SKIN CANCER: PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE IN THE NORTHEAST REGION OF BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: The high incidence of skin cancer cases is increasingly reaching a younger age group. Some regions of Brazil receive a large amount of solar radiation during the year, which results in many rural workers being exposed to the sun. Objective: Promote preventive and educational measures on the risks of prolonged exposure to the sun and analysis of epidemiological data in the region. Methodology: This work was developed based on articles with results on the northeast region of Brazil, by a qualitative observational descriptive research, on non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer. Based on the oncology panel available in publishers of the Ministry of Health, DATASUS, official databases such as the National Cancer Institute (INCA), Portal of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), scientific articles, Scielo Brazil portal, books and bibliographical reviews published in the last ten years. Results: It was possible to observe in ten articles, how cancer develops, risk groups and its incidence, four of the ten articles report several preventive measures; other four articles it is possible to observe that the epidemiological index was found in cities located in the Brazilian northeast; two of them report the possible causes of skin cancer. Conclusion: Skin cancer is a public health problem and requires early diagnosis and preventive care. Actions such as health education are needed to reduce unnecessary expenses and improve people's quality of life.