Skin Cancers Treatment

Skin cancer is the most seen cancer type above all. The most important factor in protection from skin cancer is sun protection. Excessive exposure to the sun (especially second-degree sunburn with blisters, including tanning) increases the risk of skin cancer. Other factors that increase the risk of skin cancer; repeated exposure to medical and industrial X-rays, skin diseases that heal with burns or scarring, occupational exposure to substances containing coal tar or arsenic, and a family history of skin cancer. People with fair skin who are more likely to get sunburn have a higher risk. Since sun rays are the most important cause of skin cancer, the most important protective measure is to avoid the sun.

Protect yourself from the sun between 10:00 and 16:00, the hours when the sun reaches the earth's steepest. During the hours when the sun reaches the earth's surface, your shadow is shorter than your own height. Wear light-colored, tightly woven protective clothing and a wide hat. Use sunscreen creams with a protection factor of at least 15. A person who gets sunburned after being in the sun for 20 minutes can stay in the sun for 15 times longer (300 minutes) without burning when using a sunscreen with SPF 15. However, one should not stay too long in the sun by using sunscreen creams. Because sun rays such as UVA, which are responsible for the skin's immune system and skin aging, can reach the skin even though sunscreens are available. Although sunscreens developed in recent years also contain a protection factor against UVA, physical protection from sun rays should not be neglected.

Start using sunscreen in childhood because 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs under the age of 18. Babies under 6 months should not be exposed to the sun for a long time, if they will stay, sunscreens should be used.

Early diagnosis is the most important first step in definitive treatment.

Examine your skin periodically. If you have enlarged moles, discoloration of your skin and non-healing wounds, consult a Dermatology Specialist as soon as possible.

Pre-Cancerous Skin Findings

actinic keratoses; They are small, scaly spots that can be seen on the face, back of the hands and arms of light-skinned people, especially those who have been overexposed to the sun's rays. If left untreated, it can turn into skin cancer. If it is caught at an early stage, it can be removed with ice therapy (cryotherapy), creams or lotions containing chemotherapy drugs can be used, chemical peeling can be treated with laser therapy or classical surgery. Sunscreens prevent the development of actinic keratosis.

How Many Types of Skin Cancer Are There?

There are three types of skin cancer; basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, melanoma.

Basal cell cancer

This type of cancer usually occurs in the form of small fleshy bumps on the skin, often on the face, neck, and backs of the hands. It can occasionally be seen as red patchy areas on the trunk. It is more common in fair-skinned people. People with this cancer have fair skin, colored eyes and are prone to sunburn. These tumors do not spread quickly. It takes months or years for them to reach 1-2 cm in size. If not treated; the cancerous area begins to bleed and crust over. It improves from time to time and recurs from time to time. Although this type of cancer rarely metastasizes (spread to other organs), it can spread to the bone under the skin and destroy tissue near the cancerous tissue.

Squamous cell cancer

This skin cancer may present as raised bumps or red crusted sores on the skin. Squamous cell cancer is the second most common type of cancer in fair-skinned people. It typically occurs on the ears, face, lips, and mouth. Rarely, it can be seen in dark-skinned people. It can create large audiences. Unlike basal cell cancer, it can spread to other organs. The cure rate is high when caught early. Treatment success in basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer is 95%.