Presented by Hillary Johnson, MD, PhD

Presented by Hillary Johnson, MD, PhD

What Is Skin Cancer? Most common form of cancer in the U.S. Occurs when there are mutations in DNA of skin cells Begins in your skin s top layer, the epidermis Epidermis has three types of cells Squamous Basal Melanocytes 2

Types of Skin Cancer Three Major Types Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma two most common types Melanoma less common, but most dangerous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Occurs on areas of your body exposed to the sun face, ears, hands Basal Cell Carcinoma Usually occurs in areas of your body exposed to the sun, such as your neck or face 3

Melanoma One of the most common cancers in young adults (ages 25 to 29) Begins in skin cells called melanocytes Melanocytes can grow abnormally and become cancerous when overexposed to the sun or any ultraviolet (UV) light, such as tanning beds In men, melanoma most often shows up on the upper body, between the shoulders and hips and on the head and neck In women, it s more likely to develop on the lower legs 4

Risk Factors Fair-skinned, light hair/eyes Excessive sun exposure History of sunburns Family or personal history of skin cancer Weakened immune system Sunny or high-altitude climates Exposure to certain substances such as arsenic 5

Reducing Your Risk Limiting or avoiding exposure to UV radiation Wearing sunscreen year- round Wearing protective clothing Avoiding tanning beds Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications 6

Know Your ABCs It s important to inspect all moles and pigmented spots on your body. Not sure what to look for? Just remember your ABCs: A is for Asymmetry B is for Border C is for Color D is for Diameter E is for Evolving If you draw a line through the mole, the two halves will not match. The edges are jagged, irregular or blurred. The color or pigmentation is not uniform and/or has varying shades of tan, brown or black; you may sometimes see blue, white or red as well. The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6mm). This is equivalent to the size of a pencil eraser. Over time, the mole changes shape, color, size, etc. 7

Sunburn Relief in Your Kitchen? After a little too much fun in the sun, try these home remedies to take the sting out of your sizzled skin: Potatoes: Cut a raw potato in slices and rub a piece on your most painful spots. The starchy compound will help alleviate the sting. Fat-Free Milk: Apply cool, not cold, milk to your skin using a clean cloth or gauze every 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat every two to four hours. The milk creates a protein film on your skin that eases your discomfort. Strawberries: Mash a few up and slather on your sunburn; rinse off after a few minutes. The tannin content helps reduce the sting. Oatmeal: Suffering from a full-body sizzle? Grind up a cup of the cereal in your food processor, add it to cool bathwater and settle in for a soak. 8

Sources www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html www.melanomafoundation.org/prevention/abcd.htm www.melanoma.com/whatis.html onlineradiologytechnicianschools.com/2010/feeling-sunny-25- health-benefits-of-sensible-sun-exposure/ fitbie.msn.com/get-fit/tips/8-sun-safety-myths-debunked/tip/0 www.organicgardening.com/living/13-foods-that-fight- sunburn?page=0,0&cm_mmc=etntnl-_-953668-_- 06282012-_-13FoodsThatFightSunburn-body/ 9

Thank You! 10