Page 28 - Dainfern Precinct Living 2 2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

with a tendency to spread to the brain with sunscreen when swimming, D Diameter (larger than 6mm)
via the lymph nodes. Cutaneous as UV light penetrates water as E Elevation (becoming raised and
melanoma has the highest risk of well. Sunglasses are important for more prominent).
metastasising and, if left unchecked protecting the eyes too,” he cautions.
and untreated, will spread to the Any lesion that is crusted, not
lymph nodes nearest the affected “Turning 21 does not mean you are healing, ulcerating or continuously
lesion, mole or birthmark. out of the woods when it comes to sun bleeding should alert you to possible
damage,” adds Dr Pitamber. “Adults basal or squamous cell carcinoma.
“From there, it can affect multiple need to make the conscious effort of
organs as the cancer starts to spread applying sunblock daily, even if most of PREVENTION IS BETTER
through the body. It is for this reason the day is spent inside, as forming this THAN CURE
that we must try to diagnose skin habit can save your life. Reapplication Dr Pitamber recommends these
cancer as early on as possible, while of sunblock is necessary every two to precautions to help prevent skin
it is still only at the surface. The only three hours if you are out in the sun, cancer:
way to cure skin cancer is to cut it out for example in the garden or on the • Use sunscreen every day, after
– chemotherapy does not work for golf course,” says Dr Pitamber. moisturiser and before make-up, if
melanoma. There are some targeted you use it.
therapies and other modalities that “Finally, checking your body for • Choose a sunblock with at least
can be applied but once the cancer any unusual pigmented spots or a sun protection factor (SPF) of
has started to spread, an oncologist pointing out any changes you may 30, or a 50+ SPF depending on
needs to be consulted and further notice on your loved ones can be skin type. Look out for sunscreens
treatment will be advised on a case the first crucial step. There can bearing the CANSA Seal of
by case basis,” says Dr Tshabalala. be other conditions that mimic Recognition (CSOR). Reapply
melanoma, for example, and there liberally every two to three hours.
According to Dr Pitamber, it is during can be other reasons for unusual • Stay out of the sun between 10:00
one’s youth when the course for skin marks on the skin but it is best and 16:00.
health is set. As much as 80% of the to get these checked out quickly, • Wear a hat, protective clothing and
damage that will start to show up later particularly when it comes to moles sunglasses when you are outside.
in life is caused by sun-induced skin or birthmarks. A malignant melanoma
damage that occurred by or before needs to be addressed urgently to Dr Tshabalala adds that while the
the age of 18 - 21 years. This is why prevent spreading, as this can be life- reporting of skin cancer has improved,
parents are advised to take extreme threatening,” cautions Dr Pitamber. there is room for further improvement.
precautions in protecting the skin of “It is important for South Africans of
their children from an early age. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR all colours to be aware of just how at
Dr Tshabalala and Dr Pitamber risk we are in this very sunny climate.
“Sunblock needs to be applied suggest the ABCDE checklist below Precautions need to be taken at all
liberally on all areas of the body that for moles: times and any irregularities in the skin
are exposed to the sun including the A Asymmetry (one half different to must be checked. It is tragic when
hands, feet, neck and ears as these the other half) something that could so easily have
areas are often neglected. A hat B Border irregularities (scalloped or been stopped in its tracks is left to
with a wide brim protecting the back poorly defined edges) develop into cancer elsewhere in the
of the neck as well as the face is a C Colour (moles with more than one body,” she concludes. “Prevention is
must, and appropriate UV protective colour, or changes occurring in better than cure. Rather be safe than
1. Stay Home by Pedro Ninja
clothing should be worn together the colour) sorry.”
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DPL