Only one third goes to early detection
Skin cancer is the most frequent type of cancer worldwide. Each year, there are 250.000 new cases in Germany . That means skin cancer is currently one-quarter of all cancer diseases. At the same time, skin cancer can be treated successfully in most of the cases, if it is early detected.
Nevertheless, in 2009 and 2010 only every third of the insured people of the “Techniker Krankenkasse (37 percent) aged 35 or over have used the skin cancer screening. This is shown by a current evaluation of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). A survey conducted by Forsa on behalf of the TK may provide the reasons. Four out of ten people only go to the doctor if they are really sick. A third of the respondents do not know which types of early detection examination is actually available.
“The earlier skin cancer is detected, the greater is the chance to treat it”, says Florian von Stern, expert of early detection at the TK. A lot of people have doubts, if they should go to the skin cancer screening on a regular basis, because of intensive sun exposition in the past or they have sensible skin or they have skin cancer in their family background”, advises von Stern.
Three main types of skin cancer can be distinguished: basal cell carcinoma (non melanoma skin cancer), squamous cell carcinoma (non melanoma skin cancer) and malignant melanoma. The basal cell carcinoma and the squamous cell carcinoma normally attract attention as unevenness on the skin. They can be easily removed through surgery. They rarely build metastases in other organs. Quite differently it is with malignant melanoma. The incidence is much lower, but it is more dangerous than the other two types. Malignant Melanoma has a dark colour, that is the reason why it is also called “black cancer”. According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, 621 people died of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in 2010 in Germany and more than 2700 people died of malignant melanoma.
Since 2008 the skin cancer screening is biennially free of charge for all statutory insured people aged 35 or over. The physician examines the whole body, from head to toe, for irregularities of the skin.
The screening is performed by dermatologists or specialized general practioners. The TK has a special offer: People aged 20 and over can used the screening.
“The best prevention ever is the reasonable handling with the sun”, says Florian von Stern. Less UV-exposition means lesser risk to develop skin cancer.” The so called ultra-violet radiation of the sun may seriously damage the hereditary of the skin cells and promote the development of skin cancer. Of course, you do not have to avoid the sun. Sunlight provides prositive effects such as heat, stimulation of vitamin D synthesis, regulate the calcium level, helps to protect against cardiovascular diseases and release of „feel-good-hormones“ . But there are some important rules to enjoy the sun in a healthy way.
- At the beach or at the ski slope: In every luggage must be sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (at least 20)
- The skin of children is very sensitive. They should use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30. They also should wear sun protective textiles
- particularly in the winter the solariums are visited very often . Pay attention: The artificial sun is dangerous as well. The visit for minors is forbidden
- Note individuality: Some skin types are more prone for sunburn. People with fair skin and freckles and those with skin cancer in the family background should be very cautious with the sun.
Source: Press release 05 January 2012 at www.tk.de
