The skin cancer screening week, which was to be held from May 11 to 15, has been suspended due to the health crisis. Why doctor still wants to remind you how essential screening is.
The skin is the largest organ we have. It is she who forms a barrier between our internal organs and the external environment, thus protecting us from injuries and solar radiation. However, it happens that she falls ill, especially when she is not well protected. Nearly 80,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in France.
There are 3 types:
– melanoma, which develops in 80% of cases from healthy skin and in 20% of cases from a mole. Known as the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma can grow and affect other organs quickly.
– Iand epithelial carcinoma (spinocellular) which accounts for 15% of skin cancers and can also spread to other parts of the body.
– and finally, the basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer (70% of cases) and the least aggressive.
5-year survival of melanoma
Detected early enough, epithelial and basal cell carcinomas can be treated well, with respective cure rates of 90% and 100%. If the therapeutic techniques of melanoma have been widely developed in recent years, early detection is nevertheless essential to increase the chances of survival of the patient since sOnly one patient in five survives more than five years from melanoma.
“ATPreviously, we had, in practice, barely 5% survival. Today, the response rate of immunotherapies is around 40% and lasts a long time. The response rate of the combined treatment is 70%, but can last less time, hence the importance of adapting the treatment well to the patient’s profile”specifies Doctor Hainaut of the University Hospital of Poitiers.
Protect yourself and be informed
The current health crisis and the suspension of skin cancer screening week should in no way prevent you from consulting a doctor if a spot or mole seems suspicious to you. Early detection of any skin cancer is essential.
This is why it is recommended to monitor your skin, especially if you have a personal or family history, or fair skin, as well as to observe your moles regularly. “All of a person’s moles look alike, so the one that’s ‘not like the others’ should get your attention.”, recalls theHealth Insurance.
Overexposure to UV radiation from the sun has contributed to the increase in cases of skin cancer in recent years, so avoiding UV sessions in the cabin and applying a good sunscreen are essential to protect against skin cancer.
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