JAEN, June 13. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Alto Guadalquivir Hospital in Andújar (Jaén) organized an information table this Thursday morning in which two specialists from the hospital center offered information about the dangers of sun exposure and the risk of developing skin cancer. The awareness campaign coincides with the start of summer and the celebration of European Skin Cancer Prevention Day, taking on particular relevance as, according to the World Health Organization, cases of skin cancer are growing faster than any other type.
“It is estimated that a total of 20,392 new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in Spain in 2023, according to estimates from the Cancer Observatory of the Spanish Association Against Cancer,” Andújar Hospital managing director Lucrecia Sánchez Sánchez told Extreme. .
“Also, the Spanish Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists indicates that the number of detected cancers of this type has increased by about 40% in recent years. However, skin cancer is the most preventable cancer and, if detected and treated early, it has Therefore, it is important to take preventative measures such as avoiding intense sun exposure, protecting the skin and using sunscreen creams, and consulting a dermatologist in case of any or changes in order to detect them in time,” Sanchez added; Extreme.
Professionals have given advice on the importance of proper sun protection in both adults and children, and this should be reinforced during childhood as most skin conditions begin in adulthood but are mainly caused by exposures that occurred earlier. from the age of 18, since the skin has a memory and these damages accumulate.
Sun exposure is beneficial if done with caution because it helps produce vitamin D, which is essential for proper bone development. It also has a positive psychological effect as it feels good and improves your mood. However, solar radiation can also carry risks if precautions are not taken: skin burns, sunstroke, eye cataracts, blemishes and premature skin aging. But the most serious risk is the ability to promote the appearance of malignant skin tumors, both melanomas and non-melanomas.
Medical professionals insist on the need to monitor the development of moles and spots on our skin in order to monitor through self-examination the possible appearance of melanoma, a very aggressive malignant skin tumor that can quickly metastasize. In this sense, early detection is the key to diagnosis and survival. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the first signs, which are the appearance of brown or black spots and discoloration of the area in question.
Appropriate daily habits are necessary in all seasons, most often in the summer months, ensuring proper photoprotection from childhood; avoiding exposure to the sun, especially at midday; I stand in the shadows; Reducing exposure to direct sunlight by wearing clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen during outdoor activities; and in any case avoid using artificial tanning booths for cosmetic purposes.
To protect the skin from the sun, it is necessary to use appropriate protective creams with a protection factor of at least 30 and more than 50 for people with very sensitive skin or suffering from diseases aggravated by the sun. In addition, the protection must be applied correctly, to dry skin, in sufficient quantity, 30 minutes before exposure and frequently renewed, especially if it comes into contact with water.
At the Alto Guadalquivir Hospital, 8 new cases of melanoma were identified over the past year. Also, since the beginning of the year, more than 3,000 consultations and 122 surgical interventions have been carried out in the specialty “Dermatology”, of which 102 were “major outpatient surgery”.
The Andujar Hospital Center, like other hospitals in the Andalusian public health system, has introduced teleconsultations in dermatology, a useful tool that improves citizens’ access to this type of hospital care and ensures a faster resolution of suspicions.
In this procedure, the primary care physician sends images of suspicious lesions electronically, receives a response from the dermatology service of the Alto Guadalquivir Hospital and, depending on the specialist’s examination, an in-person appointment is scheduled or not. During these months of 2024, more than 3,000 consultations were carried out, almost half of them through teleconsultations.
SUMMER CARE
As every year, the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs suggests taking care of yourself during the summer. To do this, you can visit the Verano y Salud Andalucía 2024 website at https://www.veranoysaludandalucia.es/2024/.
In it you can find general tips regarding fever that will help combat the effects of heat on the body, regarding diet, how to sunbathe, cycling, precautions on the beach or in the mountains, accident rates, etc. Thus , it is recommended to avoid going outside and physical activity during the hottest hours, and also stay in the shade. It is advisable to wear light, loose clothing (eg cotton) in a light color and protect your head.
It is also recommended to close windows and curtains on facades exposed to the sun and keep them closed as long as the temperature outside is higher than inside. On the other hand, special attention should be paid to the elderly and children or patients with multiple pathologies, who are more susceptible to excess environmental heat and are at greater risk of dehydration.
It’s also a good idea to stay in the coolest rooms of the house and take several showers or baths to cool your body or dampen your clothes. It is important to drink plenty of fluids (water, juices…), even without thirst, try not to drink alcoholic beverages and not eat fruits and vegetables.
In summer, you also need to take extra care with food to avoid food poisoning. The reason is improper storage and handling of food due to high temperatures that promote the spread of viruses and bacteria. To do this, it is recommended to treat fresh food with extreme care, not to break the cold chain, properly organize food in the refrigerator and avoid products containing fresh eggs in case of excursions.
Likewise, sports activities are carried out during this time, often without sufficient protection from the heat, which can have consequences for our health. These effects include heat cramps, which are common in people who do intense and prolonged exercise, dehydration in people who sweat profusely and lose water and electrolytes, and heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke, which is very dangerous to health.