Skin Cancer:

What You Should Know

Randy R. Weigel
University of Wyoming
Cooperative Extension Service

Skin Cancer
Most common cancer in US

Fastest increasing cancer in US

1,000,000 people had some for

of skin cancer in 2003

Skin Cancer
Three main types
-- basal-cell
-- squamous-cell
-- melanoma
The main difference between
melanomas and other skin cancers is
that melanoma can
metastasize (spread) to distant body
sites
including the lungs, liver or brain.

The Skin & Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma
*Seventh most common cancer in the
United States.
*One out of every 105 Americans born in
1991
will develop malignant melanoma
(compared to 1 out of 1,500 in 1935).
*The number of new cases of melanoma
has more

Melanoma (cont.)

Most common cancer in young adults age

25-29
Among women age 30-35, incidence is
exceeded only by breast cancer
Incidence increasing 4% annually, higher th
any other cancer
On average, one melanoma death in the U.
per hour

Melanoma (cont.)
Increase is the result of recreational sun
exposure, thinning of the ozone layer,
and
better detection.
In 2001, an estimated 48,000 new
cases
of melanoma occurred.
In 2003, 54,000 new cases occurred
In 2000, skin cancer claimed the lives
of

Top 8 Invasive Cancers

Wyoming and US, 1997
Wyoming
Prostrate
Breast
Lung
Colon
Bladder
Melanoma
Lymphoma
Rectal

United States
Prostrate
Breast
Lung
Colon
Lymphoma
Bladder
Melano
Rectal

Wyoming and Melanoma

72 people died from melanoma cancer
from 1992-1996.
Wyoming ranked 2nd in the U.S. for
melanoma deaths from 1992-1996.
Wyoming ranked 5th in the U.S. for
melanoma
deaths from 1996-2000
Which Wyoming counties had the
highest

ABCDs
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter

Asymmetry
One half does not
match
the other half.

Border irregularity

The edges are ragged,

notched,
or blurred.

Color
The pigmentation is not
uniform.
Shades of tan, brown, or
black are
present. A mottled
appearance.

Diameter
Greater than inch. Any
sudden
or continuing increase in
size is
of special concern.

Normal Mole

Malignant
Mole

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

UVA UVB - UVC

The sun radiates energy over a broad spectru

wavelengths. UV radiation, which has a short
wavelength than visible blue or violet light, is
responsible for sunburns and other health eff
Skin cancer
Cataracts
Suppression of the immune system
Premature aging of the skin

Sunburns

We found an increased risk of melan

related to the frequency of sunburns
during all periods of life. More than fi
sunburns doubled the melanoma risk,
irrespective of the time in life.

British Journal of Dermatology

(2001)

What Can You Do?

Increasing Awareness
-- that melanoma is serious
-- the importance of
prevention
-- self-exams
-- getting in and getting it
treated

Malignant
Mole

See Spot
See Spot Change
See Doctor.
Or, See Spot Kill!