95% of melanomas detected in time have a cure
The melanoma It is the least common skin cancer but the one with the highest mortality rate. The latest research has revealed that almost 90% of melanomas are caused by sun exposureand that the fashion of getting dark by going to UVA rays increases the possibility of developing skin cancer. However, the good news is that a Early detection raises the cure rate above 95%.
Melanoma has increased by 50% in the last 5 years
Skin cancer is the most frequent type of cancer and its incidence has been increasing at a rate of 10% annually in recent years, which means that in the last 5 years its incidence has increased by approximately 50%. "According to data from the American Cancer Association, a person dies in the world every hour because of melanoma, a disease that can be easily prevented and detected in time has a cure rate of more than 95%," says Dr. Miguel Sánchez Viera, director of the Institute of Integral Dermatology.
Every year 5,000 new cases of melanoma are detected in Spain (and 1,000 people die due to advanced melanomas). These 5,000 represent almost 5% of all types of skin cancer that are diagnosed annually. The other two most frequent types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All of them are associated with sun exposure, but the latter, however, have a lower capacity to metastasize than melanoma, and their cure is close to 100%.
The incidence of melanoma increases among young people
"We are concerned by dermatologists that despite the awareness campaigns we carry out each year emphasizing that prevention and early diagnosis achieve almost total healing, the incidence of skin cancer, and melanoma in particular, continues to increase , especially in the young population, which tends to make more deaf ears to preventive measures "warns Dr. Sánchez Viera.
Early diagnosis facilitates healing
New diagnostic methods facilitate the detection of skin cancer. Digital dermatoscopy and body mapping, non-invasive and easy-to-use methods, allow dermatologists to control in a very precise way the evolution of moles and other suspicious lesions before they even degenerate into skin cancer. Performing this test annually in people at risk, facilitates early diagnosis and, therefore, healing.
"Body mapping and digital dermatoscopy are performed using digital photography equipment that makes a serial map of our skin, associated with the detection by surface microscopy of suspicious lesions, storing the images for follow-up and subsequent comparison, and digital dermatoscopy. analyze the shape, color, diameter and evolution, making it easier to make a decision at every moment "says the director of the Institute of Integral Dermatology.
Measures to prevent skin cancer
The main preventive measure is the protection against solar radiation and artificial sources of UVA rays, mainly the tanning beds of UVA rays.
- Do not expose yourself to the sun without photoprotection, at least with an SPF of at least 30, although it is more effective than 50. This includes when we are in beaches and swimming pools, go on excursions, practice sports outdoors or spend a morning fixing the garden, for example.
- Avoid the sun in the central hours of the day, from 12:00 to 17:00 hours. If it is not possible, always do it with photoresists (renewing it every 2 hours), using hats, hats and clothes that protect us from the sun and being most of the time in the shade.
- Do not expose children under 3 years of age to the sun, since they have very sensitive and delicate skin and their defensive system is in the process of formation.
- Do not use UVA tanning booths
Factors that predispose to melanoma
"The latest data shows that people who have used bleached booths more than 10 times in their lives have a 34% higher risk of getting skin cancer than a person who has not used them." Many US states and countries, including Spain, do not allow to use tanning booths under 18 years ", says Dr. Miguel Sánchez Viera.
The genetic factor is also present in the appearance of skin cancer. People with many moles, white skin, blond or red hair or with a personal or family history of skin cancer are more likely to suffer from skin cancer in the future. For this reason, awareness campaigns against this disease always affect the need to periodically visit the dermatologist to do a review, in addition to regular self-examination.
