Skin cancer and its symptoms: 30 mistakes that put you in danger

We love being brown and we want to enjoy the beach, the pool or the mountains to the fullest, having a beer on a terrace or eating paella outdoors. But … with caution! In Spain the incidence of skin cancer has grown by around 40% in recent years. Furthermore, the skin tumor that has increased the most is the most aggressive: melanoma. Forget what they say out there and keep in mind what does help you prevent it.

With the help of Constanza Bahillo, dermatologist and member of the Spanish Association of Dermatology and Venereology, we are going to banish the myths about sun protection to really know what it does and does not protect.

Remember that skin cancer is curable if detected early

The most common mistakes

1. It's cloudy, I don't cream. Bad idea. Although clouds do attenuate the effect of UV rays, they do not completely prevent it. The sun is capable of penetrating 40% of the clouds, so you could get burned even though the solar radiation is more diffuse. Therefore, the protection cream is still necessary. Take a tan without risks knowing which is the best sunscreen for your skin type.
2. We are on the beach until lunchtime. It's not advisable. Between 12 noon and 4 in the afternoon, solar radiation falls vertically, so UV rays reach the skin with great intensity. On the other hand, before noon and in the afternoon the incidence of the sun is lateral and the radiation is less harmful. Remember this simple rule: stay out of the sun if your shadow is shorter than your body height.
3. The same cream is valid for everyone. Not always … Only if you have the same color and skin type, the same age, spend the same time in the sun and do the same outdoor activities. Yes No No. Dark skin needs a different protection factor than light skin; oily skin, different formulations from dry ones; children, age-appropriate filters, etc.
4. I apply sunscreen when I get to the beach. Do it 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. In this way, the filters adhere better to the skin as they do not start working for half an hour. SPF 30 blocks 96.7% of UVB rays and SPF 50, 98.3%. From here on, even if you increase the SPF, the blocking of UVB radiation practically does not increase.
5. I put the cream on the most exposed areas. And in the less exposed you should also do it. Wrists, knees, the instep of the feet, elbows … even more hidden areas such as the inside of the toes or the armpits (if you like to lie on your back and raise your arms). All these parts of the body are the great forgotten when it comes to distributing the sunscreen, with uncomfortable and painful consequences. You only need 3 minutes to apply the protector well all over.
6. I forget about the scalp. As incredible as it is true. The scalp burns just like the rest of the skin on your body. If you have thick hair it is more complicated, but if you have thinner hair, pay due attention to it. Fortunately on the market you can find a large number of hair protectors that protect the cuticle of your hair as well as the scalp. If you have a very marked line, insist on that area.
7. The sun does not penetrate clothing. If it does. It is true that clothing protects from the sun but … it does not do it 100%, so do not trust yourself. Experts recommend wearing long t-shirts and pants and even better if they are in dark colors and synthetic fibers. The wider and lighter the clothing, the more likely it is that rays will seep through, especially if it is cotton or linen.
8. A thin layer is sufficient. If you get a lot of sun exposure and the sunscreen lasts for several weeks, you are doing something wrong. As a reference, think that an adult of average height requires 30 ml of sunscreen for the whole body and in each application. This means that a 150 ml container has to serve you only for 5 applications.
9. The umbrella protects me. Under the parasol, your skin can also suffer damage from the sun because up to 35% of the solar radiation can filter through. Furthermore, both water and sand produce an equally damaging mirror effect. Don't be fooled by the wind either: even if you're cool, the sun burns the same.
10. When I get out of the water, I don't dry myself… Do you think that this way you get more tan? What you actually do is increase your risk of getting a burn. The drops of water create a magnifying glass effect that favors burns and makes the creams lose their effectiveness. The ideal thing to do when getting out of the water is to take a shower –if there is one– to remove chlorine or salt, dry yourself well and reapply the protective cream.
11. With cream, 100% protected. Moderate yourself is what protects you the most. Factor 50 sunscreens protect against burns but do not prevent solar radiation from penetrating your skin and can alter your DNA, which can lead to skin cancer over time. The best, moderate sun exposure, avoid the middle hours of the day and reapply the cream frequently.
12. I use the sunscreen that I had left over from last year. Do you have half a container left and are you sad to throw it away? Think about the health of your skin. Like the rest of cosmetics, they have an expiration date. Once opened, chemical filters lose their effectiveness, especially if they have been exposed to sunlight and heat. Exception: you can use it as long as the container is unopened, has not been subjected to high temperatures and the expiration date allows it.
13. I prepare my skin in the cabin. Avoid it. The level of UVA radiation that we can receive in a tanning bed can be up to 10 times higher than on a sunny day in the Mediterranean. The Spanish Association Against Cancer advises not to use these machines, especially if your skin is fair, freckled or has ever been burned.
14. When I sunbathe, my skin itches. Consult with your dermatologist. Solar rash is a very common allergy and usually appears in the form of redness accompanied by itching up to 12 hours after sunbathing. If this happens to you, you should avoid exposing yourself to the sun and consult a dermatologist, who can advise you on a preventive treatment (phototherapy and nutricosmetics).
15. One cream is enough. At least two. One for the skin and one for the body. In the case of the face, if you have acne or rosacea, your sunscreen should be adapted to these circumstances. Remember that both your lips and your ears, your cleavage and your head also need protection. And don't forget the solar cocoa for the lips.
16. If a mole grows it is normal. Not even dreaming about it! Don't overlook it. If you have detected that a mole on your body has started to grow, it may be a first sign of skin cancer. It is best that you go to your doctor so that he will check your skin.
17. Brunette at last, I don't burn anymore! Be careful, keep your guard up! Tanning occurs thanks to the formation of a dark pigment in the skin called melanin. But melanin is insufficient to cope with the amount of radiation we receive in summer and, therefore, we continue to need extra sun protection.
18. Nutricosmetics already protects me. It is a complement. Nutricosmetics can prepare the skin for tanning and reduce the risk of skin eruptions, but in no case does it replace the use of a sunscreen because it does not have a barrier function.
19. With full screen I do not burn. Yes you can get burned. The total screen does not exist. A sun product, no matter how high its SPF, cannot prevent some UV radiation from reaching the skin. Also, using a cream with high protection does not save you from having to reapply it frequently and avoid spending too many hours in the sun.
20. With an SPF 15 I have enough. Experts recommend not using less than 30 even if you are already tanned. In addition, they advise opting for biological photoprotectors, which in addition to protecting, repair the damage of UVA rays. If you don't have it, apply a cream with a high concentration of vitamin C and a protector 50.
21. Burning is not dangerous. It can be. In medicine two and two are not four and each body is a world. Having multiple sunburns in a summer doesn't necessarily lead to skin cancer, but it does increase your chances of getting it. Better to take precautions.
22. I don't protect myself from the sun because it improves acne. The sun reduces sebaceous secretion, so acne improves. But after a few weeks it reappears. The "rebound effect" is due to the fact that the sun also stimulates keratinization (increases the thickness of the horny layer) to protect the skin from solar radiation. Dead cells clog pores and acne worsens. Moderate sun exposure. If you have acne, avoid direct sunbathing and always use non-comedogenic sunscreen.
23. I only protect myself by going to the beach. Watch out! The sun's rays reach you at many other times of the day: when you go outside for anything you are already exposed to radiation and, therefore, you must be protected from the effects of the sun.
24. Still pregnant I sunbathe. Make a change. At this stage, your skin is much more sensitive and the sun could intensify the skin blemishes that may appear due to the hormonal change you are experiencing. To avoid this, use an SPF of 50 and possibly be without PABA, a substance that is currently not recommended.
25. The texture doesn't matter. Wasn't it the size? Jokes aside, textures matter because they need to suit your skin type. If it is normal or dry, opt for a creamy cream, which has greater penetration and fixation and less need for reapplication. If you have oily skin, go for light formulas like gel. Find out here which is the best sunscreen for your skin type.
26. Water proof and resistant, the same? No, it is not the same. Both speak of the product's resistance to water. The difference is in the minutes. If it is "water resistant" or "water resistant", it means that the sunscreen lasts on your skin for up to 40 min in water. The "water proof", "extra resistant" or "waterproof" are maintained up to 80 min while you bathe.
27. The self tanner is enough. No kidding! These creams do not protect you from the sun. The color they give you is completely artificial. But it is that the natural color of tanned skin does not mean that you are safe from the negative effects of the sun. So make no mistake, even if you look dark, either from the self-tanner or from being in the sun, you still need sun protection.
28. I wax and go sunbathing. Do not do it. If you expose yourself to the sun after waxing, hyperpigmentation and inflammation may occur. Therefore, experts recommend waiting a few hours. In the case of wax, it can be up to 48, and if it is laser, more (whatever the professional who applies it recommends).
29. The sun in the city is less dangerous. You think you don't need to protect yourself because "I'm only going to be out for 15 minutes" or because "the buildings cover me." However, the floor, the walls of the buildings and the shop windows reflect the sun and the radiation reaches your skin. Our advice is to protect yourself all year round. Radiation is dangerous at any time and place.
30. The sun is the same here and in the Caribbean. It is not. The sun does not affect all parts of the world equally, it depends a lot on how close it is to the Earth. In the Caribbean it is closer and, in addition, the white color of the Caribbean sand and the turquoise of its waters have a mirror effect that multiplies the possibility of suffering burns.

How to prevent skin cancer

To prevent skin cancer, the first thing you have to know is what your phototype is and according to various studies it is something that 65% of Spaniards do not know. The phototype is an indicator that tells you how your skin reacts to the sun. With this simple guide it will be easy for you to know which one is yours:

• Phototype I always burns and never tans. She has milky white skin, blue eyes, blond or red hair, and freckles all year round. You should not stay in the sun for more than 10 minutes. When choosing sun protection: better not to expose yourself to the sun, but if you take it, let it be with a sunscreen +50.
• Phototype II almost always burns and sometimes tans. He is probably pinkish-white, freckles in summer, has light-colored eyes, and blonde or light brown hair. Your exposure limit is 15 minutes. To protect you: at least a 50 filter.
• Phototype III sometimes burns and usually tans. Skin that is not exposed to the sun is white, but it is not difficult to acquire color. It can stay in the sun for up to 30 minutes. Your sunscreen: between 25 and 30.
• Phototype IV seldom burns and always tans. Her skin is always brown and her hair and eyes are dark. Your limit is 45 minutes.
• Phototype V is genetically pigmented, so it is already somewhat dark. It is very common in Native American, Asian, and Mediterranean populations. Advice for choosing a sunscreen: between 15 and 20.
• Phototype VI has black skin and can spend an hour or more in the sun without danger of burning. Your sunscreen: no protection except if it is exposed for more than one hour.

Explore the skin

Skin cancer can be cured if caught early. It is also a visible cancer. You just have to self-scan regularly to detect any changes. Another option is to take photos of all the skin on the body and thus be able to assess whether changes have occurred. Keep in mind that only 60% of melanomas appear in visible areas. So do not forget to check the scalp with the help of a hairdryer, and with that of a mirror or another person, the nape, behind the ears, under the breasts, armpits, inguinal region, buttocks, the genitals and the soles of the feet. And if you notice something, go to the doctor. Skin cancer does not heal itself, nor does it go away. If nothing is done it can lead to serious health problems, including death, in the case of melanomas.

Symptoms of skin cancer

Mirror in hand, explore your skin. See if you have a new mole or one of the ones you already have changes in color, size or shape, or there is a lesion that does not heal. Do it once a month and see your doctor if you notice that any of your moles change. To do this, look at:

• "A" for asymmetry: half of a mole does not look like the other.
• Edges "B": Watch out if the edges are uneven.
• Color "C": if on one side it is much darker than on the other you should be suspicious.
• "D" in diameter: go to the dermatologist if the stain exceeds 6 millimeters.
• "E" for evolution: also consult the specialist for any other strange changes.

When in doubt, go to the dermatologist. Better safe than sorry

Freckle, mole or skin cancer?

Freckles, moles and blemishes in general can give you clues about the health of your skin. We give you the keys to learn to analyze them and to prevent problems such as skin cancer. Think positive to start with because most spots are benign. However, it can always be that a malignant one appears and that is why it is essential that you be attentive and know how to distinguish them. We help you to differentiate them:

Small, flat spot

• How is it? It can be brown or reddish. With sun exposure it varies. It appears in parts very exposed to the sun: face, neckline and forearms.
• What can be? It's a freckle. It is normal for new ones to appear with sun exposure. You are born with them, with a propensity to have them, or they are already “programmed” and will appear throughout life.
• Could it be a bad thing? Cancer from a mole is much more likely than from a freckle. What can happen is that you mistake a freckle for another cancerous spot.
• What can you do? Be suspicious of all lesions, even if they look like freckles if they grow fast, itch, are asymmetrical, have irregular edges or have unusual colors.

Spot bigger than a freckle

• How is it? It may have relief. Brown or black. With sun exposure it does not change. It appears anywhere on the body.
• What can be? It is a mole. Having more or less moles is an inherited trend and that is why there are people who have many and others who do not.
• Could it be a bad thing? A mole can turn into melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It is the least common, but also the most deadly.
• What can you do? Get familiar with your moles. As soon as you notice any change, go to the doctor. New moles appear not usual. If you detect it, ask for a visit to make sure.

Large spot (1 to 3 cm)

• How is it? Large spots (1 to 3 cm), flat and light or dark brown. The edges are well defined. They often appear in areas exposed to the sun such as hands, face, shoulders.
• What can be? They are sun spots or solar lentigos, also called age spots. Result of continued damage from sunlight. Very common after 40 years.
• Could it be a bad thing? They are benign and without more repercussion than aesthetics. But it should not be confused with a lentigo maligna, which has a darker color, less homogeneous, and with irregular and less precise edges.
• What can you do? Having lentigines increases your risk of developing melanoma. If you see any changes, check. If they bother you for aesthetics, there are treatments to whiten them.

Stain with relief

• How is it? A raised lesion, light or dark brown in color and scratchy to the touch. Scratching it fragments.
• What can be? It is a seborrheic keratosis. Most of the pigmented lesions that appear after 40 years are of this type.
• Could it be a bad thing? Any lesion that appears should be consulted with a dermatologist because it could be mistaken for a melanoma. Keratoses do not require monitoring. They do not become malignant.
• What can you do? The first seborrheic keratoses may require consultation with a specialist. But once we become familiar with their appearance they will be easy to recognize.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

• How is it? Before becoming malignant, it is a raised lesion that tends to peel off. Then, its appearance is that of a hard, fixed and thickened plaque, which can appear alone or accompanied by other similar plaques. It can be itchy and bleed.
• What can be? These are non-melanoma carcinomas that appear on the face, neck, and also on the arms and legs.
• Could it be a bad thing? Do not be alarmed. Although it was a non-melanoma carcinoma, it is a type of cancer that does not usually spread.
• What can you do? The important thing is to go to the dermatologist at the first sign.
• What will they do to you? The diagnosis is visual and the biopsy allows us to ensure it. The lesion is usually removed surgically, although it is sometimes removed by radiation therapy.

Melanoma

• How is it? It resembles a mole, but it is asymmetrical, has irregular edges, is reddish, whitish or bluish-like on a black background, and is usually greater than 6 mm in diameter.
• What can be? Melanoma. Although a dermatologist is the one who must confirm it.
• What can you do? Don't be alarmed, but see a dermatologist without delay as this is the most aggressive skin cancer.
• What will they do to you? To ensure the diagnosis, they will do a biopsy, that is, they will remove part of the lesion for analysis. Further treatment involves removal of the melanoma. If the surgeon sees fit, they can also remove certain nodes. If there have been metastases, the intervention may be greater and chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be indicated.