Steps to get the upper hand on skin cancer

Most of the 75,000 Canadians diagnosed with skin cancer every year do fine, thanks to a nearly 98 percent cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. And now more options are appearing for rare (but potentially deadly) melanomas too. Here's what you need to do to keep your skin safe.

If there’s something sus­picious on your skin, be pro­­active about getting it checked and, if necessary, removed. See a skin doctor (dermatologist) specializing in skin cancer if you can.

Neither is safe. A recent study found that people who used any type of tanning device have a 2.5 times greater risk for squamous cell cancer and a 1.5 times greater risk for basal cell cancer.

A diagnosis of skin cancer, especially a malignant melanoma, can be very frightening. Talk to your doctor. Look to friends, family and support groups. De-stress with exercise and yoga.

A study from the University of Michigan found many popular melanoma websites are simply wrong about diagnosis and treatment options.

If your melanoma is advan­ced signing up for a trial will give you a chance to benefit from new treatments.

Every month, use a mirror to examine all of your skin. Have someone check hard-to-see places. Call the doctor about alterations in lesion shape, colour or size. A recent study found that 57 percent of nearly 500 melanoma patients detected the cancer on their own.

Here are some treatments to consider:

• Surgery or other lesion-eliminating procedures (curettage and electrodes­­sication, Mohs surgery, cryo­surgery).
• Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy for skin cancers that have spread beyond the skin.
• Sun protection, regular skin exams and other lifestyle measures to help detect new problems early and prevent recurrences.

Basal cell carcinoma affects one of every six Canadians. These suggestions will help you effectively deal with the disease before it becomes life threatening.