This isn’t the first time Jackman has reminded people to use sunscreen in an Instagram post. Jackman reveals he has basal cell carcinoma on his nose, adding, “Test yourself. AND USE sunscreen!!!”
In a similar way, Khloe Kardashian recently had two biopsies after noticing a small bump on her cheek that didn’t go away by wearing a bandage while it healed. However, unlike Jackman, Kardashian had a history of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. At 19, she was diagnosed and treated for melanoma on her back.
Around 80% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma.affecting close to 1 in 5 americans. This condition is easily treatable and less likely than other types of cancer to spread to other parts of the body.
We asked dermatologists about the early warning signs of basal cell carcinoma, risk factors, prevention and treatment, including the importance of using 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 from the sun is the biggest risk factor, especially in early childhood and adolescence.
“All this happened 25 years ago. It’s coming out now. Apply some sunscreen. You will still have an incredible time there. Fine. Please take care of yourself,” Jackman concluded 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.
Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, told BuzzFeed News that there is no such thing as a healthy tan, even if you don’t have sunburn.
“Sunburn is a defense mechanism that kicks in when the DNA of skin cells is damaged by ultraviolet radiation,” King said. “Both sunburn and sunburn are the result of DNA damage that can pave the way for skin cancer.”
Basal cell carcinoma most commonly occurs in parts of the body that are most frequently exposed to the sun, including face, neck and hands. However, symptoms can vary from person to person and 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 flaky patch of skin that looks like scar tissue or even one that has pigmented areas or dark patches that look blue or gray in color and could be mistaken for melanoma.
Unlike other skin blemishes or ulcers, skin cancer doesn’t heal, Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, told BuzzFeed News. “They can be itchy or painful, pink or brown,” she said. “Basal cell carcinoma often tends to be light pink or clear and may bleed.”
If left untreated, there is a chance that basal cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body. However, this type of skin cancer rarely spreads. Common treatment options include various types of surgery, such as curettage or scraping to remove a skin tumor. People rarely need radiation therapy or chemotherapy for basal cell carcinoma.
Importance of SPF
Since wearing sunscreen can reduce skin damage and skin cancer, finding a product that will protect your skin even on non-sunny days can be helpful for prevention.
“It’s very important to practice sun protection every day and I think this is often overlooked because people think it’s only important on particularly sunny days and they’ll be spending a significant amount of time in the sun,” King. said. “Some people think that the products are unpleasant to use – they will smell like coconuts or look like white paste. The good news is that there are great, sleek products available these days that are very easy to integrate into your daily routine.”
The FDA recommends using broad spectrum sunscreen with included SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skinespecially the nose, ears, neck, hands, feet and lips. The highest SPF over 50 protects against UV radiation.
It’s also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours after swimming or sweating, leaving it on for 30 minutes.
In addition, protective clothing Sunglassesand staying in the shade can protect against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, in addition to avoid tanning beds.
Skin cancer screening can save lives
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should get a full screening for skin cancer at least once a year, and more often if you have risk factors.
If a suspicious lesion is found, the doctor may perform a biopsy in several ways:
“Skin cancer screening absolutely saves lives,” Geddes-Bruce said. “We often do not spend enough time studying our body and do not notice a changing or suspicious spot. A certified dermatologist can do this for you and detect skin cancer or precancerous conditions early, while they are still easily treatable.”
In between skin cancer screenings, King recommends monthly head-to-toe self-exams for any suspicious lesions.
“I recommend doing it completely naked, in front of a full-length mirror, with a hand mirror in a well-lit area,” King said. “It is extremely important to know your skin very well so that you can recognize if there are spots that are new or changing. Some dermatologists recommend doing this on your birthday and every month on that day to help you remember to check your birthday suit on your birthday.”