What is skin cancer?
Skin cancers are malignant tumours that arise from skin tissue cells. They arise due to the growth of abnormal cells from the epidermis. These abnormal cells can have the ability to spread to other parts of the body. There are different types of cells in the skin tissue and abnormal growths of these cells can give rise to different types of skin cancers.
Types and symptoms of skin cancer
There are three main types of skin cancers alongside with their specific symptoms.
What are the causes of skin cancer?
The primary environmental cause of skin cancer is sun exposure.
Other causes include smoking, exposure to radiation such as x-rays and artificial UV rays (through overuse of tanning beds for instance), and the use of immunosuppressive medication such as cyclosporin A and azathioprine.
Genetic factors can also contribute to the risk of getting skin cancer, including congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome which results in the formation of nevi from birth that poses the risk of becoming cancerous.
What are the common types of skin cancer in Singapore?
Based on statistics from the Singapore Cancer Registry (Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore 2010-2014), about 1,719 men and 1,381 women are diagnosed with skin cancer each year.
The most common skin cancer in Singapore is basal-cell carcinoma, which is typically located on sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck region although they can also occur on covered areas such as the back. This prevalence is probably due to our location in the tropics and the habits of many Singaporeans to wear clothing that exposes more of their skin due to the high temperatures experienced here during the day.
Is there a cure for skin cancer and what are the treatment types?
Most skin cancer types can be cured by excision of the lesion with an adequate and clear margin.
Depending on the location and size of the lesion, more complex surgical procedures involving skin grafts may be needed sometimes. Certain types of skin cancers can also be treated using cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), curettage and electrosurgery, photodynamic therapy (which uses light and a photosensitising agent to kill cancer cells), and radiation therapy.
How to prevent skin cancer?
Use adequate sun protection as ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the most important risk factor. Sunscreen, the use of hats and umbrellas, and appropriate clothing for outdoor activities are essential.
Skin self-examination and awareness can also aid in the early detection of skin cancers.
Pay particular attention to irregularly shaped moles and moles that appear suddenly in adulthood, or those that bleed or change their shape over time.
Get a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB. The SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure of its ability to protect against UVB. We recommend something with an SPF of 30 or above. Protection against UVA is provided by ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, so look out for these.
Schedule a skin cancer screening today
Early detection of skin cancer can save lives. Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Enquire now for more information, or make an appointment today with our dermatologist.
