Avoid expert advice on skin cancer

New guidelines for the prevention of skin cancer

04/14/2014

Skin cancers have increased significantly in Germany in recent years. This is especially important against the background of the simple possibilities of prevention. Doctors have now summarized guidelines on how best to prevent skin cancer.

Most common type of tumor in young women
Just a few months ago, in 2014, the medical report of Barmer GEK had drawn attention to the significant spread of skin cancers in Germany. According to projections by the health insurance company, the number of white skin cancers increased by 79 percent between 2005 and 2012 and that of black skin cancer by 60 percent. As reported by the "Spiegel", doctors diagnose skin cancer in more than 230,000 people every year, including 200,000 "white" skin cancers (spinal or basal cell carcinoma) and the other "black" skin cancers (malignant melanoma). Skin cancer is the most common type of tumor among young women in Germany, even though hardly any cancer can be avoided so well by prevention.

Prevention recommendations for doctors and the public
Doctors have now summarized in the guide "S 3 - Guideline prevention of skin cancer, which measures can best reduce the skin cancer risk. The Coordinator of the Guideline Group, Professor Eckhard Breitbart said: "We would like to provide physicians and the general population with scientifically-based, practical preventive recommendations." The editors are: AWMF Guidelines Program on Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftliche Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e.V.), the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Aid. The current report is primarily aimed at physicians, but a lay information booklet will appear shortly.

Tips to avoid skin cancer
UV radiation is considered one of the main causes of skin cancer. It is a risk that is very easy to avoid. Therefore, the tips given by the experts are not difficult to follow. The guidelines recommend that you avoid exposure to strong sunlight, such as during lunchtime, wear appropriate clothing, headgear and sunglasses, use sunscreen, adjust the sun exposure to your skin type and prevent sunburn. It is also recommended to keep outdoor stays short, to seek shade, to lay outdoor activities in the morning or evening, and generally to get the skin used to the sun slowly. Special attention should be paid to the protection of children and infants should not be exposed directly to the sun. Tanning studios should be avoided and it should also be noted that dietary supplements with vitamin A, selenium or beta-carotene do not protect against sunburn or skin cancer.

Skin cancer risk is also influenced by the skin type
The individual skin cancer risk is also determined by our skin type. Thus, people with skin type I, ie white skin, often blue or green eyes, red or blond hair and a tendency to sunburn, are more than twice as likely to get melanoma than those with skin type IV, like the "mirror" reported. These form the "Mediterranean type", so insensitive to the sun with dark skin and dark eyes. For basal cell carcinoma, the risk is more than five times, for spinal infarction 1.4 times higher. The type of skin also determines how long you can normally spend in the sun before the risk of sunburn. Under the Mediterranean sun, the skin reddened in white-skinned, red-haired people after five to ten minutes in light blond after ten to 20 minutes and darker skin types can spend up to half an hour unprotected in the sun.

Free check every two years
Statutory insured persons in Germany have been entitled to a screening test every two years since July 1, 2008, starting at the age of 35, and paid by the health insurances. Studies have shown that skin cancer can be detected at an earlier stage. However, many insureds do not fall back on the offer. A Forsa survey in 2013 showed that only 38 percent of those insured in Germany were already on skin cancer screening. And although, these studies can help to significantly prolong life, as survival probabilities drop dramatically as the cancer progresses. After five years, 99 percent of patients still live with melanoma at diagnosis less than 1 millimeter. In addition, a tumor can also be removed with surgery if it is still in the uppermost skin layer. That's why early diagnosis is so important.

Examination takes only fifteen minutes
The examination may be performed by a dermatologist or another physician with special training. For the doctor enough a bright lamp and a trained eye. Only in cases of suspicion does he resort to a special magnifying glass (dermatoscope), in order to analyze a conspicuous liver spot better. The screening usually begins with a preliminary talk and lasts about fifteen minutes, in which the body is meticulously examined from the vertex to the toe intervals.

Note the ABCDE rule
Dermatologists also suggest that they check themselves once a month to spot potential skin cancers at an early stage. So liver spots should be examined from head to toe with the help of the partner or a hand mirror. In doing so, laypersons help the so-called ABCDE-rule, in order to detect whether there may be cancer behind a birthmark. A like asymmetry stands for an irregular form of the birthmark. B How to make sure that the mole is ragged, uneven and rough around the edges. C as Color says that the birthmark is lighter or darker in some places. D stands for diameter of a birthmark and indicates that it is suspicious if it measures more than five millimeters. E, like sublimity, means detachments of skin, knots, bumps or steps. So, if you see something conspicuous in a private examination according to the ABCDE rule, a dermatologist should be consulted better. Nevertheless, a guarantee does not represent the rule, because skin cancer can also hide behind a nail or in other places such as a dark discoloration on the sole of the foot or a non-healing wound on the hoe. (Sb)