Skin Cancer Due to Sun rays
I keep hearing about people who have skin cancers that can kill them if they are left for too long. I have worked out in the sun most of my life, and would like to know what a skin cancer looks like?
Cancers of the outermost layer of skin are called skin cancers or squamous cell carcinomas. They occur most commonly on the exposed parts of the body such as the face, scalp, arms and hands. Men with receding hairlines are at greatest risk, because they lack nature’s own sunshade.
A skin cancer looks like a red spot covered in fine white scales. They may be itchy or sore, and often attract attention because they are unsightly. Most of them can be very easily removed, and if the doctor is sure of the diagnosis he or she may burn the cancer off with a diathermy machine, or freeze it off with liquid nitrogen.
If the skin cancer is large, it is necessary to cut out the spot and the surrounding tissue to prevent it from spreading further.
The signs to watch for in a spot or sore are any change in color, shape or size; soreness or itchiness; or bleeding or weeping. If any of these signs occur, see your doctor immediately!
My 61 year old mother is rapidly developing a large number of squamous skin cancers on her legs, despite the fact that she has always kept them well covered. As soon as one is cut out, another appears. Is there anything that can be done about this.
Skin cancers are caused by exposure to excessive amounts of sun in childhood, but it can be decades later that they develop.
All of us are producing cancer cells in our bodies every day, but these abnormal cells are normally rapidly destroyed by the body’s defence mechanisms. In old age, these defences do not work as well, and this allows skin cancers (and other forms of cancer) to develop more easily.
Many older people develop multiple skin cancers, particularly if they spent their childhood in sunny climates, despite protecting themselves from the sun later in life.
These skin cancers can be removed by cutting them out, freezing them off, burning them away or by using special chemicals on the skin. Larger spots must be cut out, but multiple small skin cancers may be frozen with liquid nitrogen spray as soon as they appear. This is probably the best option for your mother, as there is no way to prevent them from developing.
A cream called Efudix, which can only be obtained on prescription, can also be used to control mulriple small skin cancers. It destroys the cancer cells directly, and the skin heals with minimal scarring.
Moisturising creams applied freely to sun-damaged skin will keep that area supple and less likely to develop skin cancer.