Five common habits that can end up in skin cancer, including melanoma

Each year in Poland, more than 12 are diagnosed. skin cancer cases. One quarter is melanoma – one of the deadliest. Most of us “work hard” for it in the summer. Even when you dress scantily on hot days, the risk increases, and it is dangerous to ignore birthmarks on your skin. However, there are many more negligence that may result in skin cancer. We discuss five of them.

1. Skin tumors are one of the most common types of cancer in both men and women. In Europe alone, over 7 million people struggle with them
2. At the same time, these are cancers that are the easiest to avoid, because the cause of their development most often lies in exposure to the sun of unprotected (covering, cream with a UV filter) skin
3. People with moles are more likely to develop melanoma or any other type of skin cancer, so it is very important to have them checked by a dermatologist at least once a year.
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

You do not use or mistakenly use creams with a UV filter

Even though the media, especially during the summer season, has plenty of articles about the dangers of safe sunbathing, many people still don’t care about protecting their skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Meanwhile, such exposure is one of the main causes of skin cancer.

When going outside on hot, sunny days (not only to tan the skin), remember to use a cream with a UV filter. We should apply it to all exposed parts of the body, especially those most prone to sunburn (face, shoulders, cleavage, back).

It is important to choose the right product with protection at the minimum level of SPF30 (preferably higher for the face) and use it skillfully. We should apply a cream with a UV filter every time we leave the water or when we sweat profusely and every two hours if we spend a long time in the sun.

You dress too skimpy on hot days

On hot days it often seems to us that the less clothes we put on, the cooler it will be. It is not quite so, because the sun’s rays have nowhere to “stop” and penetrate directly into the skin, heating it and damaging its structure. At the most visible level, it causes sunburn and discoloration, the deeper ones – changes accelerating skin aging and those of a cancerous nature, from which skin cancers may develop, including melanoma.

Paradoxically, covering the body, including wearing long pants or a long skirt / dress, or covering the shoulders, can bring us more respite than exposing the covered parts of the body. The key is to use appropriate, airy and “breathable” fabrics. There are even special clothes with a UV filter that block the penetration of dangerous UV rays through your clothing – they are great for the beach, for children and people with sensitive skin.

The rest of the text below the video.

You are in the sun at the “worst” hours

Regardless of whether we want to sunbathe or just spend time outdoors, we prefer to choose the hours around noon, between breakfast and late lunch (between 11 and 15). Meanwhile, this is the time when the air temperature is the highest and the sun’s rays are the most intense, which translates into their ability to penetrate deep into our skin and do considerable damage there.

UVB rays are dangerous, as they damage both epidermal cells and connective tissue, as well as DNA, RNA, proteins and cell membranes, but also UVA rays, which destroy not only connective tissue cells (such as fibroblasts or collagen), but also weaken immune cells. All of this can lead to the development of squamous or squamous cell skin cancer.

You use the solarium

Today, sunbeds are not as popular as they used to be, and their use is subject to EU regulations, but the “sun beds” still have their supporters. Meanwhile, even one tanning session in a closed room (bed or cabin) can increase the risk of development by as much as 20%. The risk is even greater in the case of other types of skin cancer: squamous cell (67%) and basal cell (19%).

You’re not interested in your birthmarks

People with multiple moles of skin also have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, especially in areas that are not covered with clothing. The presence of freckles and moles in most cases does not cause any health consequences, but it does not mean that they should be underestimated.

Each owner of moles should regularly consult a dermatologist and undergo dermatoscopy (non-invasive examination, during which a specialist looks at the moles through a special device with a magnifying glass) once a year (owners of a large number of moles and freckles, even once every six months).

Any changes in the appearance of moles (color, size, any exudation) and the appearance of new, unusual ones should cause concern.

We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time, we asked Orina Krajewska what, according to her, a holistic approach to health is. How to combine the three aspects – body, spirit and mind to enjoy balance and good health? You will hear about this and many other aspects of the topic in the latest episode of our podcast.