Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light. These wavelengths move with higher frequency than our brains can perceive to create images. The wavelengths of UV light fall between that of visible light to the human eye and that of x-rays, which is 400 to 10 nanometers. The sun is a source of the entire spectrum of UV light, which is classified as UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-B is what causes sunburns and DNA damage to our skin. Damaged DNA gives rise to cancers.
July is UV safety awareness month. The impact that sun damage can do to the skin has made a new impression on me. Last week, my mom broke the news to me. She has skin cancer. My mom is a competitive swimmer like myself and can not get enough of swimming in the sunshine every summer. She loads her face, back, and arms with 70+ sunscreen with zinc. But exposure over time has taken its toll and this summer she developed a 0.5cm black crusty lesion on her right shoulder. She went to her dermatologist within 1-2 months of noticing it and has been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Next steps are a consultation with a surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon. Surgery within 6 weeks from diagnosis is “preferred”. During surgery, her lymph nodes will be checked and an incision 5-6” across her shoulder will be made. Due to the skin tension placed on the shoulder with range of motion, she may even need a skin graft. Her world is rocked. Last weekend, when we met at the pool, she was wearing a tight rash guard shirt.
Sunlight is healing and therapeutic, but it can also carry its own health risk. In this article, I will identify and describe the 3 main skin cancer types and make recommendations for when to seek care from a dermatologist or health care provider.
Three Key Skin Cancers
- Melanomas
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)