Learn how to diagnose and prevent skin cancer symptoms. A study carried out by the National Cancer Institute (INCA) shows that the disease accounts for 30% of all tumors registered in Brazil.
According to the Ministry of Health, it is a type of cancer that is quite common in Brazil and worldwide. It hits people over 40 and usually hits people who have had excessive exposure to the sun. There are two types of most common cancer: Melanoma and non-melanoma.
What is Melanoma?
It originates in melanin-producing cells, responsible for producing the substance responsible for defining skin color and has a higher incidence in white adults.
Non-melanoma type cancer
It is the most common type diagnosed in Brazil. It represents the majority of tumor diagnoses in Brazil, because it is quite aggressive and can cause metastases in more severe cases. According to the latest edition of the Atlas of Cancer Mortality for the year 2019, it showed that in that year 2616 people died from the disease in the country.
What are the main symptoms?
The main symptoms of skin cancer are:
- Stains that cause bleeding
- Spots or moles that change size
- Sores that don’t heal for 4 weeks
What are the risk factors for the disease?
- People with a family history
- People with hereditary skin disease
Prolonged exposure to the sun
How does treatment and prevention work?
First, surgery is the most appropriate way to start treating the disease, where the lesion is removed. However, in cases where the disease is at an early stage, outpatient treatment can be performed, that is, without the need for hospitalization. On the other hand, in more complex cases, in addition to surgery, the use of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy is recommended.
Even so, one way to prevent the disease is to avoid exposure to the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. Which are the times that have the highest incidence of ultraviolet rays. If this is not possible, try to use sunscreen, or even use hats and umbrellas.
