Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC): Effective Prevention & Treatment

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), encompassing basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is the most common cancer globally. With early intervention and effective prevention, it is highly manageable.

In our ongoing #ACancerAWeek campaign, We’re focusing on NMSC prevention tips and exploring advanced treatment options for those diagnosed.

Prevention Strategies: Your First Line of Defense

1. Protect Your Skin Daily

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and reapply every 2 hours, especially when outdoors.
• Wear UV-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses for maximum defense.

2. Avoid Tanning Beds

• Artificial UV exposure from tanning beds significantly increases your cancer risk.

3. Stay Alert with Skin Checks

• Perform monthly self-exams to monitor any changes or new growths on your skin.
• Schedule annual dermatology visits for professional skin assessments.

4. Live Healthily

• Maintain a diet rich in antioxidants, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking to improve your skin’s resilience and overall health.

Treatment Options: Advanced Solutions for NMSC

Surgical Treatments:

• Mohs Surgery: Removes cancer layer by layer, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
• Cryotherapy: Freezes and eliminates cancerous cells effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

• Topical Chemotherapy: Medications like fluorouracil are effective for superficial cases.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Combines light-sensitive medication with specific light exposure to target cancer cells.

Advanced Therapies:

• For advanced cases, systemic therapies like vismodegib target tumor growth pathways when surgery isn’t feasible.

Take Action Today

Prevention and early detection are key to fighting NMSC. By adopting proactive habits and staying vigilant, you can reduce your risk and promote healthier skin.

As part of our #ACancerAWeek campaign, we encourage everyone to share this information, raise awareness, and inspire others to prioritize their skin health. Together, we can make a difference.

Click on link below to read our previous article on NMSC

(35) Understanding Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Types and Symptoms | LinkedIn

#SkinHealth #CancerAwareness #NMSC #ACancerAWeek

References

[1] https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-prevention-pdq

[2] https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/non-melanoma-skin-cancer

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/prevention/index.html

[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4954336/

[5] https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/

[6] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell.html

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519527/

[8] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15818-skin-cancer

[9] https://www.molecheck.com.au/patient-info/skin-cancer-prevention/