SKIN CANCER PREVENTION

1. SKIN CANCER PREVENTION May 2011

2. PART ONE Background Information

3. What is Skin Cancer? • Cancer that forms in tissues of the skin • Several types of skin cancer • Most form in older people on parts of the body exposed to the sun or in people who have weakened immune systems Sun Smart Saskatchewan

4. Skin Cancer Statistics – Canada • Most common form of cancer in Canada • An estimated 79,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2011 • 5,500 diagnosed with melanoma • 74,100 diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer • An estimated 1,220 deaths from skin cancer will occur in 2011 • 950 from melanoma • 270 from non-melanoma skin cancer Sun Smart Saskatchewan

5. Skin Cancer Statistics – Saskatchewan • Of 8,930 new cancer cases in 2008 • 3,102 were skin cancer cases • 138 melanoma skin cancers • 2,964 non-melanoma skin cancers • 24 people died of melanoma in 2008 Sun Smart Saskatchewan

6. What Causes Skin Cancer? • Sun exposure is the main environmental cause of skin cancer • Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the solar wavelength involved – UVA & UVB • Most significant preventable risk factor for developing skin cancer • Artificial tanning equipment – tanning beds, sunlamps, tanning lights – also emit ultraviolet radiation Sun Smart Saskatchewan

7. Types of Skin Cancer • Non-melanoma • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) • Melanoma Sun Smart Saskatchewan

8. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) • Most common form of skin cancer • Occur on parts of the body excessively exposed to the sun, especially the face, nose, ears, scalp, neck, shoulders and back • Seldom metastasizes (spreads) however causes considerable damage to tissue • Easily treated in the early stages however can be aggressive requiring extensive treatment Sun Smart Saskatchewan

9. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) • Second most common form of skin cancer • Occurs most commonly in areas frequently exposed to the sun such as, the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, bald scalp, neck, hands, arms and legs • If untreated can penetrate tissue causing damage and metastasize (spread) to distant parts of the body • With early detection almost always curable Sun Smart Saskatchewan

10. Melanoma • Most dangerous form of skin cancer • Can cause serious illness and death • Majority of melanomas are brown or black however some are skin-coloured, pink, red, purple, blue or white • If treated early it is nearly curable however if not it can advance and spread Sun Smart Saskatchewan

11. ABCDEs of Melanoma • A = Asymmetry • The shape on one side is different than the other side • B = Border • The border or visible edge is irregular, ragged and imprecise • C = Colour • There is a colour variation with brown, black, red, grey or white within the lesion • D = Diameter • Growth is typical of melanoma. It is usually more than 6 mm although it can be less • E = Evolution • Look for change in colour, size, shape or symptom such as itching, tenderness or bleeding Sun Smart Saskatchewan

12. 5 Steps to Skin Cancer Self-Exam • Using a mirror in a well lit room, check the front of your body – face, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, thighs and lower legs. • Turn sideways, raise your arms and look carefully at the right and left sides of your body, including the underarm area. • With a hand-held mirror, check your upper back, neck and scalp. Next examine your lower back, buttocks, backs of thighs and calves. • Examine your forearms, palms, back of the hands, fingernails and in between each finger. • Finally, check your feet – the tops, soles, toenails, toes and spaces in between. Sun Smart Saskatchewan

13. Risk Factors for Skin Cancer • Exposure to solar or artificial ultraviolet radiation • Sunburns particularly during childhood and adolescence • Fair or light skin pigmentation • Lighter hair colour (blond or red) • Lighter eye colour (blue, green, grey) • Tendency to freckle, tan poorly and burn easily • Family or past history of skin cancer • Large number of moles or with one or more unusual moles • Take medications that make one more sensitive to the sun Sun Smart Saskatchewan

14. Vitamin D • Sun is a main source of Vitamin D • Amount of sun needed to make Vitamin D changes from person to person • It depends on age, diet, skin colour, where you live, time of day, and time of year • A few minutes a day is usually all that is needed for most people • Prolonged sun exposure or a tan is not needed to get enough Vitamin D Sun Smart Saskatchewan

15. Sun Smart Saskatchewan • Established in June 2009 • Vision – aware and engaged communities throughout Saskatchewan actively preventing skin cancer • Create awareness of the risk for skin cancer from ultraviolet radiation exposure • Encourage other organizations, groups and individuals to increase skin cancer prevention efforts Sun Smart Saskatchewan

16. Questions Sun Smart Saskatchewan

17. For More Information Contact… Sun Smart Saskatchewan via: Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Prevention Department Population Health Division 400 – 2631 28th Avenue Regina, SK S4S 6X3 P: 306-359-5877 www.saskcancer.ca Sun Smart Saskatchewan