However, this idea is not advisable because any dose of UVA that your skin receives, far from protecting or preparing it, reinforces the path to melanoma or carcinoma. Tanning, far from being a sign of health, is a sign of skin suffering. The skin, when exposed to the sun, feels attacked and therefore becomes pigmented. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

UVA rays have a high oxidative power, penetrating deep into the dermis, which in the long term has repercussions on the development of cancer. As for the damage they can cause, it makes no difference whether these rays come from the sun or from a machine that produces them.

Since 2009, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) belonging to the WHO considers UV lamps (as well as solar radiation) a group 1 carcinogen. Belonging to this group means that their involvement in the development of a particular type of cancer (in this case, skin cancer) is clearly established scientifically and therefore the WHO advises against their contact with the skin.

But what do we know so far about the influence of UVA rays on skin cancer? Here is what science has shown about the different types of skin cancer.

UVA radiation and melanoma

It has been statistically proven that there is a higher risk of developing melanoma in those people with previous use of UVA lamps. Although the more sessions, the higher the risk, it has been shown that there is a significant increase in the probability of developing melanoma from 10 sessions in a lifetime. Researchers calculated that for each extra session per year, the risk increases by 1.8%.

In addition, in a paper recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, it was observed that people who have taken UVA rays are more likely to develop more than one melanoma (in some cases, up to 4) in a lifetime.

UVA radiation and non-melanoma skin cancer

Although there are fewer studies focusing on these cancers (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) and their relationship to UV light, the available evidence supports that there is an increased risk in both cases. Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer attributable to UVA rays are considered to be comparable to those of lung cancer caused by tobacco.

In conclusion…

The scientific publications available so far establish that there is a clear relationship between the use of UVA rays/sunbeds and the appearance of the most frequent types of skin cancer. Spain prohibits their use in children under 18 years of age, but despite all the evidence I have shared with you, they are still available for the rest of the population.

I hope, with this article, I have contributed to make you think twice before using a tanning salon next time.

Have you ever used sunbeds?

The post Sunbeds cause skin cancer first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in humans.

It usually appears after the age of 50, although in people with very fair skin it may appear earlier. Fortunately, this type of tumor grows in a localized form (i.e. only on the skin and it is extremely rare for it to metastasize) so it is not usually life-threatening. In any case, it must be treated and controlled, otherwise it grows and grows causing ulcers in the area where it appears, which can be very painful.

But do you know what basal cell carcinoma looks like? Well, there are several types of basal cell carcinoma that can resemble moles, scars or warts. For example, the woman in the photo has several bumps on her nose, but only one is a basal cell carcinoma.

What characteristics are important to CONSULT A DERMATOLOGIST?

• It is a lump or a wound that bleeds and does not heal.
• Although slow, it grows continuously
• It has a shiny surface
• It is in an area where we have been exposed to the sun throughout our lives.

Apart from these more or less common characteristics, basal cell carcinomas can have other very varied features that I will illustrate below:

1. A basal cell carcinoma can be SMALL or LARGE.

Basal cell carcinomas begin as small granules of a few millimeters and over the course of months (or years) become larger.

2. A basal cell carcinoma can be DARK or LIGHT.

Basal cell carcinomas are most often skin-colored, but it is not uncommon for them to have some brown areas or even to be black.

The three bumps that the person in the image has correspond to basal cell carcinomas. As you can see, they are different in color and appearance.

3. A basal cell carcinoma can be FLAT or BUMPY.

The volume of basal cell carcinoma can be very different. There are so-called “nodular” forms and so-called “superficial” forms that usually appear on the chest or back.

4. A basal cell carcinoma may have a WOUND or SCAR appearance.

It is possible for basal cell carcinomas to ulcerate and thus take on the appearance of a wound (which usually does not heal on its own). It is more frequent in large ones, but we can also see some erosions in small ones.

On the other hand, there is a type of basal cell carcinoma, called sclerodermiform, which is very similar to a scar. The peculiarity is that in the area the sufferer does not remember any previous trauma and it tends to grow over time (which does not occur with scars).

In summary…

Basal cell carcinoma is a tumor that grows slowly, but it is important to detect. It can have a very varied appearance, so it is advisable to consult a dermatologist if a wound or lump grows, especially if its surface is shiny or bleeds.

The post Basal cell carcinoma: 4 features of the most common skin cancer first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.