I’m a 25-year-old woman and have always been concerned about skin cancer. I have lots of moles all over my body, and a friend of my mum’s died in her 40s of melanoma, so I feel as though my awareness of it is heightened somewhat.
I’m trying to understand the statistics you hear about sunburn and melanoma risk. I find the information very confusing, as a lot of it talks about an increased risk of “skin cancers” without specifying the type, although obviously this distinction does matter. A lot of information also mentions a heightened risk of melanoma specifically from “severe, blistering sunburn”, but doesn’t mention other less severe sunburn, i.e. slightly red skin that eases after a day. Basically, I’m wondering how worried I should be about this type of sunburn increasing melanoma risk specifically? Obviously the goal should be not to get any kind of sunburn, but we all make mistakes.
Any info much appreciated.
Written by
Onedge93
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Different wavelengths of UV light (energy) are related to different types of skin cancer and the risk of sun burn too, Which is why it is important to have UVA and UVB filters in sunscreen. Just blocking only the rays that cause burning can unwittingly mean people get more of the cancer-causing rays than they would otherwise do. Hence the alarmist "sun cream gives you skin cancer" headlines from time to time. Basal cell carcinoma is more commonly associated with long term exposure from UV (eg the elderly, bald, outdoor workers, etc). Malignant Melanoma (MM) is thought to be more associated with episodes of intense excess UV exposure: being sun burned, particularly as a child has a significant association with MM, partly because of age and partly because it implies a skin type that is fair. Having only a small amount of pigment in the skin significantly reduces the risk of MM (see the different rates of MM in Caucasian and Hispanic populations in Florida for example).
As you say all degrees of sunburn is a reflection of some amount of skin damage; blistering means much more damage than just erythema. As you are concerned about skin cancer it is a good idea to set aside a little time once a month to have a good look at your moles for any change (get larger, variation in pigmentation, irregular edge developing). Some women combine it with the time they do self-examination for breasts lumps. A monthly "health check"! Take a photo of any moles you think might be changing so you can compare next month. Ay concerns, attend a mole check clinic or your GP (with the phone in question)!
Finally UV damage of course contributes to skin ageing: something else to bear in mind.
Can understand your worry. To prevent a another melanoma from occurring again if I am bathing in the sea I have a black top and long lycra trousers which take the chill off the sea. I used to have some nice costumes but found an open neck led to some moles which had to come out as they would not heal. I wear long sleeve blouses and light trousers preferring he shade. I had a melanoma which came from an existing mole It took four years of checks till I had a mole scan. No one believed it was serious making quips about sebaceous warts but it was at sage 3. had it out, and have regular checks now but not exposing the skin to sunshine helps me. It was traumatic as |I could not ask for a scan so a pharmacist did one and was referred back to the GP with an appointment. Feel much better now. Hope you keep an eye out for skin lesions as there are other different ones which need checking too I ad a mass on my back but they have removed about twenty two so far. They are small but am pleased they have removed them. Take care.
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