As aesthetic plastic surgeons, we do not only perform surgeries for beauty purposes; we, plastic surgeons, perform skin cancer treatment, surgery and follow-up, which is a part of our training.
Let’s test how much we know about this subject now!
Do you think sunburn causes skin cancer or does the sun cause skin cancer?
The most important step of this subject is to understand the rays of the sun…
First of all, let’s take a look at what solar rays(ultraviolet rays-UV rays) are.
Ultraviolet rays reach our world from the sun. These are the ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC) rays you often hear about. (I’m guessing you’ve just heard of C). These rays are located one wavelength below the visible light, meaning that our eyes do not see these ultraviolet rays, but our skin is affected by these rays.
The ozone layer is the strongest atmospheric protector that protects our world from these ultraviolet rays, and it absorbs all UVC and prevents it from reaching the world and us.
But do not doubt that in this century, when the ozone layer has begun to be depleted, UVC will also pave the way for cancer formation.
In fact, one study stated that UVC may be responsible for 12-36% of skin cancers in 2050.
But for now, let’s leave UVC aside as an unknown and focus on UVA / UVB.
95% of the UV rays that can reach the world from the ozone layer are UVA, and the remaining 5% reaches our world as UVB.
UVB rays are the most risky in terms of skin cancer formation.
UVB ray affects DNA repair in the cells in our skin, causing cellular damage, and this cellular damage accumulates and causes cancer.
Do not think that UVA is innocent, UVA also helps the formation of skin cancer by increasing the damage caused by UVB, so it is necessary to protect from both UVA and UVB.
Who is at risk for skin cancer due to sun damage?
1- Having white skin; It increases the risk of skin cancer compared to people with other yellow and black skin.
2- Being light skinned
3- Working outdoors with exposure to the sun. For example, farmers, sailors, lifeguards, excessive sunbathers 🙂
4- Some genetic diseases increase your risk by causing disorders in your skin’s repair of sun damage.
5- Having moles on your body (but this does not mean that every person with a mole will get cancer, follow-up is important)
HOW DO WE PROTECT FROM THE HARMFUL RAYS OF THE SUN?
The most effective way to protect against skin cancer due to sun damage; IS PROTECTION, yes, you heard right.
But there are rules for sun protection;
1- We must carefully plan our relationship with the sun, even when we are young, because the damage caused by skin cancer due to sun damage is cumulative, that is, cancer occurs as a result of these harmful UV rays that your body has seen for decades. can develop skin cancer (this is a rule that also applies to spots)
2-Use of sunscreens is a must, but if possible, use creams with 50 spf for the face and 30 spf for the body, which have protection not only for UVB but also for UVA and UVB.
And as I explained above, perhaps sunscreens with UVC added will take their place in the market in the coming years.
Just because you use sunscreen does not mean that you can stay in the sun as long as you want.
Remember that there are rules for using sunscreen (renewing it every 2 hours, etc.)
Remember that skin damage on our body is visible and noticeable, and these early detections can be lifesaving as they will allow early diagnosis and treatment.
Remember that solariums can damage your skin just as much as the sun.
In fact, let me give you this information: People who have sunburned enough to blister at least once in their childhood may have a higher risk of skin cancer than others.
This information is very important not to take you back to your childhood and wonder if you have ever been burned like this, but to make you think about how seriously sun damage should be taken and to understand how important it is to protect children and young people from this point on.
Although there are various types and classes of skin cancer, it is a completely treatable disease thanks to early diagnosis and treatment, and it is obvious that the most important treatment for now is prevention.
I wish you a sunny but sun-damaged summer.
