Come and examine your skin for free for any lesions or suspicious signs, at the two events organized by EDAE in Athens and Thessaloniki, this Friday, May 5, 2023!

Skin cancer is a serious disease caused by misuse of the sun and ultraviolet rays. It is important to take care of our skin and have regular skin examinations to detect any changes or intolerances in time.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it is truly precious. Today there are many, modern and minimally invasive body treatments. For their benefits, and for anything concerning your skin, trust your dermatologist.

It is very important to be aware of skin cancer as it is a serious disease that can affect our health. Skin cancer develops when skin cells mutate and start to reproduce dangerously.

The main risk factors for skin cancer are sun exposure, use of carbonated abrasives and genetic predisposition. However, sun exposure is the most important risk factor and can cause both apple and epidermal cancer.

For this reason, it is important to learn how to protect our skin from the sun and to examine our skin regularly to detect any changes or intolerance in time. In addition, it is important to seek professional help if we notice any change in our skin to ensure good health.

Some steps we can take to protect our skin are:

1. Wear sunscreen when in the sun and avoid dangerous times of the day (from 10am to 4pm).

2. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes from the sun.

3. Avoid sunburn, as this increases the risk of skin cancer.

4. Examine your skin regularly for any changes, such as an appendage or change in skin colour.

Επιπλέον, είναι σημαντικό να ενημερωνόμαστε για τον καρκίνο του δέρματος και να υποβαλλόμαστε σε περιοδικό προληπτικό έλεγχο από ιατρό Δερματολόγο.

What are the most common types of skin cancer and what are their causes?

The most common types of skin cancer are mainly caused by frequent and repeated exposure to the sun. However, we are not referring to melanoma, which is a separate category. Skin cancers, when diagnosed early, are easily treatable.

The most prevalent is basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 90% of skin cancer cases. It is favoured by sunburn in adulthood and affects 20% of people over 50 years of age. It does not metastasise.

Squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell skin cancer accounts for 10% of cases and carries greater risks. In some areas, such as the ear or lips, it can lead to metastases.

All people are likely to be affected, but skin cancers are more common in people with fair skin who get a lot of sun exposure.

Skin cancers are rarely fatal. They grow slowly. Early diagnosis facilitates treatment and increases the chances of a complete cure. Therefore, if you discover a suspicious sign, it is necessary to immediately consult a specialist doctor. In case of late diagnosis, given their frequent appearance on the face, they can cause serious aesthetic problems.

Prevention of skin cancer:

The fact that today skin cancer is almost always curable, when diagnosed and treated early, makes the following sun avoidance tips and habits part of your daily care and health protection.

–Να επιδιώκετε να παραμένετε στην σκιά, ειδικότερα κατά τις ώρες ανάμεσα στις 10 π.μ. και 4 μ.μ.

-Avoid burns.

-Avoid sunbathing and artificial tanning (solarium) with U.V. radiation.

-When you are exposed to the sun, cover your body with loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, which protect you from radiation.

-Use daily, sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher.

-For prolonged outdoor activities, use a waterproof, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a protection index of 30 and above.

-Apply sunscreen, equal to 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body, 30 minutes before going outdoors. Repeat the application, with a frequency of every 2 hours, either after swimming or after excessive sweating.

-Do not expose newborns to the sun. After the age of 6 months babies should wear sunscreen.

-Examine your skin from head to toe, regularly.

-Visit your doctor every year for a professional examination of your skin - mapping.

EDAE is the leading scientific society (non-profit) of the Greek dermatologists.

SOURCE:

1.https://www.edae.gr/home/

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr5SA4orVUw&t=1s