow depth) 44,200 Melanoma cases Incidence doubles every 15 years
		BASAL CELL CARCINOMA Most common type of skin cancer in general population Appears on sun-exposed skin Pearly with telangectasia, may ulcerate Rarely metastasizes 850,000 Basal cell carcinoma cases Incidence doubles every 25 years
		SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA Second most common skin cancer in the general population Most common skin cancer in transplant recipients Appears on sun-exposed skin Red, scaley, firm, may ulcerate 1-15% metastasize 200,000 Squamous cell carcinoma cases Incidence doubles every 20 years

RECOGNITION OF THE HIGH-RISK PATIENT

• Fair or easily burned skin
• Blue, green or hazel eyes
• Red or naturally blonde hair
• Extensive freckling
• History of extensive outdoor sun exposure
• A prior history of skin cancer
• A family history of skin cancer

HIGH RISK PATIENT RECOGNITION CONTROL

If you said “yes” to any of the listed risk factors,

• you should have an initial complete
• skin exam by a dermatologist.

NECESSARY ACTION FOR PREVENTION OF SKIN CANCER

• Sun Protection
• Once a month self skin examination
• Examination by a dermatologist if risk factors warrant
• Treatment of precancers and cancers early

SUN PROTECTION

• Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with >/= SPF 30
• Look for sunscreen in daily moisturizer and make-up if worn
• Limit out-door activities between 10AM & 4PM
• Wear protective clothing
• Wear a broad-brim hat
• Avoid natural & artificial tanning

SUNSCREEN

• Block UVA/UVB - complete block
• SPF 30 or greater
• Apply liberally
• Reapply every 2 hours (no matter what the bottle advertises)
• Don’t use it to avoid a burn, but allow a tan (use to block the sun)
• No One Truly Likes to Wear Sunscreen! That isn’t the issue, your health is!

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Favorite worn-in white T-shirt? NO!
• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Tight weave fabric
• Special clothes with SPF available
• Special detergents available to give SPF to clothes
• Broad-brimmed hat
• IS A TAN PROTECTIVE??...NO!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

• Persistent red areas
• Areas with persistent sandpaper like scale
• Persistent sores/Won’t heal
• Areas that bleed easily
• Spots that change colors

ABCD GUIDELINES

• A - Asymmetry
• B - Border irregularity
• C - Color variation
• D - Diameter greater than 6mm (size of a pencil eraser)