SKIN CANCER
The ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION is getting worse and worse every year as the hole in the ozone layer gets thinner and thinner.The increase of UVR has gone up by 20% in South Australia since last year. Each 1% increase in UVR will cause 3 to 5% more cases of skin cancer Every year.
It does not need to be a hot day to get sunburnt.The UVR is constant, even in the winter and that is when most of the skin cancer damage is done.
There are three types of Ultraviolet rays.
UVA:
This is the least dangerous form of UVR. It will however cause skin aging, dry scaly skin, moles and freckles.
UVB:
Are the rays responsable for skin cell destruction which then goes on to become
skin cancer. It can depresses the Imune system, create cataracts
in the eyes and develope corneal damage and growths on the eyes.
UVC:
Is the most dangerous one of all but thankfully little exists on earth because the ozone layer blocks out almost 100% and protects us from it.
The Ultraviolet Rays are always assumed to be dangerous in the summer months only but they are present all year round. Skin dammage can and does accur everywhere in Australia. In summer if you're outside for 25 minutes you are likely to get burnt. In the spring, autum and winter it will take just a little while longer to get skin damage. In fact the UV rays can be very strong all year round.
The only way to avoid getting skin cancer is to prevent it. We can't fix the ozone layer so we have to take matters into our own hands which means going to the shop and spending some money!!!
ON.....
SUNSCREEN:
This is the best protection and can be used every day. The best one to use is 'Hamiltons 30+broad spectrum'. This will stay on for about 2 hours.
If you are going swimming and get sunscreen that says "2 hours water resistant" that will mean that the part of your body that is under the water is safe for 4 hours. The part of your body that is out of the water will get burnt if you don't re-apply after 2 hours.
HATS:
Hats are very important when you are going out in the sun, even if it is just for a few minutes. Be very carefull when you buy them because some hats just won't protect you. The best hats to buy are wide-brimmed because they protect your face, ears, neck and scalp. Baseball caps are NOT for wearing outside in the sun because they protect only 1 quarter of your face. To get full protection out of them you would need to wear 4 of them around your head, all at once.
SUNGLASSES:
These you will need to protect your eyes from the sun. When the UV rays hit the ground, they can bounce straight back into your face. This is why you need sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sunnies must be full wrap-arounds because the UV rays can get in through the gaps that haven't be covered over.
CLOTHING:
Plays a major part in preventing skin damage. Long sleeved shirts are the best idea for when you are outside but if your going in to be in the water then a much safer item is a rashie or a rash top. When a normal top gets wet it becomes see through and 50% of the UV rays can get through.
With a rash top the material that it is made out of, will stop the sun from getting through.
*NOTE*
Try not to go out in the sun between 10am and 2pm because that is when the UV rays are the most extreme.
This is Basal Cell Carcinoma.
This is the most common of all the skin cancers.It is the least dangerous of all.Last year approximatly 40 people died from it.It is usualy found on the skin which is always exposed to the sunlight.
These include the arms,legs,face and neck.They start out looking like a small, round, or flattened lump which are reddish pale or pearly colour.They take about 2 to 3 months to be seen and the will need to be seen by a doctor.
This is Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
It is less common than Basal Cell Carcinoma but more dangerous.
Last year approximatly 160 people died because of it.
It affects the same areas that the Basal Cell Carcinoma does but the ears and lips are sometimes affected.
It takes about 2 to 3 months to surface and is scaly red and some areas may bleed.It reguires fairly urgent medical treatment.
This is Melignant Melanoma.
And it is the most dangerous skin cancer of all.
Last year there were over 900 deaths in just Australia alone.
They are mostly found on areas that are exposed to sunlight but can be found ANYWHERE on the body. This is caused by the UV rays which will affect the mole or the freckle's "make up" and can turn it into a
malignant growth.
The freckles or moles can change in size, shape or colour. Bleeding or itching are indicators of the diease being present so it is very important to get medical treatment RIGHT away.
The Cancer Center Reserch Foundation of SA Inc
161 Ward St, North Adelaide, 5006
Phone: (08) 8239 1531
Fax: (08) 8239 1356