Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer with Sun Protection, Caffeine, and Vitamin A

Text / Ellen Wang

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. In today’s deteriorating global environment, the incidence of skin cancer is also increasing in Taiwan.

Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. In addition to sun protection, studies have found that taking caffeine and vitamin A can also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Coffee may help reduce basal cell carcinoma risk. (123RF)

In the U.S., more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined, with more than 9,500 diagnosed every day and more than two people dying every hour, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. the disease. But melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has a 99 percent five-year survival rate if caught early. Therefore, prevention and early detection are crucial.

Common types and symptoms of skin cancer

According to the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, the three most common skin cancers are: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the above two are collectively referred to as non-melanoma, and melanoma.

1. Basal cell carcinoma: This is the most common malignant tumor of the skin, often occurring in the head and neck that is often exposed to sunlight (60-80%), and the nose is also the most common site (30%). It occurs more in men than women.

symptom:It presents as small pearly papules with ups and downs around the periphery, and the expansion of capillaries on the surface is clearly visible. When the tumor grows and expands, the center is ulcerated and scabbed.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma:This is the second most common skin malignancy. People with fair skin, low sun resistance and easy tanning have a higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma than the general population. It occurs more in men than women.

symptom:Erythema, small nodules, or ulcers appear in most cases and grow rapidly and are diffuse.

3. Melanoma:This is the third most common skin malignancy. This is a very dangerous type of skin cancer that spreads very quickly in its early stages. Caucasian women mostly develop the disease on the legs, while Caucasian men mainly develop the disease on the trunk, while Asians often have the disease on the soles of the feet, palms, nail beds or mucous membranes.

symptom:Rapid growth into hyperpigmentation or ulceration often occurs, and occasionally the pigmentation disappears.

Usually, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are treatable, but treatments are expensive and may leave scarring.

Melanoma is the deadliest. The average five-year survival rate for melanoma patients in the United States is 94%, and the five-year survival rate for patients with early detection of melanoma is 99%. Survival dropped to 71 percent when the disease reached the lymph nodes and 32 percent when the disease metastasized to distant organs. Therefore, early detection and treatment of melanoma is very important.

Use the “ABCDE” formula to help detect whether brown spots are skin cancer. (123RF)

detect skin cancer remember”ABCDE“Mantra

Most moles, brown spots, and growths on the skin are harmless, but not always. The following “ABCDE” formula can help detect skin cancer.

A: Asymmetry
Most melanomas are asymmetrical.

B: border
Melanoma borders are often uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.

C: color (color)
Benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, but melanomas can be various shades of brown, tan, or black.

D: size (diameter)
Skin cancers are often larger than 0.6 cm in diameter.

E: Evolving
Skin cancers tend to grow quickly, raising bumps over weeks to months.

If you have the above situations, you should ask your doctor for further confirmation or take a skin biopsy as soon as possible.

Who are the high-risk groups?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is mainly caused by ultraviolet rays (Ultraviolet). Although the skin needs to absorb ultraviolet rays to produce vitamin D and promote bone growth, exposure to the sun will make the skin red, hot and painful, and even cause cancerous cells. Anyone can get skin cancer, but people who:

1. Lighter skin tone.

2. Skin burns easily, freckles, becomes red or painful in the sun.

3. Blue or green eyes.

4. Blonde or red hair.

5. There are a lot of moles on the body.

6. Family history of skin cancer.

7. Personal history of skin cancer.

8. Older.

How can skin cancer be prevented?

Zheng Jie, Doctor of Surgery, University of Tokyo, Japan, said in an interview with The Epoch Times that it is very important to protect the skin and prevent skin cancer in daily life. The methods include:

1. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. When going out, you should bring sun protection equipment, wear sun protection outerwear, wear sunglasses, and apply sunscreen. It is recommended to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out, and reapply every 2 hours.

Carry sun protection gear, wear sun-resistant outerwear, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen when going outside. (123RF)

2. Stay away from harmful chemical carcinogens, such as asphalt, tar, arsenic, pesticides, etc.

3. Coffee can help reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma.

In 2012, researchers from Harvard Medical School published a study on “Cancer Research”. After analyzing the follow-up data of 112,000 people for more than 20 years, they found that women who drank more than 3 cups of caffeinated coffee a day , the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma was 21% lower than that of those who drank less than one cup per month; in the same situation, the risk was 10% lower for men.

4. Actively treat the primary disease. Those with precancerous lesions such as solar keratosis and xeroderma pigmentosa should be treated as soon as possible.

5. Watch your diet. Vegetables and fruits rich in beta-carotene (which can be converted into vitamin A in the body) and vitamins can help prevent skin cancer, such as: tomatoes, spinach, carrots, squash, bell peppers, lettuce, avocado, etc.

Vegetables and fruits rich in beta-carotene and vitamins can help prevent skin cancer. (123RF)

A 26-year follow-up survey of 125,000 people published in “JAMA Dermatology” in 2019 showed that increasing dietary intake of vitamin A and carotenoids was associated with a reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

But it is important to note that taking too much vitamin A supplements can be harmful, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, joint pain, and bone pain. The recommended intake of vitamin A is 900 micrograms per day for adult men and 700 micrograms per day for adult women. ◇