Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Breast Cancer Patients Are at Higher Risk for Melanoma

(An article from the Skin Cancer Foundation www.skincancer.org)

Breast-CancerSkin Check-Ups and Self-Exams Are Critical

Breast cancer is in the news these days, and women with the disease should be aware that they have an increased risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In the US in 2010, there will be an estimated 29,260 new melanoma cases in women.

Genetics may play a role, since women with abnormalities in the BRCA2 gene for breast cancer susceptibility have more than two times the chance of developing melanoma than those without mutations in the gene.


Breast cancer patients and survivors are advised to:


Beware of photosensitivity.

Photosensitivity is an increased sensitivity or abnormal response of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning machines. People with photosensitivity are at increased risk of skin cancer. Photosensitivity can be caused by certain medical conditions and treatments, and breast cancer patients should find out if their treatments could make them photosensitive. If so advised by their physicians, breast cancer patients should be especially careful to seek shade between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun is most intense; wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses; and apply a sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) — people with photosensitivity should look for sunscreens with SPFs of 30+, and some combination of the UVA-screening ingredients avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.

Be screened.

The Foundation recommends that everyone undergo an annual full-body skin screening by a physician. Doctors may advise people at high risk of melanoma and other skin cancers to be screened more frequently.

Perform self exams.

Performed regularly (monthly is ideal), self-examination can aid in the early detection of skin cancer.

Because skin cancers can vary in appearance, it is important to be on the lookout for early warning signs. Melanomas, for instance, often resemble moles. Look especially for skin changes of any kind, and do not ignore a suspicious spot simply because it does not hurt.

Skin cancers may be painless but dangerous all the same. See a physician, preferably one who specializes in diseases of the skin, if you notice any of the warning signs.

Know the signs.

Be careful to take note of the following, when you perform a self exam. Click here to learn how to properly perform a self exam.

  • A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored.

  • A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that:

    • changes color

    • increases in size or thickness

    • changes in texture

    • is irregular in outline

    • is bigger than 6mm or 1/4”, the size of a pencil eraser

    • appears after age 21

  • A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed.

  • An open sore that does not heal within three weeks.

No comments:

Post a Comment