Sarah Ferguson (64) suffers from black skin cancer. This is reported by “Daily Mail” among others. Skin cancer is currently one of the most common types of cancer in Germany. Every year in Germany, about 40,000 people become ill in black people and an estimated over 250,000 in white people. The good news: if detected early, the disease is often easily treatable, according to the German Cancer Society (DKG).
How black skin cancer manifests itself
According to the DKG, black skin cancer often develops on the legs in women and on the back in men. The appearance of the tumors is not uniform. Flat, nodular, or raised dark, brown, or black spots often develop.
Non-melanoma skin cancer is rarely life-threatening
Significantly more common light or white skin cancer According to Klaus Kraywinkel of the Cancer Registry Data Center (ZfKD) of the Robert Koch Institute, about 80 percent of cases are basal cell carcinoma, also known as basal cell carcinoma, which usually does not metastasize. Another 20 percent of patients have squamous cell carcinoma, also known as squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which can metastasize when they reach a certain size. However, this rarely happens. Other types of non-melanoma skin cancer are very rare.
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Non-melanoma skin cancer is also rarely life-threatening, with 750 deaths out of approximately 250,000 cases. It's more dangerous black skin cancer , also called malignant melanoma. Approximately 40,000 people are diagnosed with this disease each year, which is significantly less than non-melanoma skin cancer.
White skin cancer – this is what it can look like
White skin cancer occurs mainly in areas of the body that are particularly exposed to the sun, as Berlin dermatologist Christian Kors explains. These so-called sun terraces include, for example, the nose, ears, neck, forehead, hands, décolletage and, especially for bald men, the scalp.
Contrary to what the name suggests, non-melanoma skin cancer does not form light spots. Basal cell carcinoma is usually skin-colored to reddish and nodular or tumor-like. Scaly skin areas bordered by small nodules are also typical. According to the DKG, tumors can also become noticeable through oozing or bleeding.
Squamous cell carcinomas, on the other hand, vary greatly in appearance: they can look like warts or resemble weeping sores. Skin tumors often appear as worn, scaly, or crusty patches.
The main risk factors are UVA and UVB rays
“Mild skin cancer is mainly related to UV radiation,” explains dermatologist Christian Kors. The number 1 risk factor is strong sun exposure. Harmful UVA and UVB rays trigger the disease by causing mutations in skin cells. Especially children should be well protected from the sun, because sunburns at a young age increase the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. Visiting a solarium also increases the risk of getting sick.
“UV radiation also plays a role in black skin cancer,” explains the dermatologist. Although radiation is an important factor, it is only one of many factors, not all of which are known.
In the 70s and 80s, the tanning cult
The medical significance of non-melanoma skin cancer has only been known since the 1990s, says dermatologist Kors. In the past, sun protection was only available with a low sun protection factor.
In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a veritable cult of tanning. People spent hours in the blazing sun, partly because skin cancer wasn't a problem at the time. If sunscreen was used at all, then with a single-digit number. With fatal consequences that are only noticed years later. Because skin cancer develops gradually.
Today, people are more aware of the dangerous solar radiation. However, people have to protect themselves more consistently even today.
How to best protect yourself
In particular, it helps to avoid strong sunlight and wear protective, long clothing and a head covering. You should also use a high level of sun protection with UV-A and UV-B filters and apply the cream extensively to the skin. Many people apply the cream too sparingly, which means that effective protection is not provided.
Dermatologist Christian Kors even recommends using skin protection every day. “A sun protection factor of 20 or higher should be used every day – regardless of the season.” Anyone who plans to be outdoors should also adjust the SPF upwards. Here, the dermatologist recommends protection SPF 50 plus.
Regular skin cancer screening is also crucial. National health insurance companies pay for such a screening every two years from the age of 35. However, Kors recommends that you self-examine your skin once a month to detect any noticeable changes in the shape, color or size of existing or new spots.
Skin cancer occurs at this age
Skin cancer often takes decades to develop. According to the DKG, basal cell carcinoma occurs at an average age of 60, and patients diagnosed with squamous cell cancer at an average age of 70.
The risk of developing black skin cancer also increases with age. According to Klaus Kraywinkel, women get sick on average around the age of 60 and men around the age of 67. However, there are also significantly younger patients.