Detecting and preventing skin cancer

"Every year, Vietnam has hundreds of cases of skin cancer and is mainly exposed to the sun ," said Pham Thuy Lien, Chairman of the Vietnam Cancer Society.

Hundreds of Vietnamese people with skin cancer every year

Sunlight is needed to synthesize vitamin D but it is also dangerous for the body if we receive too much (Photo:: digitalapoptosis) Separately in melanoma, one of the four main types of skin cancer, according to Prof. Lien every year our country finds an average of 56 cases. Melanoma usually starts with a healthy mole, freckles or a cluster of congenital pigments but can also develop in normal skin.

People with yellow skin have a moderate incidence of skin cancer compared to fair skin and black skin. Therefore, the annual number of skin cancer at several hundred people in our country is alarming.

That is not to mention, 'The cancer recognition system in Vietnam is incomplete, so it is not possible to have a real number , ' said one oncologist.

Symptoms and signs

- Persistent ulcers, sometimes bleeding or can be removed from time to time

Four main types of skin cancer

- Basal cell carcinoma : The first type is often seen in open skin, exposed to sunlight. This cancer is 100% cured.

- Horny carcinoma: The second type usually develops from burn scars or long-lasting ulcers. This type often leads to lymph node metastasis and can cause high mortality if not diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

- Melanoma : Usually begins with a healthy mole, freckles or congenital pigmentation (reduced) but can also develop in normal skin.

- Cancer comes from the subcutaneous glands : The subcutaneous or subcutaneous glands include sweat gland carcinoma, exocrine adenocarcinoma, and sebaceous carcinoma.

- Changes in an area of ​​keratinized skin due to the effects of sunlight such as bleeding, ulcers, small lumps .

- A well-known ulcer in the area of ​​the skin that has been radiated before or at a scar or a line

- A chronic small spot with light scratches.

Reason

Doctors say radioactive ore and especially ultraviolet rays in the sun (UV) are most likely the cause of skin cancer.

According to Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Duc - Director of the Central Cancer Hospital, men are less likely to wear hats than when going out in the sun, with a risk of 1.5 times higher than women. Sun exposure is the highest risk factor for skin cancer, skin damage and mutation.

In particular, 'intermittent ultraviolet radiation exposure has a higher risk of skin cancer than continuous exposure' - Associate Prof. Dr. Duc said. 'Children are exposed to more dangerous sunlight than adults'.

Looking for safe sunshine

According to Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Ba Duc, fortunately, skin cancer is easily diagnosed and can be completely cured if detected early. Another expert, Dr. Marina Neira, also said that 'UVR diseases such as malignant melanoma, cataracts, and other skin cancers can be prevented by simple measures'. .

The first ever advice is that almost everyone knows but despises. It is covering the head, face, neck or taking advantage of the shade when going out in the sun. Regarding clothing, doctors recommend wearing colorful or dark clothes with natural materials.

Young children, especially newborns, are recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure and practice exposure to 'safe sun' to become a daily routine. Care should also be taken to clean the skin regularly, to avoid and promptly treat the symptoms of inflammation on the skin.

Doctors also recommend that certain subjects or skin areas avoid UV rays. These are people with old burn scars or ulcers, long-term infection, those with bright white skin, people working in environments exposed to radiation, chemicals such as uranium miners and arsenic. (arsenic).

The skin has some of the following available diseases also away from UV rays: Moles, freckles, photochemical fibrosis, chromosomal skin disease, chronic dermatitis or skin injury, dysplasia mole syndrome ( Big mole or frown up).