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Skin Cancer:What You Should Know

Randy R. WeigelUniversity of Wyoming

Cooperative Extension Service

Skin Cancer

•Most common cancer in US

•Fastest increasing cancer in US

•1,000,000 people had some form of skin cancer in 2003

Skin Cancer

•Three main types-- basal-cell-- squamous-cell-- melanoma

The main difference between melanomas and other skin cancers is that melanoma canmetastasize (spread) to distant body sitesincluding the lungs, liver or brain.

The Skin & Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma

*Seventh most common cancer in the United States.

*One out of every 105 Americans born in 1991will develop malignant melanoma(compared to 1 out of 1,500 in 1935).

*The number of new cases of melanoma has morethan doubled since 1973.

Melanoma (cont.)

•Most common cancer in young adults age 25-29•Among women age 30-35, incidence is exceeded only by breast cancer•Incidence increasing 4% annually, higher than any other cancer•On average, one melanoma death in the U.S. per hour

Melanoma (cont.)

•Increase is the result of recreational sun exposure, thinning of the ozone layer, and better detection.•In 2001, an estimated 48,000 new cases of melanoma occurred.•In 2003, 54,000 new cases occurred •In 2000, skin cancer claimed the lives of 9,600 people.

Top 8 Invasive CancersWyoming and US, 1997

Wyoming United StatesProstrate ProstrateBreast BreastLung LungColon ColonBladder LymphomaMelanoma BladderLymphoma MelanomaRectal Rectal

Wyoming and Melanoma

•72 people died from melanoma cancer from 1992-1996.•Wyoming ranked 2nd in the U.S. for melanoma deaths from 1992-1996.•Wyoming ranked 5th in the U.S. for melanoma deaths from 1996-2000•Which Wyoming counties had the highest % of melanoma cases?

ABCDs

•Asymmetry

•Border

•Color

•Diameter

Asymmetry

One half does not matchthe other half.

Border irregularity

The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.

Color

The pigmentation is not uniform.Shades of tan, brown, or black arepresent. A mottled appearance.

Diameter

Greater than ¼ inch. Any suddenor continuing increase in size is of special concern.

Normal Mole

Malignant Mole

Ultraviolet (UV) RadiationUVA – UVB - UVC

The sun radiates energy over a broad spectrum ofwavelengths. UV radiation, which has a shorterwavelength than visible blue or violet light, isresponsible for sunburns and other health effects:

•Skin cancer•Cataracts•Suppression of the immune system•Premature aging of the skin

Sunburns

…We found an increased risk of melanomarelated to the frequency of sunburnsduring all periods of life. More than fivesunburns doubled the melanoma risk, irrespective of the time in life. British Journal of Dermatology

(2001)

What Can You Do?

•Increasing Awareness-- that melanoma is serious-- the importance of prevention-- self-exams-- getting in and getting it treated

Malignant Mole

See Spot

See Spot Change

See Doctor…………….

Or, See Spot Kill!