The skin never forgets
Although black skin cancer is one of the most common types of tumors, it is often underestimated. Young people are at above-average risk. The Cancer League recommends showing changes in the skin to a dermatologist.
The main cause of black skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It damages the genetic information in the skin cells. These are able to repair some of the damage. However, individual defective cells can remain and develop into light or black skin cancer over several months, years or decades. Skin cancer (melanoma) develop. The most dangerous form is the black skin cancer, because it can form metastases. More common, but less dangerous, are the light skin cancers, such as basalioma (basal cell carcinoma) and spinalioma (prickle cell carcinoma). An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma or spinalioma in Switzerland each year.
The skin never forgets
Damage to the skin does not only take place through sunburn. Already at the first signs of redness, the maximum tolerable level of UV light is far exceeded. After every excessive exposure from childhood on, damaged cells remain. Sunburns at a young age increase the risk of skin cancer two to three times. Briefly: Too much UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer. That's why it's worth not blushing in the first place.
Insufficient protection can cause skin cancer 20 years later
The sometimes long development time of black skin cancer is treacherous. The fatal consequences are not immediately apparent, but possibly only in ten or twenty years. The statistics suggest that young people in particular are too little aware of the dangers of UV radiation, or that they lull themselves into a false sense of security and therefore protect themselves insufficiently. Therefore, those who take too little care of themselves in their 20s may develop skin cancer by the time they are 40. Compared to other types of cancer, skin cancer affects people under the age of 50 more than other types of cancer: one quarter of the approximately 2700 people diagnosed with black skin cancer in Switzerland each year are under the age of 50. In the total of all cancer patients, the proportion of this age group is 13 percent. Every year, 320 patients die of black skin cancer in Switzerland.
Changed moles? Off to the dermatologist!
The Cancer League recommends showing any changes in the skin, especially moles (also called moles and pigment spots) to a dermatologist. If the black skin cancer is still small and limited to the epidermis, there is a good chance of successful treatment.
How to enjoy the summer well protected
1. spend the siesta in the shade, the best protection from the sun.
Until August, the UV rays are very intense. Especially during lunchtime from 11:00 to 15:00 is a good time to take a siesta in the shade
2. protect yourself with sunglasses, hat and clothes.
UV rays can also damage the eyes. Well protect sunglasses with the CE mark and the note "100% UV protection up to 400 nanometers. Shoulder covered clothing also forms a good protection, especially during prolonged outdoor activities such as gardening, cycling or hiking.
3. use sunscreen as a supplement
To supplement shade and clothing, apply plenty of sunscreen to uncovered skin. A sunscreen should protect against both UVA and UVB rays. It should therefore have the UVA symbol (UVA in a circle) and a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 for adults and at least 30 for children. Caution: Sunscreen is not a free pass for an unlimited stay in the sun.
Source: www.krebsliga.ch
Sun protection brochure: The most important in a nutshell
