Skin cancer rates have been on the rise in recent years, but there are ways to stay protected. (Photo: GT/Li Hao)
Many fans' hearts were broken when Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who rose to fame for his iconic portrayal of the superhero Wolverine in the X-Men film series, announced he will be playing the superhero for one last time.
The media and fans have speculated that he made the decision because of concerns related to his skin cancer diagnosis, which has relapsed four times in the past 18 months, according to a Forbes' report this month.
Since his diagnosis in November 2013, Jackman has spoken out about the importance of using sun protection as well as getting regular checkups. The actor said he spent much of his childhood outdoors, but never was told to wear sunscreen.
Skin cancer rates are rising and it's attracting people's attention globally. According to the U.S. Skin Cancer Foundation's most recent statistics, 5 million people were treated for skin cancer last year, while in 2006, the figure was 2.2 million.
There are no widely released statistics showing the specifics on the rates in China, but cosmetic dermatologist Jiang Haiyan estimated that skin cancer rates have increased three to four times in China in the past decade, based on the growing number of patients she sees as the director of the plastic surgery department at PhiSkin Laser & Skin Clinic in Shanghai.
According to Jiang, there are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, which usually appears as a small, shiny bump on the skin; squamous cell carcinoma, which may appear as lesions or red scaly patches on the skin; and malignant melanoma, which usually appears as abnormal black moles. Malignant melanoma has the highest mortality rate of 40 percent, Jiang said, while all three are locally disfiguring if not treated early enough.
"You need to check every part of your body for [irregular] moles, freckles and other marks, and be alert to changes in the number, size and color of pigmented areas," Jiang said. "Surgery and laser treatment are the most common methods to treat the condition," Jiang added.
Jiang also said those who are suffering from skin infections or ulcers should get treatment immediately because long-time skin infections have the potential to lead to cancer down the road.
However, the main cause for skin cancer is unprotected sun exposure. "People who have suffered from sunburns before are also more prone to skin cancer," Jiang said.
Indoor tanning has long been popular in Western countries, but is also linked to skin cancer. Its risks were brought to the spotlight recently after 27-year-old Tawny Willoughby from the US posted photos on Facebook of her bleeding skin after getting skin cancer - Willoughby went indoor tanning for years as a teen.
A Forbes' report this month said that researchers have found that vitamin B3 can lower the risks of getting skin cancer. However, Jiang reminds people that protection from sunlight is still the most effective and convenient way to stay away from skin cancer.
When outside, prevent skin from discoloration and wrinkles by wearing protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants and a wide-brimmed hat when spending a long time in the sun, Jiang said.
"Remember to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher," Jiang said. "Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours and after swimming and sweating." She also suggested people use extra sunscreen when they're near water, snow or sand, which can reflect the sun's rays and increase the chances of sunburn.
