Skin Cancer and Redheads

And yes, redheads have a high risk of developing skin cancer due to skin damage IF they spend a lot of time in the sun. (see Skin Types)

** However, there ARE things you can do:

1) Anyone with red hair should follow some type of Sun Protection Tips to reduce skin sun damage.

Skin damage can also come from TANNING BEDS -- so NEVER use a tanning bed as new research shows they can be dangerous. According to a 2010 report in 'Lancet Oncology': The risk of melanoma (a deadly skin cancer) increases "75 percent when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30".... plus "consistent evidence" of a link to melanoma of the eye and declared tanning beds to be "carcinogenic to humans." The culprit is the ultraviolet light from the tanning beds and sun lamps (and sun) that the skin absorbs. (from article in 'Parade' 04/25/2010)

2) Use broad-spectrum sunscreens and sunblocks to protect skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. (Learn more about Ultraviolet Radiation.)
Lots of lotions to choose from now to make protection simple....so no excuse for not using sunscreens. Use it liberally (takes about 2 tablespoons to cover your entire body, depending on your body size of course!)

3) Perform regular skin self-exams on yourself and your redheaded family members. Do this monthly right after a shower or bath – go from head to toe, front to back!

• Check your scalp, ears, neck, and face. Use a mirror if necessary. Ask for help in those hard-to-see spots.
  
• In a mirror, check the whole front and back of your body. Don’t forget to look under your arms and the sides too. Also check your genital area and buttocks ‘spaces’...
  
• Upper extremities next. Don’t forget elbows and palms.
  
• Lower extremities next. Remember back of knees, feet, toes.

Why regularly? So you know what your skin looks like. Know what is normal for you.

You can even draw a little picture of your body and note any moles, growths, etc., that are there. (Kids would probably love this one.) Know where your moles and birthmarks are and what they feel and look like.

If anything changes or doesn’t seem normal, see a doctor immediately.

It's not even a bad idea to just schedule a yearly skin exam with your doctor.

NOTE:
It's not just 'older' people who get skin cancer!!
...At age 23, one of my redheads found a small bump on her back and it turned out to be a basal cell skin cancer. She had it removed and now does regular skin self-exams. She didn’t have an extensive sunbathing history but did apparently get enough sun to damage her fair skin. -- So, your age doesn't matter !!!

• A mole or skin bump that changes its texture, color, or size
• A sore or bump that does not heal or bleeds
• A new unusual spot or mole on your skin that looks different or itches, seems abnormal, regardless of size.
• Any skin spots that are larger than ¼ diameter (size of pencil eraser, or about 5-6 mm), although a mole of any size that looks odd should be checked.
• A spot with different skin shades (blue, tan, black, brown, white)
• A mole with borders that are uneven

PICTURED: On the left side from top to bottom are melanomas showing:

A = Asymmetry (Does half of the mole look different than the other?
B = Border (Border that is ragged, noteched, or uneven.
C = Color (Are there different colors or hues of brown, black, tan within it?)
D = Diameter (The size often increases. Melanomas tend to be bigger than ¼ inch (size of pencil eraser) but can be smaller.

The normal moles on the right side do not have abnormal characteristics (no asymmetry, even border, even color, no change in diameter).

(source: National Cancer Institute via Skin Cancer Foundation)

WHEN IN DOUBT (redheads especially), see the doctor! Better safe than sorry.

Precancer means a skin lesion or skin growth that can develop into cancer in a significant number of instances.

Actinic keratosis (AK), or solar keratosis, is the most common skin precancer. (Actinic keratoses is the plural term.)

They usually show up on the areas that get the most sun such as neck, shoulders, back of your hands and forearms, ears, lips, face, and bald spots on the scalp. There are almost always more than one, so look for groups.

AK is caused by too much time in the sun without sufficient sun protection. Skin sun damage is cumulative, meaning damage accumulates over the years. Your time in the sun adds up.

Chemicals and x-rays may cause skin cancer lesions as well, but the most common culprit is sun damage. Some experts feel sunning or tanning booths can be harmful to your skin as well and advise against them.

I’ve read that redheads (gingers) and blondes (plus people with gray or green eyes) have a high likelihood to develop AK precancers, BUT it depends on if they live long and are in the sun enough time for it to develop. Unfortunately, Caucasians with fairer skin have a higher risk than people with darker skin.

Most AKs are usually benign (not cancerous), but if they remain untreated they can evolve into carcinomas. They need to be watched and treated.

Actinic keratoses start out very small and feel rough. They usually grow slowly. They can be light tan or dark tan, red, pink, or your skin’s color. They can itch or be tender or even bleed.

The GOOD NEWS is that not all actinic keratoses turn into cancer and there are ways to treat them before they do. Yay!!

** TREATMENT FOR AK ** Treatment can include a combination of approaches such as freezing the lesion (cryotherapy), topical drug therapy, chemical destruction, removing it surgically, and others. Repeat treatment may be necessary.

Check with your dermatologist for options!....IF you have had significant sun damage or still spend time in the sun unprotected, AKs can return and/or develop skin cancer. Early detection can prevent these precancerous lesions from getting worse.

** 3 COMMON SKIN CANCERS **

1. Melanoma: Most serious. Usually fatal if not found early because spreads. Often undetected because appears harmless and without discomfort in early stages.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: 2nd most common after basal cell cancer. Caused by lot of exposure to the sun. Usually shows up on body parts that get most sun like lip, ear, hands and forearms, back, shoulders, face, neck, scalp.
3. Basal Cell Carcinoma: Most common. Caused by lot of exposure to the sun. Again, to parts exposed to sun like back, shoulders, ears, neck, scalp, face, etc…

Some of the above information was gleaned from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Skin Cancer.org, and Wikipedia.

PERSONAL NOTE: Are you or someone you know diagnosed with cancer?? --- I want to offer some HOPE:

We know from personal experience that the "HALLELUJAH DIET" works very well against cancer! My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer (right kidney removed) and metastases to both lungs, with no hope, no treatment available. He was sent home to die within several months.

BUT, he is STILL ALIVE today, both lungs are completely clear of tumors, and doing very well 3 years later.. HOW? --- all by merely changing what he ate, juicing vegetables, eating raw, and also reducing stress, getting lots of fresh air, sensible sunshine (for vitamin D), and lots of prayer.... We really are saying 'Hallelujah' because I'm not a widow, my husband is alive and well!

So, PLEASE check this out because we want to offer hope where there may be no hope. You can visit their website at www.hacres.com (or Google "Hallelujah Acres").... If you have questions, please go to my "Contact Me" page too.

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