Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin primary prevention
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2],Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [3]
Overview
Overview
Most cases of Squamous cell carcinoma are the result of exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet radiation. Primary prevention focuses primarily on protecting our self from these forms of radiation.
Primary Prevention
Primary Prevention
Squamous cell carcinoma can be prevented by taking the following precautions.
- Avoiding mid-day sunlight as UV rays are the most important reason in the causation of squamous cell carcinoma.
- Use of sun-screen that blocks both UVA and UVB and has a SPF of at least 15.[1] The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
- Wear protective clothing
- Avoid tanning beds
- Maintaining caution while using drugs that make skin more photosensitive. The list of such drugs includes several antibiotics, ibuprofen, high blood pressure medications etc.,
- Performing regular skin checkups
- Organ transplant recipients should be strongly encouraged to comply with sun protective measures, including the use of daily sunscreen.
References
References
- ↑ Green A, Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks GC, Gaffney P, Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A (August 1999). “Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial”. Lancet. 354 (9180): 723–9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2. PMID 10475183.
- ↑ Moon TE, Levine N, Cartmel B, Bangert JL, Rodney S, Dong Q, Peng YM, Alberts DS (November 1997). “Effect of retinol in preventing squamous cell skin cancer in moderate-risk subjects: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Southwest Skin Cancer Prevention Study Group”. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 6 (11): 949–56. PMID 9367069.
- ↑ Weinstock MA, Bingham SF, Digiovanna JJ, Rizzo AE, Marcolivio K, Hall R, Eilers D, Naylor M, Kirsner R, Kalivas J, Cole G, Vertrees JE (June 2012). “Tretinoin and the prevention of keratinocyte carcinoma (Basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin): a veterans affairs randomized chemoprevention trial”. J. Invest. Dermatol. 132 (6): 1583–90. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.483. PMID 22318383.
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