Whether it be lying out by the pool or visiting the local tanning salon, many people are working on getting that perfect summer tan, but at what price? Experts at Oncology San Antonio are encouraging sun bathers to apply sunscreen and receive regular screenings to protect themselves against skin cancer.
According to a recent report in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, melanoma rates have risen 50 percent among young women in the U.S. since 1980, a trend that may be related to an increase in the use of tanning salons and exposure to the sun’s damaging rays. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 62,480 new cases of melanoma and 8,420 deaths from it in the U.S. this year. In Texas alone, there will be an estimated 3,940 new cases of melanoma.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the biggest risk factor for developing the cancer, although genetic factors can also contribute. People with fair skin are most at risk, but melanoma occurs in people of all races and skin tones.
Although major gifts, like Nike founder Philip Knight’s $105 million pledge in 2006 to Stanford’s business school, receive a lot of exposure and press coverage, the combined value of smaller gifts from an army of contributors funds a far greater portion of higher education.
Donations provide an estimated 20 percent of annual college inflows. Without individual gifts, it would be impossible for universities to sponsor a full range of activities. This is particularly true at public universities, where donations fill the gap left by state funding cut backs.
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“Although more people are concerned about protecting themselves from skin cancer, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise each year,” said Syed N. Raza, M.D., medicaloncologist, of Oncology San Antonio (OSA) located at Baptist Cancer Center, Live Oak Cancer Center and Methodist Cancer Center. “Education, early detection and prevention are imperative to avoiding skin cancers.” According to the Center for Disease Control, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays appears to be the most important environmental factor in developing skin cancer. Dr. Raza suggests the following risk factors are also key contributors to skin cancer:
– Fair complexion
– Occupational exposures to coal, tar, pitch, arsenic compounds or radium
– Family history
– Multiple or atypical moles – Severe sunburns as a child
Although certain people are more susceptible to skin cancer, everyone should take proper precautions to protect their skin. The American Cancer Society suggests everyone conduct a monthly self–exam and patients between the ages of 20 and 40 geta cancer–related check–up, including a skin examination, every three years and annually for those over 40.
During self–examination, Dr. Raza says to pay special attention to areas that are habitually exposed to sunlight, such as your face, neck and hands. Also, examine your scalp and the back of your ears and use a mirror to check the areas you can’t easily see.
The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape or color. Other warning signs include: a sore that does not heal, a new growth on the skin, spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin, change in sensation of skin – itchiness, tenderness or pain, or change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding or the appearance of a bump. “Self–examination requires a minimum amount of time and effort,” said Dr. Raza. “Remain vigilant about these examinations and contact your physician immediately if you detect any of the warning signs.”
To help prevent skin cancer, Dr. Raza offers the following tips:
– Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.– Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest.
– Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun– Wear sunscreen: Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher – Wear a hat and sunglasses.
– Follow these practices to protect your skin, even on cloudy or overcast days. UV rays travel through clouds.
Oncology San Antonio offers advanced medical and radiation oncology services to patients throughout San Antonio. OSA’s team of expert physicians include radiation oncologists Jory D. Lange, M.D., Gary W. West, M.D., Frank T. Dancuart, M.D., Raj S. Dahiya, M.D. and Marta Caceres Dahiya and medical oncologists Syed N. Raza, M.D., Zulfi M. Jaffar, M.D., and Jayasree Rao, M.D., who provide radiation therapy, targeted drug therapies and diagnostic services at the centers.
The Baptist and Live Oak Cancer Centers are equipped with three linear accelerators delivering Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT). IMRT and IGRT are two significant innovations in radiation therapy technology being used to fight cancer. In addition to IMRT and IGRT, the centers are equipped with Three–Dimensional (3–D) Conformal Therapy, Electron Beam Therapy, High–Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy, Low–Dose Rate Brachytherapy, Surface Radiation Application, and Partial Breast Irradiation (PBI). In addition to providing patients access to the most advanced radiation therapy technology available, OSA’s physicians offer expertise in their use of Gamma Knife and Cyberknife Radiosurgery.
