Preventing Skin Cancer

There are generally two broad groups of skin cancer namely Malignant Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer.

Malignant Melanoma

Melanomas may arise from an existing mole or nevus or they might arise from normal skin. With malignant melanoma, melanocytes mutate in an uncontrolled way.

A quick easy guide to help you with your monthly self-examinations:

A: Asymmetry – check if one half of the mole does not match the other half

B: Border – check if they are irregular, ragged, blurred or notched

C: Colour – check for differing shades of tan, brown, black, red, blue, white

D: Diameter – check the size of the mole & note any changes to the size (most melanomas are greater than 7mm in diameter)

E: Evolution – check if the mole has grown or changed

Actinic Keratoses (pre-cancer) & Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

• Actinic Keratoses (AK) and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC) are caused by chronic sun exposure over your entire life
• Actinic Keratoses, also called Solar Keratoses, are small red, scaly bumps that appear on sun-exposed areas of the body. They can feel like sharp thorns on the skin
• Approximately 1 in every 10 Actinic Keratoses if left untreated will develop into a Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) usually presents with a pink pearly growth that bleeds easily

Treatment tips that can help prevent Skin Cancer

Prescription

• Annual checkups with your Dermatologist if there is a family history of skin cancer or if your child is born with a larger darker mole or has multiple atypical moles
• Cryotherapy
• Topical 5 fluorouracil ointment
• Imiquimod cream
• Photodynamic treatment
• Surgery

Non-Prescription

• Avoid the 11 am to 4 pm sun and seek shade
• When outdoors, apply a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen to all the exposed areas regularly and re-apply after swimming or heavy sweating
• Wear an appropriate UV-protective broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing
• Use an advanced sunscreen containing antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes

Skincare ingredients that can help prevent Skin Cancer

• Antioxidants
• Genorepair® Complex
• Fernblock®+
• Photolyase
• Vitamin C+E
• Roxisomes
• Nicotinamide
• Photolyase

Skincare products that can help prevent Skin Cancer

The primary cause of skin cancer is prolonged and repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. SPF helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation by blocking or absorbing the UV rays, reducing their penetration into the skin. Dr Webster recommends:

• Heliocare 360° MD AK Fluid SPF 100+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios 100 KA+ Cream

Oral supplements that contain Polypodium Leucotomos (Fernblock), a potent antioxidant from a tropical Central American fern, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Niacinamide are recommended to complement topical sunscreens, especially in people who have more sun exposure during the summer months. Dr Webster recommends:

• Heliocare 360° Capsules
• Lamelle Nia-Sol Capsules & Gel
• Dermastore® Nicotinamide Capsules 500mg

Tanning yourself in the sun for extended periods is high up on the list of ways to damage your skin, not to mention contributing to the development of life-threatening or life-altering skin cancers. Rather opt for self-tanning products for a naturally-tanned look, all year round. Dr Webster recommends:

• Dermastore® Self-Tan Drops