5 truths every Brazilian must know

With the arrival of summer, sun exposure increases – and also raises awareness of skin cancer, the most common type of tumor in Brazil. According to the Brazilian Society of Dermatologythe disease represents approximately 30% of all cancer diagnoses in the countrywith more than 220 thousand new cases per year.

Recognizing the early signs, understanding the risk factors and adopting protective measures make all the difference. Then see five important facts about skin cancer that every Brazilian should know.

There are two main types of skin cancer

Skin cancer is divided into melanoma And other than melanoma.

THE other than melanoma is the most common and includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. When identified early on, it has high chance of recovery, greater than 90%.

Already the melanoma It is less common, but more aggressive, with a higher metastatic risk. Any new moles or changes to old lesions should be examined by a dermatologist.

The ABCDE rule helps identify suspicious signals

A simple way to observe moles and spots is to ABCDE rule:

Areas that bleed, itch, hurt, or don’t heal also deserve special attention.

The risk comes from accumulated sun exposure

The main risk factor for skin cancer is the ultraviolet radiationpresent not only on the beach, but also in everyday life, such as walking, in traffic and even in the car.

Fair-skinned people, the elderly, those with a family history, and those using artificial tan should take particular care.

Sunscreen does not prevent vitamin D production

Daily use of sunscreen it is essential and does not harm the production of vitamin D. Even on cloudy days, UV rays are still present.

In addition to sunscreen, hats, clothing with UV protection and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. help reduce skin damage.

Early diagnosis ensures simpler treatments

When discovered early, skin cancer can be treated with less invasive procedures. In many cases, surgery is enough.

In melanomas, advances include targeted therapies And immunotherapywhich increased the chances of controlling the disease and improved the quality of life of patients.

Why talking about it is important

THE skin cancer It’s common, silent and often preventable. Information, daily protection and attention to the body’s signals are essential steps to reduce risks and ensure early diagnosis.