Skin Cancer Awereness
As Summer is approaching this is the time to understand a few important things about skin cancer:
Did you know that Ireland has one of the highest rates of malignant melanoma in Europe?
Statistics show about 400 new cases of melanoma every year.
90 % of skin cancer is caused by ultra-violet rays from the sun ( UVA/UVB ).
You might ask yourself 'How is it that the sun which gives us light and heat, make vegetables grow, makes our skin produce Vitamin D which is vital for us to absorb Calcium - can also give us cancer? The answer is very simple:
The sun's-rays bombard our planet every day, the only reason we don't die from over exposure to the suns' rays is because of our atmospheric protection layer called " ozone ", thanks to the atmosphere it is possible for life to exist on this planet.
UVA rays pass through the ozone without effort, too much exposure can cause our skin to tan, burn, to wrinkle.
UVB rays mostly are absorbed by the ozone layer but some get through and it is very dangerous, too much exposure to the sun will cause skin burns, cataracts and Melanoma.
UVC rays are the most dangerous but since they are absorbed by the ozone layer they don't reach Earth.
In some regions the ozone layers have been depleted and a hole has formed allowing those harmful UVC sun-rays to reach Earth (Australia ).
The fair skinned population are more at risk than other skin types. When using sun screen you need to be aware of 2 important factors which can help prevent the misery of sun burn or make the difference of preventing future skin cancer; Always apply sunscreen at least 60 minutes before exposure to the sun or you wont be protected for the first hour. Apply sunscreen to all of your skin - even if its not going to be exposed directly - burning can occur through light clothing - wet clothing - and moles can appear on areas of the skin which have never been exposed to the sun.
Watch out for changing colour moles, lumps, sores that don't heal, new moles, itching moles.
Going to the sun-bed does not protect you from a sunburn.
Chosing a sun-cream:
Uva and Uvb can both harm your skin cells and therefore can cause skin cancer. When you choose a sun-cream make sure that cream will protect you from both UVA and UVB sun rays. SPF is a measure of how long it takes for the skin with sunscreen to burn compared to unprotected skin - it only takes into account UVB rays while a cream with UVA protection has a star rating or a PPD number, the more stars - the more protection.
If you are not sure what best suits your skin protection needs - ask your pharmacist for advice. Remember children are more vulnerable and they should have the stronger protection.
Vitamins and some supplements can be useful to help protect your skin:
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, it has shown to be useful as anti-wrinkles agent and to slow down the aging process, you can buy Vitamin A in supplement form as Vitamin A or as Beta-Carotene or you can get it from fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin E is another very powerful antioxidant, one of the most important benefits of vitamin E is the prevention of skin cancer. This occurs because of its sun protection quality which help reduce or prevent sun damage.
Many skin products this days contain Vitamin E.
Note :before you take supplements and vitamins from a non food source you should consult with a Nutritionist, Naturopath or if you have a medical condition or you are pregnant you should also consult your Physician.
The role of the Massage therapist:
the more you know the better therapist you are, having a general knowledge of skin condition is very helpful first to advise your client about protection and maybe products, second to avoid aggravating any potential problem, third to protect yourself in case of undetected contagious disease, most important for a regular client you can keep an eye on a mole on the back which has changed color and refer to a Specialist or Doctor.
Useful link:
www.cancer.ie