Skin cancer – these two words are enough to strike fear into people making them brush the subject under the carpet. Advertisements, messages and warnings of skin cancer are seen all over the place, yet the public insist on passing their time on the beach or opting for a cheap tanning machine for perfect mocha colored tans.
More than 2 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States as melanoma, the most well-known, and malignant, form of skin cancer affecting more than 68,000 Americans.1 Despite the urgent messages, 90% of Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a non-melanoma type of skin cancer caused by over-exposure to the sun.
Skin cancer is a serious matter, with some forms leading to death; however, once recognized and caught at an early stage, it can be treated. The first step to preventing skin cancer is by understanding the difference between UVA and UVB rays to avoid long-term damage and choosing the correct sun protection for your skin.
What are UVA rays?
Ultraviolet A or UVA rays are present all-year round, in every season and weather and are emitted by the sun. Their powerful rays can penetrate through cloudy days, certain types of clothing, glass, and deep within the skin.
How does this affect skin?
UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis – this is where collagen, blood vessels, elastin and nerve endings are found to form and maintain the skin’s appearance. Repeated exposure to such intense rays causes long-term skin damage such as, premature ageing and wrinkling because it shrivels and shrinks the collagen.2
Because of its intensity, UVA is thought to damage skin cells, mainly basal and squamos cells. Such cells are known as keratinocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the epidermis. When these cells are constantly exposed to the sun’s rays, be it in summer or winter, mutations are formed within the cells, increasing the risks of skin cancer.3
Science was convinced UVB rays were the reason behind soaring cases of skin cancer. However, in 2010, a study by NYU School of Medicine confirmed it was mostly UVA radiation that was triggering mutations in DNA human melanocyte cells, ultimately resulting in melanoma.4 The UVA rays were coming from excessive sunlight, tanning and tanning beds. For instance, tanning beds emit (shockingly) 12 times more UVA than the sun! And if you begin using it at an early age, it increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.5
What are UVB rays?
Ultraviolet B or UVB rays are less intense than UVA rays and do not penetrate the skin as deeply. UVB rays are responsible for your mocha colored tan or skin reddening and are most prominent at midday and in the summer months. They are less effective in winter because the rays do not reach the earth’s surface. On the other hand, they reflect off snow and water, causing the same redness and burns in summer. So it’s important to protect yourself, even in the winter months. In summer, UVB rays are strongest from 10am to 4pm but fortunately, they are too weak to pass through glass or clothing.
How does this affect skin?
UVB is absorbed by the stratum corneum; in other words, the visible layer of the skin called the dermis. When the skin has soaked up plenty of sun, more melanin (responsible for skin color) is produced. A golden tan makes the skin look more attractive; however, in reality, the excess production of melanin is the skin’s way of saying it’s injured.
What is going on underneath the skin is another story: high levels of UVB exposure mutated skin cells in basal and squamos cells: the more mutated cells, the higher the risk of skin cancer.6
Check Your Sunscreen
There are certain ingredients in sunscreen which will block out the sun’s exposure; all it takes is careful reading of the label. Chemicals like ecamsule, zinc oxide, titanium oxide and avobenzone are believed to protect against some UVA and UVB protection.6 People mistakenly think 1 or 2 applications of sunscreen are enough to secure against the harmful rays of the sun. On the contrary, thin layers of sunscreen only offer a minimum of 1-2 minutes protection.7 The key is to continuously apply lotion for maximal protection.
How to reduce your risks
Despite minor differences, both UVA and UVB go hand-in-hand in harming the skin. Too much exposure encourages mutilations within our cells and too little (mainly from UVB) depletes our bodies from essential vitamin D.
The following are guidelines to follow by The American Cancer Society to reduce the effects of UVA and UVB:
Slip, slop, slap and wrap is the slogan announced by The American Cancer Society. These four words are effective reminders of protecting yourself against UVA and UVB rays: slip on a top, slop on the protection, slap a hat on and wrap your eyes with sunglasses.8
Because UVA and UVB rays are strongest at midday, its best to seek shade or if you can’t avoid the sun, opt for sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30+.
Read the label carefully. Sunscreen means protection from UVB rays only, whilst “broad spectrum” blocks both UVA and UVB.
Keep up the protection even during the winter months.
Knowing, understanding and safeguarding your skin, amongst other practical methods are the ideal ways to avoid skin cancer.
References
1 Melanoma and Skin Cancer Prevention
www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/MoreInformation/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-intro
2 What You Need To Know About Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers January 2011The National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin
3 UV Radiation and Cancer. (2007) American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/uvradiationandcancerpdf.pdf
4 Ibid
5 Ibid
6 How do I protect myself from UV Rays? June 2011 American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/MoreInformation/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-
early-detection-u-v-protection
7 Ibid
8 Ibid
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