Awareness and Prevention: The Perfect Combination to Fight Skin Cancer from the Pharmacy

On the occasion of World Skin Cancer Day, the Official Colleges of Pharmacists (COF) from different parts of Spain reported on a number of initiatives that they are implementing to raise awareness and prevent this cancer. Thus, from COF Cordoba An information day was organized to raise awareness among citizens.
Cordoban people talk about skin cancer.

During the event, various pharmacists informed the population of Cordoba about the incidence and characteristics of this type of tumor. Similarly, they suggested decalogue of advice about good photoprotection from the sun, delivering informative diptychs and analysis using dermoanalyzers of the skin of people who came to the tent to check what skin phototype they have and what suitable photoprotector they have.

In addition, they indicated the main recommendations how to use photoprotectants, and clarify concerns about effective and safe sun exposure or the labeling of photoprotective products, and explain that some medications may interact with solar radiation.

Pharmacists as allies

“All pharmaceutical specialists belonging to different professional fields and competencies can contribute to the provision of adequate advice and medical care to citizens and patients with skin cancer,” emphasized COF President of Cordoba Rafael Casaño. In this case, he continues, “the figure of the community pharmacist takes on particular importance in the prevention and early detection of pathology, given its proximity and accessibility to pharmacies, offering accurate information and practical advice that are key in the fight against this type of cancer in the epidemiological expansion.”

Member of the Dermopharmacy College of Pharmacy of Cordoba, Elena Grande, pointed out that “the main risk factor for skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation and, for the most part, excessive sun exposure, so it is an avoidable factor that the entire community should be aware of.” “If we protected our skin well, the diagnosis rate for this tumor would be significantly reduced and survival rates would increase, which would also reduce the patient burden on the healthcare system,” he guarantees.

Tips for prevention and photoprotection

From my side, COF Valladolid recalled some important tips for the prevention of this pathology and photoprotection, as well as some warnings about the effects of pharmacology.

• There is indirect exposure, the percentage of solar radiation resulting from reflection from the ground (water, sand, asphalt and especially snow), so protection with hats or caps is not enough.
• Being in water does not mean that a person is protected from the sun, and the presence of clouds in the sky is not synonymous with solar protection, since an important percentage of total ultraviolet radiation passes through clouds. On cloudy days you will also have to protect yourself.
• Photoprotective creams need to be reapplied from time to time depending on various factors (exercise, sweating, swimming in water, product characteristics, etc.).
• The harmful effects of solar radiation are not only immediate (sunburn), but also cumulative, causing mutations in the genetic material that accumulate until cell viability is compromised.
• Particular care should be taken on the most sun-sensitive areas of the body: face, neck, head, shoulders, décolleté, ears, arms and insteps. Lip protection can be done using photoprotective pencils or sticks, and hair protection can be done with special products.
• The younger the person, the better the ability to repair DNA damage caused by the sun. But this ability is lost over time, which, together with cumulative sun exposure, will determine the progressive appearance of precancerous and malignant lesions in humans. Sun protection should be very effective in children (especially children).
• It is advisable to be aware of the UV index that occurs in a certain geographical area. It is a measure of radiation intensity on a scale of 1 to 11, so the higher the index, the greater the risk of sunburn, skin damage and ultimately death.
• Tanning lamps (including tanning beds) or the use of chemical tanning products are not considered safe methods.

ABCDE Rule for Checking Spots and Moles

The pharmacists of Valladolid remember that although melanoma is the tumor with the greatest increase in incidence in recent years, the associated mortality, which has also increased, has not increased in parallel with the incidence, “perhaps due to progress in increasing awareness of photoprotection.” and more effective early detection.” Also remember to keep an eye out for any suspicious mole that reappears or changes size, color or appearance.

“Moles most likely to be malignant are atypical or dysplastic moles, which present variations in criteria that can be considered warning signs, such as: asymmetry, a flat component (spot), irregular edges, color variations (including redness), or a size greater than six millimeters, they point out.

Pharmacological optimization

In addition, the COF of Valladolid wanted to point out that some active ingredients increase sensitivity to UV radiation (photosensitizing drugs) and that they can cause a wide variety of lesions: from mild allergic reactions to persistent pigmentation and even large burns on the skin of patients. patients who take them (systemically or locally), despite the use of sunscreens.

In such cases, exposure to solar radiation should be largely avoided and it may be advisable, whenever possible, to take medications at night to reduce their concentration on the skin during periods of maximum exposure.

Drugs photosensitizers They can sometimes be identified by a warning pictogram on the packaging, which, although not mandatory, is present on many of them. These medicines may contain, among other things, active ingredients that are so often used and distributed at the pharmacy it’s something like this:

• Antidepressants: amitriptyline or citalopram.
• Antihypertensives: enalapril, losartan or valsartan (especially in combination with hydrochlorothiazide).
• Antihistamines: cetiricin.
• Gastric antisecretors: omeprazole, pantoprazole or ranitidine.
• Diuretics: furosemide or torasemide.
• Lipid-lowering drugs: simvastatin or fenofibrate.
• Psycholeptics: alprazolam or clorazepate potassium.
• Antipsoriatic and anti-acne retinoids: acitretin or isotretinoin.

Speaking specifically about patients with skin cancer, the pharmacists of Valladolid also emphasize certain considerations, for example that after the initial or continued dispensation, and especially during long-term treatment, Adequate pharmacotherapeutic monitoring will mitigate the occurrence of negative outcomes and drug-related problems..

A campaign that touches the little ones

From COF Alava They have launched a campaign emphasizing the need for children to use maximum photoprotection. It has been proven that Between 50 and 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs between the ages of 18 and 21.. In addition, minors engage in much more outdoor activities than adults.

In addition, they emphasize that it is important to explain the risks of using solariums (especially among women) and offer alternatives such as self tanning, since during this period “darkness” is synonymous with beauty and health. Pharmacies also make specific recommendations for selling sunscreens that have an attractive cosmetic composition (feel, color, ease of application) and are suitable for your skin type.

feeding It also affects photoprotection, and adolescents often have insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables and fish, leading to deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It is therefore important to insist on the importance of a varied and balanced diet with recommended caloric intake, which will be the best guarantee of proper intake of recommended nutrients.

---

You may also like…