In December, the December Orange campaign is carried out, which promotes awareness of the skin cancer.
According to the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), skin cancer accounts for 33% of cancer cases in Brazil. Each year are recorded 185 thousand new cases, according to the National Cancer Institute (Inca).
The disease causes the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that are part of the skin. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Melanoma is less frequent and more lethal, with around 8,400 cases per year.
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Myths and facts about skin cancer
The dermatologist and coordinator of Dermatology Oncology at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, professor José Antônio Sanches, talks about what is myth and truth about skin cancer.
The more likely you are to develop skin cancer the lighter your skin is. According to José Antônio Sanches, skin that "rarely tans and always burns is more susceptible to damage caused to the DNA of skin cells due to sun exposure (ultraviolet rays)".
The occurrence of skin cancer is due to the accumulation of DNA damage, that is, the disease can be developed at any time of the year. The use of sunscreen is always recommended, even when the day is cloudy.
The interaction of sunscreen with radiation reduces the chance of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause damage that accumulates in cellular DNA. Sanches explains that the more damage, the greater the chance of mutations in the cells, and subsequently the process of cancerization.
There are many types of signs on human skin. Many of the moles are not susceptible to the development of skin cancer.
The incidence of ultraviolet rays occurs even in shady places. These rays are reflected by very bright floors, water, sand or snow.
As a physical barrier, the umbrella reduces the arrival of ultraviolet rays from the sun on the skin.
"It is important to emphasize that we must all adopt what we call photoprotection measures. These measures consist of sheltering from the sun, looking for shade from trees, buildings, umbrellas, wearing protective clothing and avoiding exposure to the sun during periods of high UV indexes (between 10 and 16 hours). These measures are complemented by the use of sunscreen."
José Antônio Sanches - Dermatologist
The development of skin cancer between men and women is identical, says the dermatologist.
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Any changes that occur in the skin should be shown to a dermatologist for a better evaluation.
Even with greater protection against sun damage, skin cancer can affect black people. According to Sanches, a greater predisposition for the development of melanoma is common in the soles of the feet and nail regions (regions where the skin and nail meet) in this population.
José Antônio explains that melasma is an anomalous pigmentation that occurs on skin exposed to the sun. In this case, it is not a pre-cancerous or cancerous proliferation of the skin, he says.
By Lucas Afonso
Journalist