Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you know about skin cancer?
Try taking the following true-or-false quiz. You may be surprised at how much you know!
1. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the number one cancer in America.
True! The incidence of skin cancer continues to increase in America, and it is the number one cancer. However, most cancers are slow growing and treatable.
2. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer.
True! The first thing you can do to prevent skin cancer is to stay out of the sun. However, this can be difficult to do. If you can't stay out of the sun, wear long sleeves, and a hat with a brim. Use sunscreen on the parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun. You need a sunscreen at least SPF 15. Use hypoallergenic sunscreens on children, and keep infants less than six months out of the sun totally.
3. A severe sunburn before age 20 does not change your risk of skin cancer.
False! A severe sunburn that result in peeling, increases your risk of skin cancer as you age. Try to avoid sunburn, especially as a child or adolescent.
4. People in Arizona have the same risk for skin cancer as people in New York.
False! People who live in Arizona have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the United States. This is due to many more sunny days, and prolonged sun exposure. If you live in a sunny climate, make sure you use sunscreen every day. Teach your family to use sunscreen every day too.
5. Tanning booths are healthy.
False! Most tanning booths still have some ultraviolet ray exposure - this is what causes skin cancer. Check with your healthcare provider before using a tanning booth.
6. You can help in early detection of melanoma skin cancer.
True! Look for changes in your moles, or new moles appearing. Anything that looks irregular, has different color in it, or is growing or bleeding, needs to be seen immediately by a healthcare provider.
Sun Avoidance is the best defense against skin cancer.
The principal cause of skin cancer is almost universally accepted by medical experts to be overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and blistering. Other less important factors would include: repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure; scarring from diseases or burns; occupational exposure to such compounds as coal and arsenic, and family history.
Prevention is a matter of guarding the skin against the known causes. Since the sun and its ultraviolet rays would seem to be the main culprit, the most effective preventive method is sun avoidance. Limit the exposure of the skin to harmful rays by covering up and using sunscreens with at least 15 SPF rating.
CANCER INFORMATION
The American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer AnswerLine is available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, at (800) ACS 2345. The ACS AnswerLine can answer questions about cancer and cancer-related services in your community. They offer free publications about cancer, as well. Your local ACS has many free services. Their local offices are listed in the white pages of your telephone book.
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service at (800) 4-CANCER can answer questions about cancer. The NCI can also send you booklets. You can also write to the NCI at this address: National Cancer Institute, Office of Cancer Communications, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580.
Your health care plan, local hospital or regional cancer center are other sources for cancer information. Cancer Support groups: The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship provides information and resources on support and life after a cancer diagnosis. Call (301) 650-8868 or write to National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 300, Silver Springs, MD 20910. Your health care plan may cover individual and family counseling. If not, speak to the health care plan social worker about mental health resources in your community.
Many hospitals consider some form of group counseling a necessary part of cancer treatment. These groups are run by professionals. They help those faced with cancer explore their feelings. Some groups meet only during hospitalization, while others are long-term. Some groups are just for patients, while others include spouses, family members, and other special people. These groups also provide an opportunity to exchange treatment tips and hints, as well as give support and information to help patients, families and friends gain some control over their lives.
Faith is a source of strength for many people. Members of the clergy can provide comfort and solace. Some are trained to minister to those coping with life-threatening illnesses. Contact the faith community of your choice. The chaplain of your local hospital will be able to guide you to clergy who are experienced in supporting those after a cancer diagnosis.
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