The Many Shades of Skin Cancer

This video is meant to spread awareness and educate people regarding the dangers of skin cancer. We decided the best way to introduce the topic is through use of a case study. By doing this it may make the video more applicable and relatable to the general audience. The case study involves a 24-year-old girl who would visit a tanning salon a few times a year. She was later diagnosed with having melanoma after discovering a strange mole on her back (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2016). In addition to being the most common form of skin cancer, melanoma is also the most dangerous. Skin cancer forms after the skin is exposed to UV radiation and cells acquire mutations and begin to grow out of control forming tumors (Whitmore, 2001). Basal cell carcinoma is another form of skin cancer that can be acquired by UV exposure (Karagas et al., 2002). It appears quite different than melanoma and can lead to severe disfigurements if not treated properly. The A, B, C, D, E’s of skin cancer aim to educate viewers on what to look out for in terms of detecting skin cancer (Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, 2012). This is an acronym for asymmetry, border (raised or notched), colour (non uniform colours), diameter (greater than 6mm), and evolving (change over time in shape, colour, or size). Those who are greatest risk for developing skin cancer are fair skinned people, immunocompromised, and people with a family history of skin cancer (Lazovich & Forster, 2005). We then jump into discussing misconceptions viewers may have regarding tanning and skin cancer. Some misconceptions are that base tans help protect from skin cancer, you can only get skin cancer if you burn, and that tanning beds are safer than sun exposure. These misconceptions are often used in advertising of tanning salons at it may attract and peruse customers to use their services. It is important to note that regardless of the source of UV radiation, it is damaging to skin cells and can increase people’s risk of developing skin cancer (Skin Cancer, 2016). To help minimize the risk of getting skin cancer it is important to cover up, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30, avoid tanning beds, and see your family physician or dermatologist if you see any concerning moles appear (Levine et al., 2005; Russak et al., 2010).

This video was made by Elise Granton, Roshni Patel, Nadine Islam, Omar Shawaf and Erin Harvey

Copyright McMaster University 2016

References

Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation. (2012). ABCDE’s of early detection. Retrieved from:

http://www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com/early-detection.html

Karagas, M. R., Stannard, V. A., Mott, L. A., Slattery, M. J., Spencer, S. K., & Weinstock, M. A.

(2002). Use of Tanning Devices and Risk of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(3), 224–226. http://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/94.3.224

Lazovich, D., & Forster, J. (2005). Indoor tanning by adolescents: prevalence, practices and

policies. European Journal of Cancer, 41(1), 20-27.

Levine, J. A., Sorace, M., Spencer, J., & Siegel, D. M. (2005). The indoor UV tanning industry: A review of skin cancer risk, health benefit claims, and regulation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 53(6), 1038–1044. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2005.07.066

Russak, J. E., Chen, T., Appa, Y., & Rigel, D. S. (2010). A comparison of sunburn protection of high–sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreens: SPF 85 sunscreen is significantly more protective than SPF 50. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 62(2), 348-349.

Skin Cancer. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.dermatology.ca/skin-hair-

nails/skin/skin-cancer/#!/skin-hair-nails/skin/skin-cancer/squamous-cell-skin-cancer/

Skin Cancer Foundation. (2016). Teen tanners: the new faces of melanoma. Retrieved from:

http://www.skincancer.org/true-stories/teen-tanners

Whitmore, S. E. (2001). Tanning salon exposure and molecular alterations. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 44(5), 775–780.