Mole Patrol

According to the World Health Organisation, one in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer1. Skin cancers mainly affect Caucasians with fair skin, and are mainly caused by exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that reach the Earth together with sunlight. Ones risk of getting skin cancer may be reduced, and this is why the disease is currently being targeted by several preventive programs.

Skin cancer and skin types

Each persons skin is made up of tiny subunits called cells, some of which contain a pigment called melanin which, apart from giving the skin its colour, is responsible for reducing any damage done to the skin by sunlight. If the damage is too great for the defences of the skin to cope with, the cells will begin to grow abnormally, causing a cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which causes nearly 80% of deaths due to skin cancer although it makes up only 4% of all diagnosed cases of skin cancer2. Skin types are classified on the Fitzpatrick Scale which ranges from I to VI. The scale takes into consideration ones tendency to burn instead of tanning when exposed to sunlight, as well as the colour of ones skin, hair and eyes. A person classified as skin type I will have ivory white skin and green or pale blue eyes, and burns but does not tan in the sun. On the other hand, a person with type VI skin has dark brown or black skin and eyes, and tans but does not burn. Risk factors for melanoma may be innate (cannot be changed) or environmental (may be controlled). Innate risk factors include fair skin, moles, freckles and a family history of melanoma. Environmental risk factors mainly involve exposure to UV rays: if one is exposed intermittently to sunlight, or makes use of artificial tanning devices including sun-beds and tanning lamps, one increases the risk of developing melanoma.

Skin Examination
Common moles, also called nevi, are pink or brown, often round, patches of skin which are not larger than 5mm across. They are usually dome-shaped with a smooth surface and have clear edges. One may also have dysplastic nevi, which are unusual, large flat moles with indistinct edges and may have mixed shades of pink and brown. People with more than 50 common moles or with many dysplastic nevi have a greater chance of developing melanoma. Thus the one should check ones skin regularly for changes in moles using the ABCDE rule.
1 2

http://www.who.int/uv/faq/skincancer/en/index1.html accessed on 6th July 2013 http://www.dermatology.ucsf.edu/skincancer/professionals/types.aspx accessed on 6th July 2013

A. B. C. D. E.

Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other half Irregular border: ragged or blurred edges Uneven colour: mixed shades including brown and pink as well as red, grey or blue Diameter: increase in size to more than 6mm across Evolving: the mole has changed in texture (mole becomes hard or lumpy) and height.

One is advised to tell their doctor about any such changes in moles and if the mole begins to itch or bleed.

Recommendations
A number of recommendations have been issued to reduce ones chances of developing skin cancer. These include avoiding the sun between the hours of 11am and 4pm, wearing protective clothing (preferably with long sleeves) and using sunscreen with sun protection factor SPF of 15 or higher.