Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It accounted for 7.6 million deaths (around 13% of total deaths) in 2008.1 While there is continuing research into what causes cancer to occur and treatments for the various forms of cancer, there is still much that we do not know about this deadly disease. One way to improve the chances of beating this disease is to be aware of precancers.
Precancers are defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health to be “lesions that precede the appearance of invasive cancers.”2 Many believe that preventing or treating precancers can lead to the prevention of deaths due to cancer.
This means that people must be vigilant of what is going on with their bodies. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced, high-stress world today, we often don’t take the time that is necessary to make sure that there are no suspicious-looking moles, birth marks, or signs on our bodies that could be precancers.
This is a major factor in why cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the world, despite the fact that more than 30% of cancer deaths can be prevented.1 It is important that we be on the lookout for precancers, as cancer deaths are projected to rise to over 11 million by 2030.1
Precancers Are Not Cancer, But Can Become Cancer Over Time
Many cancers, including skin cancer, start off as precancerous lesions. Precancerous lesions are changes in one’s skin. Many people make the mistake of thinking that these are lesions are cancer. The fact is is that these lesions are NOT cancer, but they can BECOME cancer over time.
In fact, 40-50% of fair-skinned people who live to 65 years of age will develop at least one type of skin cancer.3 That is why it is very important to keep an eye out for any changes in the surface of your skin, including suspicious-looking moles, beauty marks, and bruises. This is especially true if the suspicious mark or mole was not there previously.
Who is Most Likely to Develop Actinic Keratosis and Other Precancers
Actinic Keratosis (AK) is the most common precancer, as an estimated 10 million Americans have it. The people who are most likely to develop actinic keratosis include those who have fair complexions, eyes that are grey, green, or blue, and hair that is red or blond in color. These chances increase with a person’s age and with how much time a person spends in the sunlight. The odds also increase if a person lives closer to the equator, due to the fact that locations nearer to the equator receive more sunlight all year round.
The Importance of Age When It Comes to Skin Cancer
Most skin cancers begin after age 50, but what many people fail to realize is that the cause of the cancer and the damage it can inflict often begin much sooner. This is especially true if people spent a great deal of time outdoors in the sunlight in their earlier years.
Photoaging, or premature aging, is a common result for those who spent many hours sunbathing. Photoaging differs from regular aging of the skin, as photoaging occurs in many people before they turn 30 years old, whereas normal aging of the skin often doesn’t begin until after age 40.
Senior citizens who have not dealt with skin cancer in their lives are not immune to it. In fact, what often happens is that when a senior citizen is diagnosed with skin cancer, that cancer has usually spread to other parts of the body and has become more deadly to that person’s health. This is why there is a sharp increase in the deaths of senior citizens due to skin cancer, as it is often overlooked and missed before it is too late to effectively treat it.
The Importance of Treating Precancers
As mentioned, precancerous lesions are not cancer, but can become cancer over time. That is why it’s always important to watch out for any changes of your skin, including any new moles or beauty marks. You should especially take note if the mole or beauty mark has a different color, appears rough, or appears to be raised from your skin.
Not detecting and monitoring precancers in their early stages can lead to cancer spreading throughout your body, making it much more difficult, if not impossible, to treat effectively. Through continuous monitoring via regularly scheduled examinations, a precancer that is determined to be cancerous can often be treated effectively through a variety of treatment options.
Treatments for Precancers
There are many different treatments for precancers. Topical treatments can be used to treat early lesions that aren’t even visible. Cryosurgery involves exposing precancerous lesions to extreme cold in an attempt to destroy them. Chemical peeling involves peeling away precancerous lesions using chemical solutions to lessen the chances of developing skin cancer. Laser surgery is used to remove precancerous lesions. Some doctors will incorporate a combination of all of these techniques to give their patients the highest probability of eliminating precancers.
Easier to Treat Precancers than Cancers
The greatest chance of battling and defeating cancer is monitoring your skin regularly and seeing your doctor or dermatologist if you see any noticeable change in your skin. Identifying precancers early is the best way of eliminating any cancer threat, as treating precancers is much easier and more effective than treating cancers.
References
1 WHO | Cancer. (2011, February) From World Health Organization:
www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/
2 Precancer: A Conceptual Working Definition – Results of a Consensus Conference. (2006, October 31). From PubMed.gov:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17079091
3 Skin Cancer Signs and Symptoms | Pictures of Skin Cancer and Precancerous Lesions Slideshow. (2011, May 26). From WebMD: www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/slideshow-precancerous-
skin-lesions-and-skin-cancer
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