Common Misconceptions About Skin Cancer

What is Skin Cancer

The skin is a flexible outer covering that act as a barrier, protecting your body from harmful things in the outside world such as ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, moisture, germs, the cold, and toxic substances.

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the skin tissue. Typically, when old skin cells die, new cells are formed to replace them. With skin cancer, this system goes awry and does not work as it should. This could be due to factors such as exposure to UV light from the sun or family genetics. These cells may be non-cancerous (benign) or they could be cancerous.

Many kinds of skin cancer exist, with the most common skin cancer being basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC):

• Basal Cell Carcinoma forms in your basal cells, under the epidermis. It is the most common type of skin cancer and often appear as a raised, shiny raised area of skin and often appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, head, and neck.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma forms in your squamous cells, in the outer layer of your skin. It may present in various ways, it may appear as a red, scaly patch, a firm lump or a crusted sore. 
• Melanoma forms in the melanocyte cells, which are responsible for melanin production. This is the most serious type of skin cancer as it can spread to other areas of your body. It can appear as a new mole or a change in an existing one. Dermatologist Dr. Melissa Tan shares more about what to look out for here.

According to SingHealth, the incidence of melanoma skin cancer in Singapore is relatively low, with 0.5 cases per 100,000 persons. Non-melanoma skin cancer cases are more common, with it being the 6th most common cancer in males and the 7th most common cancer among females in Singapore.

Common Skin Cancer Misconceptions

Educating yourself on the ins and outs of skin cancer is one of the best things you can do for yourself in your fight against skin cancer. Unfortunately, there are several common misconceptions people still assume are true about the condition and ways to protect yourself against it. The sooner we debunk these misconceptions, the sooner you can start protecting your skin better.

Here are some common misconceptions about skin cancer as well as what is the actual truth.

Myth 1: Higher SPF sunscreen is able to completely block UV rays

Despite its number, high SPF sunscreens are, in fact, unable to completely block the sun’s UV rays. You are advised to choose a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 for any form of protection against the sun. While higher SPF does offer you a little extra protection, it is not a proportionate increase, and it’s not a perfect 100% block against UV rays. For example, SPF 30 is able to absorb 97% of the sun’s UV rays, SPF 50 is able to absorb 98% and SPF 100 absorbs 99% of UV rays.

If you decide to apply sunscreen, you are recommended to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against UVB and UVA rays with an SPF of 50 or greater, and reapply the sunscreen every two hours, as the sunscreen will sweat off over time.

Myth 2: Only sun exposure can cause skin cancer

While most non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, they may be caused by other factors too: - Family history - Past history of skin cancer - Increasing age - Certain skin conditions including solar keratosis and psoriasis treatment - Past radiation exposure from tanning beds or occupational equipment

Myth 3: You don’t need to wear sunscreen on cloudy days

Harmful UV rays are present year-round, even when it is cloudy, and can reach your skin and cause damage regardless of whether the sun is visible. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV rays can pass through clouds up to 80% of the time and snow can also reflect up to 80% of UV rays.

Myth 4: I’m not at risk for cancer as my routine has no outdoor activities

Minimising outdoor activities and UV exposure may help to lower your risk of skin cancer, but it does not eliminate it entirely. Cumulative brief sun exposures throughout the year, from going to a food centre to get something to eat or going to and fro work, can accumulate into significant damage to your skin. Everyday exposure to the sun is linked to squamous cell carcinoma. While your body is able to repair some damage to your skin cells, it is not able to repair all of it. These unrepaired damages build up and, over time, triggers mutation that causes skin cells to multiply uncontrollably.

Myth 5: Sunscreen is toxic and causes cancer

Sunscreen ingredients are strictly regulated and cosmetic products in Singapore must comply under the Health Products Act and its Health Products Regulations. Furthermore, according to the Melanoma Foundation, there are multiple scientific researches conducted on the use of sunscreen and a study by the Journal of Clinical Oncology, conducted on over 1,600 participants, showed that regular sunscreen use reduced the incidence of melanoma.

Treatment of Skin Cancer

If there are concerns of possible skin cancer, a dermatologist may remove some skin to test it for cancer. Treatment for skin cancer is not a one size fits all and will depend on various factors such as the type, stage, and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.

Treatments for skin cancer include:

• Surgery: This procedure involves surgically removing the cancerous tissue and surrounding healthy skin. A wide excision may be recommended, and nearby lymph nodes may be removed and biopsied to check for spread of the tumor.
• Mohs Surgery: This procedure is typically used for larger, difficult-to-treat skin cancers. It is also used in areas where it is necessary to conserve as much skin as possible. During the procedure, the skin growth is removed layer by layer, with the surgeon examining each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain.
• Radiation Therapy: This procedure uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells. It may be used when the cancer is unable to be completely removed during surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be prescribed to be applied on the skin. Systemic chemotherapy which is injected into the veins or taken orally can be used to treat cases of skin cancer that have spread to other parts of the body.
• Immunotherapy: This procedure uses medicine to help the patient’s immune system in finding and killing cancer cells.

By understanding the truth behind common skin cancer myths, you will be able to better protect yourself from harmful UV rays and maintain healthy skin. If you have concerns about choosing the right sunscreen or whether you are at risk of skin cancer, do consult a dermatologist.

Remember, sunscreen is just one of many steps you can take to stay safe from the sun. Be sure to seek shade where possible, wear protective clothing, and avoid being caught under the sun during intensely sunny days. You can consider bringing an umbrella or wear a hat if you have to. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.