THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF SKIN CANCER

Abstract

The skin plays an essential role in body protection, as it acts as a physical barrier against external agents and in the regulation of body temperature. However, frequent and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin damage, such as erythema, photoaging, burns and even skin neoplasms. Therefore, skin cancer is currently defined as the one with the highest incidence in the world, and, consequently, considered a serious public health problem in Brazil. In this bias, skin cancer has numerous risk factors, in which lighter hair, eyes and skin, alcohol and tobacco consumption, chronic irritative dermatological processes and ionizing radiation are emphasized. In this context, it becomes increasingly necessary to adopt measures associated with health promotion actions, with regard to the skin, the prevention of dermatological diseases and the recovery of skin health, respectively. In addition, it is necessary to know and improve surgical excision techniques for the treatment of already established skin cancer.