Sun Exposure and Melanoma Risk Flashcards
What are the three types of skin cancer associated with sun exposure?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Malignant melanoma
Which types of skin cancer are associated with chronic long-term exposure to the sun?
SCC
BSC
What type of skin cancer is associated with acute, intense, and intermittent blistering sunburns?
MM
BCC and SCC are often grouped together as what?
NMSC - Non-melanoma skin cancer.
In the UK population what is the most common locations for MM in males and females?
Females: lower leg
Men: back
What is the ABCDE rule?
Asymmetry - Ordinary moles are usually symmetrical in shape. Melanomas are likely to be irregular or asymmetrical.
Border - Moles usually have a well-defned regular border. Melanomas are more likely to have an irregular border with jagged edges.
Colour - Moles are usually a uniform brown. Melanomas tend to have more than one colour. They may be varying shades of brown mixed with black, red, pink white or a bluish tint.
Diameter - moles are normally no bigger than the blunt end of a pencil (about 6mm across). Melanomas are usually more than 7mm in diameter.
Evolution - the symmetry border, colour, or diameter of a mole has changed over time.
NMSC are more associated with what age of people?
Older people, the average age of diagnosis in the early 70s. The cancers are rarely fatal but can cause substantial morbidity.
NMSC are more common in what types of people?
People who have worked outdoors.
Fair skinned people.
Living in tropical places.
What is actinic keratoses?
The most common pre-malignant skin condition which affects the same group of people as SCC. 1 in 1000 cases progresses to SSC.
Begin as small rough spots on regions of the body exposed to long-term sun exposure, head, forearms, hands.
Roughness is a key feature - often referred to as feeling like rubbing sandpaper.
They are generally flat and brown and have well demarcated edges. Over a period of years they enlarge and often become red and scaly.
What is a key feature of actinic keratoses?
Roughness is a key feature - often referred to as feeling like rubbing sandpaper.
They are generally flat and brown and have well demarcated edges. Over a period of years they enlarge and often become red and scaly.
What % of actinic keratoses will progress to SSC?
The most common pre-malignant skin condition which affects the same group of people as SCC. 1 in 1000 cases progresses to SSC.
Begin as small rough spots on regions of the body exposed to long-term sun exposure, head, forearms, hands.
Roughness is a key feature - often referred to as feeling like rubbing sandpaper.
They are generally flat and brown and have well demarcated edges. Over a period of years they enlarge and often become red and scaly.
How is actinic keratoses treated? (4)
- An emollient may be sufficient for mild lesions.
- Diclofenac sodium gel is suitable for superficial lesions in mild disease.
- Fluorouracil cream is effective against most types of non-hypertrophic actinic keratosis (a solution containing fluoruracil with salicylic acid is available for the treatment of low or moderately thck hyperkeratotic keratosis).
- Imiquimod is used for lesions on the face and scalp when cryotherapy or other topical treatments cannot be used.
Fluorouracil and imiquimod produce a more marked inflammatory reaction than diclofenac sodium but lesions resolve faster.
What are seborrhoeic warts?
Benign flat or raised lesions that vary in colour. Initially, they take on the colour of the person’s skin but gradually darken.
Increase in incidence from 40 years onwards.
Over time they can become wart-like and have a stuck on waxy appearance. Occasionally, they can become inflamed, itchy or bleed byt this is normally because they have been caught on clothing.
What are the referral points for sunburn/damage? (3)
- Facial lesions, especially in people over 40.
- Lesions that have become itchy, irritated or are prone to bleeding.
- Moles that have changed in size, shape or colour.
Cancer Research UK has promoted a Sun SMART cancer prevention programme which high-lights the key sun avoidance measures that should be promoted to the public. What are these?
S. Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
M. Make sure you never burn
A. Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.
R. Remember to take extra care with children
T. Then use factor 15+ sunscreen
