Expert Says Skin Cancer Is Preventable

by Kate Hettinger

Des Moines, Iowa (March 19, 1997)--

With spring break around the corner and summer approaching fast, many Drake students are preparing for fun in the sun. But skin cancer is a growing topic of interest.

Joan Blum, cancer prevention coordinator at Mercy Hospital, gave an informational speech to an audience of about 25 students about skin cancer education and prevention Tuesday evening in Olmsted Center.

"Skin cancer is one of the cancers you can prevent," Blum said.

Through a slide show presentation, Blum spoke about the different types of skin cancer. The three main types are basal and squamos cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Basal and squamos cell are generally not life-threatening, but can spread and damage other tissue. Malignant melanoma is dangerous because if left untreated, it can spread to organs within the body.

In 1997, it is estimated there will be reports of 900,000 new skin cancers.

"Skin cancer is the most common," Blum said. Three-fourths of these are basal or squamos cell. Malignant melanoma is the most deadly but the least common, Blum said.

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for 90 percent of all skin cancers and is recognized as a lump or a doughnut-shaped rash. It generally starts as a pearly bump, becomes indented in the center and spreads out, disappearing into the skin. Most people do not recognize it because it looks like dry skin. Blum said no matter how much lotion you put on it, it will not go away. Basal cell carcinoma is slow-growing.

"The negative thing about basal cell is it grows across the surface of your skin," Blum said. "Cosmetically, it can be a type of complication."

Squamos cell carcinoma accounts for about 25 percent of all skin cancers. It also resembles a rash or can start as a bump.

Both basal and squamos cell carcinoma are found on exposed areas, such as the ears, face or nose. Men who work in the sun will also find it on their backs.

Malignant melanoma is seldom found in comparison with basal and squamos cell. Caucasians are 12 times at risk of getting this type of skin cancer. Young children and fair-skinned people are also at a greater risk. If someone has multiple moles or someone in his family has had malignant melanoma, he should be on the look-out, Blum said.

Blum recommended a self-check method to look for abnormalities on the skin. There is a test called A, B, C, D, E and F. Each letter stands for a different abnormality. If a mole is asymmetrical, has irregular borders, has variegated colors or has a diameter greater than a pencil eraser, a doctor should be contacted. Also, a person should feel the skin to see if there is elevation where the skin was flat or if there are itching or burning sensations.

If found early, malignant melanoma can be stopped from spreading.

"It begins by growing across the surface [of the skin]," Blum said. "Then it begins growing deep into the skin. It does spread to other organs."

At an early stage, malignant melanoma is 90 percent curable. But once it has spread to an organ, there is a 16 percent survival rate five years after it has been diagnosed.

The best prevention of skin cancer is to plan activities in the shade or at times when the sun is not at its peak hours. Sunscreen and sunblock are also important. The SPF (sun protection factor) of sunscreen refers to the amount of time a person is protected from the UVB rays of the sun.

"It's recommended that everyone wear SPF 15," Blum said. "It will protect your skin for 150 minutes. A 15 is going to block out 92 percent of UVB rays, but it doesn't necessarily mean if a 15 is good, a 30 is better."

Blum said the percent of UVB rays blocked is minimally different as the SPF gets greater than 15. What is important to remember is that sunscreen absorbs and scatters ultraviolet light and sunblock totally reflects it, Blum said.

The students who came to hear Blum speak were concerned about skin cancer.

"I came to the speaker because I work outside in the summer," said Stephanie Spady (JO1). "I think it's a good idea to go learn and know what I can do about it rather than be surprised. It's valuable information."

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