The intengumentary system (skin) is the largest organ of the body. It protects us from external damage, helps us retain moisture as well as get rid of waste, and it also plays a role in regulating our body's temperature. So it would make sense we would want to protect this major organ, right?
My profession deals not only with improving my client's skin but keeping it in good health. Starting out as an Aesthetician, I knew daily sun screen was the key to looking 25 when i'm 45. Keep those lines and wrinkles away!
My opinion of that changed when I started working for a plastic surgeon. About 40% of what we saw in that office was skin cancer related. Skin checks, biopsies, excisions of suspicious lesions, and large Mohs surgeries. What I came to learn is that the damage can happen while we are young and develop into the cancer later in life. Also, the process to remove skin cancer involves unsightly scars and can even require major tissue reconstruction.
My profession deals not only with improving my client's skin but keeping it in good health. Starting out as an Aesthetician, I knew daily sun screen was the key to looking 25 when i'm 45. Keep those lines and wrinkles away!
My opinion of that changed when I started working for a plastic surgeon. About 40% of what we saw in that office was skin cancer related. Skin checks, biopsies, excisions of suspicious lesions, and large Mohs surgeries. What I came to learn is that the damage can happen while we are young and develop into the cancer later in life. Also, the process to remove skin cancer involves unsightly scars and can even require major tissue reconstruction.
Over 3 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year and majority of those people have multiple lesions. Roughly 10,000 of those people die every year from melanoma. Melanoma is a metastatic growth meaning it can spread into other cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer causing around 4 million cases each year. Keep in mind that skin cancer victims frequently have multiple sites of lesions. The second most frequent skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, affecting about 1 million.
What To Look For:
This chart is a great example of what to check for when checking your self or others for suspicious lesions. Self checks are proactive but it is also important to get a yearly check from a dermatologist. Using a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun screen of 30 or higher is recommended daily. Even though you're not spending the day outside, the sun still reaches you in the car, walking in and out of places, and even through windows. Reapplication every 2 hours is advised especially when spending time outdoors.
For more information on skin cancer and prevention visit The Skin Cancer Foundation.