Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans having a chance of diagnosis in their lifetime. Eight of ten cases of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (Gruber P). Basal cell carcinomas involve the basal layer located at the bottom of the epidermal layer, which is responsible for the regeneration of new skin cells. The outer layer of our skin is protective in nature and the fast cell turnover of the epidermal layer can be associated with the higher incidence of basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is not fatal or metastatic, thus treatment and intervention have high success rates (Niculet E). Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes. This cancer type is more malignant because it has higher rates of metastasis (Puckett Y).
Risk factors for developing skin factors are multifactorial, but is often caused by behavioral and environmental factors, but genetics do play a role. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and lack of photoprotection are major risk factors. Additionally, fair skin or genetic mutations can play a role in developing skin factor as well. Melanin is a photoprotective molecule that absorbs UVR and dissipates their harmful effects, and individuals with fair skin should exercise more caution when exposed to UVR (Gruber P, Narayanan DL, Niculet E, Perez M).
When counseling patients on decreasing their risk, it is important to emphasize the importance of limiting direct UVR exposure, from sunlight and other sources. Exposure to UVR for cosmetic reasons, such as tanning beds, should be warned against. UVR for medical purposes, such as treatment of psoriasis and other chronic dermatologic conditions should be done for the shortest required duration possible. Applying sunscreen with SPF greater than 20 more than 30 minutes before direct UV exposure and re- applying up to every 2 hours during the exposure period and wearing photoprotective garments reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. Regular screenings for skin cancers are also integral in identifying and diagnosing skin cancers in their early stages, thus allowing for earlier interventions, and reducing morbidity and mortality, especially for patients that may be diagnosed with melanomas (Guerra KC, Perez M).
Citations:
Gruber P, Zito PM. Skin Cancer. [Updated 2023 May 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441949/
Guerra KC, Zafar N, Crane JS. Skin Cancer Prevention. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519527/
Narayanan DL, Saladi RN, Fox JL. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer.Int J Dermatol. 2010;49(9):978-986. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04474.x
Niculet E, Craescu M, Rebegea L, et al. Basal cell carcinoma: Comprehensive clinical and histopathological aspects, novel imaging tools and therapeutic approaches (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):60. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10982
Perez M, Abisaad JA, Rojas KD, Marchetti MA, Jaimes N. Skin cancer: Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Part I.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;87(2):255-268. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.066
Puckett Y, Wilson AM, Farci F, et al. Melanoma Pathology. [Updated 2022 Oct 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459367/
Ultraviolet Radiation and Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans having a chance of diagnosis in their lifetime. Eight of ten cases of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (Gruber P). Basal cell carcinomas involve the basal layer located at the bottom of the epidermal layer, which is responsible for the regeneration of new skin cells. The outer layer of our skin is protective in nature and the fast cell turnover of the epidermal layer can be associated with the higher incidence of basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is not fatal or metastatic, thus treatment and intervention have high success rates (Niculet E). Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes. This cancer type is more malignant because it has higher rates of metastasis (Puckett Y).
Risk factors for developing skin factors are multifactorial, but is often caused by behavioral and environmental factors, but genetics do play a role. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and lack of photoprotection are major risk factors. Additionally, fair skin or genetic mutations can play a role in developing skin factor as well. Melanin is a photoprotective molecule that absorbs UVR and dissipates their harmful effects, and individuals with fair skin should exercise more caution when exposed to UVR (Gruber P, Narayanan DL, Niculet E, Perez M).
When counseling patients on decreasing their risk, it is important to emphasize the importance of limiting direct UVR exposure, from sunlight and other sources. Exposure to UVR for cosmetic reasons, such as tanning beds, should be warned against. UVR for medical purposes, such as treatment of psoriasis and other chronic dermatologic conditions should be done for the shortest required duration possible. Applying sunscreen with SPF greater than 20 more than 30 minutes before direct UV exposure and re- applying up to every 2 hours during the exposure period and wearing photoprotective garments reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. Regular screenings for skin cancers are also integral in identifying and diagnosing skin cancers in their early stages, thus allowing for earlier interventions, and reducing morbidity and mortality, especially for patients that may be diagnosed with melanomas (Guerra KC, Perez M).
Citations:
Gruber P, Zito PM. Skin Cancer. [Updated 2023 May 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441949/
Guerra KC, Zafar N, Crane JS. Skin Cancer Prevention. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519527/
Narayanan DL, Saladi RN, Fox JL. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. Int J Dermatol. 2010;49(9):978-986. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04474.x
Niculet E, Craescu M, Rebegea L, et al. Basal cell carcinoma: Comprehensive clinical and histopathological aspects, novel imaging tools and therapeutic approaches (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):60. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10982
Perez M, Abisaad JA, Rojas KD, Marchetti MA, Jaimes N. Skin cancer: Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Part I. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;87(2):255-268. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.066
Puckett Y, Wilson AM, Farci F, et al. Melanoma Pathology. [Updated 2022 Oct 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459367/