The incidence of skin cancer in Portugal is on the rise, and as the summer approaches, we need to step up care and protection, as the most common type of melanoma appears mainly on sun-exposed areas of the body.
According to DECO PROTESTE, the most common cancers are those that appear in the upper part of the epidermis, called squamous cell carcinoma, and those that reach deeper cells, called basal cell carcinoma.
Melanocytes, a type of cancer that develops in melanin-producing cells, are less common. However, they end up being much more aggressive and may even affect other organs.
Do you know how to take care of the sun? See list:
–shelter in the shade: During the hottest hours, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., stay in the shade if possible.
–Wear clothes as protection: There are fabrics that block UV rays, so choose long-lasting clothing, trousers, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
–Use sunscreen: Apply the product to the skin before leaving the house and select a protection factor of 30. Sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days, especially on exposed areas of the body such as face, hands, neck and ears. You should reapply a layer of sunscreen on your skin every two hours, especially if you are into water sports.
–Snow, water or sand: Don’t forget that these surfaces reflect the sun’s rays, so you should pay special attention to your skin.
–New moles or freckles: Pay attention to the appearance of moles or freckles, as well as spots or non-healing wounds.