The increased frequency of skin cancer is now a global reality. After summer, watch out the face and bodyor for new signs and stains .

With the onset of autumn and the end of the heat comes the short days and routine and the clothes, but the care and self-skin exam should be maintained. In winter or summer, on the beach, in the field or in town, on sunny days or cloudy, ultraviolet radiation exists. Manuel Calixto, Dermatologist of Lifeclinic®, explains that the clouds, even the most opaque or gray, just filter out infrared radiation, one that gives the sensation of heat. Not so with ultraviolet A and B, which can cross any cloudiness.

The skin and the outdoors: A healthy relationship
Portugal is a country of sun. This climate favors the recreation and outdoor sport practiced throughout the year. In summer there are around 850 km of coastline, an area of immense pleasure, completely free, sought by those who want to rest, refresh yourself or have fun with friends.

Today should be highlighted more the dangers of the sun's own benefits, but they also exist.

The sun is essential to the existence of human beings, warms us, and directly influences our lifestyles. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation exerts an anti-rachitic by vitamin D synthesis in the epidermis, has anti-depressive effects and regulation of daily cycles, caloric due to infrared, improves blood circulation and act in the treatment of some dermatoses.

However, it is necessary to protect our skin from excessive sun exposure and its consequences. The benign effects should not overshadow the negative effects that, like many others, solely dependent on dose, in this case, from ultraviolet radiation.
We must reconcile the pleasure that the sun brings us to our health. This depends not only on our genetic inheritance but also of our behaviors and habits of life, physical and social environment in which we find and supply of health care both preventive and curative we have.

Self-examination with help for those who need
During 12 days, between 15 and 30 September, the service of Permanent Nursing from Lifeclinic under the guidance of their dermatologist joins the Family Health Unit (FHU) Citadel Health Center (CS) from Cascais and promotes an action education, screening and early detection of skin cancer.

The administrator of Lifeclinic, Sant'anna Paula Ferreira, explains that "during this period we will give information to the general public about this disease, and detect and refer people with free pigmented lesions." As explained Sonia Leal, Coordinator of USF CS Cascais Citadel, "These initiatives are key to primary prevention and early diagnosis of melanomas and carcinomas."

To avoid having to wait to make his mark among the 8.30he 21.00h in person or by phone 211 914 322 in the reception of Lifeclinic®.

WHAT IS IT? 
It is a tumor composed of skin cells that have undergone a transformation and multiply abnormally giving rise to a new tissue (tumor).
Melanoma, the type of skin cancer worse, continues to grow across Europe and Portugal is no exception. Dermatologists estimate that this year, about ten thousand new cases of skin cancer diagnosed, a thousand are melanomas.

CAUSES
Although there are other agents that can trigger the condition, as genetic, chronic overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun remains a concern for the experts, who stress predispose the beginning of this cell transformation.

The skin cancer primarily affects white-skinned people who burn easily and never tan or tan with difficulty (phototype I and II). About 90% of lesions located on skin areas that are exposed to the sun, which shows the importance of sun exposure to the onset of this cancer. The sun protection and screening is therefore the principal means to use in primary prevention and early diagnosis of disease.

IS THIS CARNCER THE MOST DEADLY?
According to Dr. Manuel Calixto "Although melanoma only accounts for about 10% of skin cancer, accounts for more than 90% of deaths." Every year it is estimated that over 200 people die in Portugal due to this disease which can take 10 or even 20 years to manifest.

The expert explained that the current situation is the result of "errors of consecutive sun caught in the past" and that "for now we can only help develop a shared awareness of this subject, acting on the determinants of health, calling for prevention and early diagnosis that saves lives. "
Stay alert, treat yourself and your skin's health. Follow the advice of specialists.

HOW CAN I PROTECT ME?
Always use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor greater than 15, applying it generously at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying it after dipping or excessive sweating.

Refer to the use of hats and umbrellas that block the passage of the sun and still use sunscreen because part of the ultraviolet radiation is reflected in the sand hitting the skin.

Avoid the sun during the period between 10 and 16 hours and know your phototype.

Start to protect yourself as soon as possible. About 75% of solar radiation received during life occurs within the first 20 years and the effects of ultraviolet radiation become apparent only over time. The lesions begin to appear in most cases around 40. Therefore, protect children and teach teens to protect themselves.

A large majority of cases of skin cancer located on the face, protect it well. Do not forget to also protect the lips and ears, sites commonly affected by the disease.

Take a self-exam of your skin regularly and look for a dermatologist if there are spots that have changed in your skin forming on the surface flaking, bleeding easily, that does not heal wounds or injuries of evolutionary growth.

Stay alert, treat yourself and your skin's health. Follow the advice of specialists.

Annually visit the dermatologist for a professional evaluation and treatment of any pre-cancerous lesions. Come make your  free self-examination with help at Lifeclinic® between 15 and September 30.

This article was published in the Journal Golden News de Cascais No 17 of September 10.