RAK Hospital to hold Free Skin Cancer Screening Camp
Informative Talk and full-body mole check by Specialist Dermatologists on May 31
Camp to raise awareness in the community about early detection, attendees to learn the ABCDEs of Self Skin Examination
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99% percent
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma
May 27, 2022; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: According to the World Health Organisation, cancer rates in the Middle East are expected to double by 2030. Globally, the month of May is observed as Skin Cancer Awareness Month so to create awareness about the subject, RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah is organizing a free ‘Skin Cancer Screening Camp’ for the community on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at their premises.
Leading dermatologists from the hospital will address and educate the attendees on the types of skin cancers, causes, prevention, early detection, self-examination techniques and treatment options. The educative session will be followed by a full-body mole check for the participants by the hospital’s specialist team.
Dr Amanjot Kaur, Specialist Dermatologist at RAK Hospital said, “Skin cancers are abnormal, uncontrolled growths of skin cells. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, with the most common being basal cell carcinoma. Unlike melanoma, it is rarely fatal but can lead to disfigurement. In predisposed individuals, however, any mole can transform into melanoma which is a dangerous type of skin cancer.”
The incidence of skin cancers has been increasing over the past decades. Currently, more than 5 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 200,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. Ozone layer depletion and inappropriate sun protection are 2 main culprits that predispose to skin cancers. It is estimated that a 10 per cent decrease in ozone levels will result in an additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancer cases. However, the good news is that both these factors are modifiable making skin cancers largely preventable.
When caught and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable. Talking about how to spot signs of skin cancer, Kaur suggested conducting monthly self-examinations by checking your skin head-to-toe and going for an annual dermatologist visit.
“When examining your skin for melanoma, you want to look for the warning signs, which are called the ABCDEs of melanoma. Attendees will get to learn the technique during the session for early detection, added Dr Iram Qazi, the Specialist Dermatologist at RAK Hospital.
Most skin cancers can be avoided if you follow these basic rules: Check your skin for changes regularly, report any skin changes to your dermatologist, GP or nurse promptly, always protect yourself from the sun and do not use sunlamps or sunbeds
“When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99% percent. The survival rate drops to 66% if the disease reaches the lymph nodes and 27% if it spreads to other organs. Therefore, early detection is key and awareness camps such as ours can go a long way in preventing the disease”, commented Dr Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, RAK Hospital.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. However, sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. Here’s how to protect yourself from the sun:
· Seek shade between 10 am – 2 pm
· Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat (covering the head, neck and ears), & sunglasses.
· Choose sunglasses with the ‘CE Mark’ and British Standard (BS EN 1836:1997) or a UV 400 label.
· Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to protect from UVB rays and UVA protection of 4 or 5 stars or UVA logo, to all exposed skin.
· Use extra caution near water (5% increase in radiation), snow (85% increase), & sand (17%), as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun.
· Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and/or vitamin supplements.
· Avoid tanning beds. UV light from sun & tanning beds can cause skin cancer & premature skin ageing. If you want a tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
· Protect children and encourage safe sun playtime and formulate good habits
To register yourself for the session, visit https://rakhospital.com