This isn't the first time Jackman has reminded people to wear sunscreen in an Instagram post. In 2013 Jackman reveals he has basal cell carcinoma on his nose, adding: “Get checked. AND USE sunscreen!!!”
Likewise, Khloe Kardashian recently underwent two biopsies after noticing a small bump on her cheek that wouldn't go away, she wore a bandage while it healed. However, unlike Jackman, Kardashian suffers from melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. At age 19, she was diagnosed and treated for melanoma on her back.
Around 80% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma.affecting about 1 5 Americans. This condition responds well to treatment and is less likely than other cancers to spread to other parts of the body.
We asked dermatologists about early signs of basal cell carcinoma, risk factors, prevention and treatment, including the importance of wearing sunscreen and getting screened for skin cancer.
Here are the early warning signs
Basal cell carcinoma occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Chronic exposure to UV rays sun exposure is the greatest risk factor, especially in early childhood and adolescence.
“This is all something that happened 25 years ago. It's coming out now. Put on some sunscreen. You'll still have an incredible time there. Okay. Please be careful,” Jackman ended the video.
Other risk factors include indoor tanning, history of skin cancer, age over 50, fair skin, chronic infections and skin inflammation, including burns and scars.
There is no such thing as a healthy tan, says Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in the United States. New Yorktold BuzzFeed News, even if there is no sunburn.
“Tanning is a protective mechanism that kicks in when the DNA of skin cells is damaged by ultraviolet radiation,” King said. “Both tanning and sunburn are the result of DNA damage, which can pave the way to skin cancer.”
Basal cell carcinoma is more likely, occur in parts of the body most often exposed to the sun, including the face, neck and hands. However, symptoms can vary from person to person and depending on the type of skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a shiny bump that may be red, white or clear, black or brown in people with darker skin tones; an ulcer filled with fluid that oozes, crusts, or bleeds; a shiny or scaly area of skin that looks like scar tissue; or even one that has pigmented areas or dark spots that appear blue or gray and can be mistaken for melanoma.
Unlike other skin spots or ulcers, skin cancer doesn't heal, Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, told BuzzFeed News. “They may be itchy or painful, pink or brown,” she said. “Basal cell carcinoma is often light pink or clear in color and may bleed.”
If left untreated, there is a chance that basal cell carcinoma may spread to other areas of the body. However, the spread of this type of skin cancer is rare. Common treatment options include various types of surgery, such as curettage or curettage to remove the skin tumor. Rarely, people need radiation therapy or chemotherapy for basal cell cancer.
Importance of SPF
Since using sunscreen can reduce skin damage and skin cancer, finding one that protects your skin, even on non-sunny days, can be helpful in prevention.
“It's really important to practice sun safety every day, and I think it's often overlooked because people think it's only important on particularly sunny days and they'll spend a significant amount of time in the sun,” King said. “Some people think these products are unpleasant to use – they smell like coconuts or look like a white paste. The good news is that these days there are great, elegant products available that are very easy to integrate into your daily routine.”
FDA recommends use broad spectrum sunscreen With SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin.especially the nose, ears, neck, arms, legs and lips. The highest SPF is more than 50, protecting against ultraviolet radiation.
It is also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours after swimming or sweating, leaving it on the body for 30 minutes.
In addition, protective clothing sunglassesand staying in the shade can protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, as well refusal of solariums.
Skin cancer screening can save lives
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should get a full skin cancer screening at least once a year, and more often if you have risk factors.
If a suspicious lesion is found, the doctor can biopsy it in several ways:
“Skin cancer screenings absolutely save lives,” Geddes-Bruce said. “We often don't spend enough time studying our bodies and don't notice changing or suspicious spots. A board-certified dermatologist can do this for you and identify skin cancer or precancerous lesions early, while they are still easily treatable.”
In between skin cancer screenings, King recommends doing a monthly head-to-toe self-examination for any suspicious lesions.
“I recommend doing this completely naked, in front of a full-length mirror, with a hand mirror, in a room with good lighting,” King said. “It's extremely important to know your skin very well so you can recognize if there are new or changing spots on it. Some dermatologists recommend doing this on your birthday and every month on that day so you remember to check your birthday suit on your birthday.”
