Laura TeegardenDaily Egyptian
The American Cancer Society estimates that 2,300 new cases of melanoma skin cancer will appear in Illinois this year, which puts the state at the 17th highest skin cancer rate in the nation.
There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma, and melanoma skin cancer is the most deadly type, said Dr. George Kao from Carbondale Memorial Hospital's Department of Radiology and Oncology.
More than one million cases of basal or squamous cell cancers occur in the U.S. annually. That's more than prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas cancer combined. The American Cancer Society expects an estimated 59,580 new cases of melanoma in 2005.
"I think what we have seen this year so far is basal and squamous cell carcinoma," Kao said.
Though he has not seen an abundance of melanoma skin cancer, he stresses the importance of preventative measures.
To prevent skin cancer, limit sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are outdoors in the sun, wear a broad brimmed hat, long sleeves or pants, or sunscreen.
"To prevent burning, you have to use SPF 30 or higher," Kao said. "Fifteen is not enough."
Katy Bowen, a senior from Memphis, Tenn. in university studies said she doesn't wear sunscreen when she lays out four times a week.
"It's relaxing to lay out by the pool," Bowen said. "I think it makes you look better to have some sort of color."
If color is the objective, Kao recommends using self-tanning products instead of laying out or using tanning beds.
UVA and UVB rays still increase the risk of skin cancer, even without burning. But sunburns increase the risk of the more serious forms of cancer.
"Every time you are burning, you are destroying the top layer of your skin," Kao said.
The most common place Kao sees skin cancer is the face because it receives the most sun exposure, he said.
An estimated one in 53 males and one in 78 females will develop skin cancer at some point in their life, according to the American Cancer Society. The chance increases with age.
Bowen said she doesn't worry about skin cancer.
"I've never known anyone my age who has gotten skin cancer," Bowen said.
Though skin cancer is more common as age increases, survival rates are better if you catch the cancer early. There is a 97.6 percent survival rate if you catch before it spreads to other parts of the body.
In order to detect skin cancer early, Kao recommends examining your skin regularly.
Kao said symptoms associated with basal cell carcinoma are raised lesions with craters in the middle that may bleed.
Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms are growing lumps or flat reddish patches.
Signs of melanoma include moles that are irregular in color, symmetry or diameter.
"As far as prevention is concerned, stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen," Kao said.
Reporter Laura Teegarden can be reached at
laura_teegarden@dailyegyptian.com
