The Sunscreen Error I Never Knew I Was Making—Until My Skin Cancer Diagnosis

If, like me, you were raised under the Australian sun, it’s likely you ended up with sunburnt while being a child or adolescent.

For certain individuals, the risks involved sunburn Some weren't as recognized, but others, including me, were so focused on achieving a tan that we disregarded our concerns.

Growing up very fair skinned In Australia, it meant I frequently ended up with sunburns.

The most severe incident happened during a school swimming carnival when I sat under the scorching sun all day long. This resulted in second-degree burns, leading me to spend the following week at home covered in ointments.

READ MORE: Influencer passes away instantly following the birth of their first child

Skip ahead to my teen years, where I'd spend my school lunch breaks generously applying coconut oil to chase after that perfect suntan.

By the time I reached my 30s, even though I had started being cautious about sun exposure, I began noticing the effects of past behavior, resulting in basal cell carcinomas (BCC) being excised from my scalp and face.

Afterward, I had skin cancers excised from my back and leg. A couple of years back, a significant BCC was taken out from my shoulder, necessitating both 10 internal and 10 external stitches. The previous year, a concerning bump was extracted from my leg; it turned out to be a keratoacanthoma – a rapidly developing type of skin cancer within the squamous cell carcinoma group.

Although I've been fortunate enough to avoid additional treatments or receiving a diagnosis of a far more severe melanoma, I'm now exceedingly cautious when it comes to exposing myself to sunlight.

I frequently use coverage and wear a hat along with sunscreen, and as a result, my face has remained largely unscathed.

READ MORE: Steph Claire Smith speaks out regarding her ADHD diagnosis.

It wasn’t until the previous week during my yearly skin examination that my physician discovered several cases of skin cancer on the region of my face located between my nose and upper lip.

Although these were detected promptly and will only necessitate ointment treatments, I was taken aback that this part of my facial region has fallen victim to skin cancer.

When I expressed my astonishment about this to my dermatologist, she informed me that this part of the face tends to sweat quite a bit. This explains why sunscreen often gets washed away and requires more frequent application.

However, honestly speaking, I haven't really considered using sunscreen in this particular area.

Associate Professor and Dermatologist Deshan Sebaratnam stated that approximately two-thirds of Australians will receive a skin cancer diagnosis by the time they reach retirement age.

For an everyday serving of , sign up for our newsletter below .

"As people live longer, skin cancer incidences are rising; however, we're also becoming more proficient at detecting these cancers earlier," he stated.

He mentioned that basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent form of skin cancer identified in Australia.

Although it can be quite aggressive, it seldom metastasizes to other areas within the body.

The second most prevalent type of skin cancer is cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, which rarely metastasizes but can pose treatment challenges, particularly when occurring on areas such as the scalp.

He mentioned that there are numerous other, less common types of skin cancer.

When considering the skin, it comprises skin cells, pigment cells, nerves, blood vessels, tissue, sweat glands, among others. Cancer can originate from any one of these components.

Certainly, the most lethal form of skin cancer is melanoma.

"Australia holds the title as the global epicenter for melanoma cases," stated Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam.

A melanoma diagnosis occurs for an Australian every 30 minutes, and an Australian succumbs to melanoma every six hours.

Sebaratnam stated that although the age-standardised incidence rate of melanoma has been rising, it has decreased among those under 40 years old. This decline can be attributed partly to initiatives like 'Slip Slop Slap', along with rules such as 'No hat, no play'.

He mentioned that migration was also a factor since "individuals with darker complexions have a lower likelihood of developing skin cancer compared to those with lighter skins."

Although he mentioned that millennials (individuals born from 1981 to 1996), who had been exposed to messages promoting sun safety since childhood, were developing fewer melanoma cases, those from previous generations—who came of age before the risks associated with sun exposure were widely understood—continued to see higher diagnosis rates.

He worries that rates might go up among Generation Z (born 1997-2012), who get their sun-protection tips from social media rather than healthcare professionals.

What are the proper times and methods for applying sunscreen?

Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam suggests using sunscreen at all times, particularly when the UV index reaches three or higher.

He suggested applying a liberal quantity about 20 minutes prior to heading outdoors.

For overall coverage of your entire body, aim for an amount similar to a shot glass. Ensure that your sunscreen has an SPF rating of 50+ and provides broad-spectrum protection.

The Associate Professor mentioned that although many individuals remember to apply sunscreen to their face, they frequently overlook certain areas or fail to reapply it sufficiently throughout the day.

He mentioned that people frequently recall the facial features but tend to overlook the eyes and neck.

The forehead poses another challenge as it frequently becomes sweaty and drips into your eyes, which makes many individuals reluctant to wear it altogether.

And when it comes to men, their receding hairline.

The proper method for applying sunscreen

According to Cancer Council, sunscreen should be applied to clean and dry skin, and then reapplied at least every two hours, even if it is water resistant.

"Activities like swimming, playing sports, perspiring heavily, and towelling off can diminish the efficacy of sun protection products; therefore, it’s recommended to reapply sunscreen following such actions," the statement reads.

The five guidelines for sun protection

Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam stated that the most effective method to protect oneself from skin cancer is by adhering to the guidelines encapsulated in Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide, commonly referred to as Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide.

"Wear long-sleeve shirts, apply sunscreen, put on a wide-brimmed hat, slip on some wrap-around sunglasses, and look for shade during peak sunlight hours," he stated.

If you notice a new mole or an existing one has changed, or if something concerns you, consult your general practitioner or a specialist dermatologist.

Skin cancer symptoms

Various types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), might present with different signs based on their kind. However, per information provided by the Cancer Council, these cancers could manifest as light-colored, pearl-like, pink, or reddish bumps, sores, crusty areas, or flaky sections of skin. These growths can cause itchiness or irritation, potentially leading to oozing or bleeding. Additionally, one common sign is a persistent wound that does not seem to recover over time.

They might be gentle or completely painless; and they could grow slowly or rapidly.

Melanomas frequently manifest as alterations in an existing mole concerning its color, dimensions, form, or height, or through signs like itchiness or bleeding. These growths can develop anywhere on the body, even on parts like the bottoms of the feet, within the nail beds, or internally in the eye.

Certain types of skin cancer might disseminate to various bodily areas. In the case of melanoma spreading like this, it’s referred to as metastatic melanoma, which has the potential to be fatal.

Skin cancer treatment

As stated by the Cancer Council, the treatment approach varies based on the specific type and intensity of the condition.

Non-invasive treatment options encompass topical applications (such as ointments), radiation therapy, cryotherapy (quick freezing), curettage (the process of scraping), or cautery (using heat to burn).

A lot of skin cancer cases require surgical excision together with the adjacent tissue.

The process of removing melanoma frequently includes taking out lymph nodes to examine them for signs of spreading.

Patients with advanced skin cancers might require additional treatments. Individuals diagnosed with melanoma are frequently referred to an oncologist for management of their care, which can involve therapies such as radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE Follow the newest updates in celebrities, lifestyle, and opinions through our WhatsApp channel. There will be no comments, no algorithms, and none of your personal information will be visible.

Berbagi :