Skin cancer - a growing threat to increasingly younger patients

Skin cancer remains the most common oncological disease in the world, including in Bulgaria. People with light skin, hair and eyes are the most affected, with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays without adequate protection being the leading factor.

According to Dr. Gergana Shalamanova, head of the Department of Medical Oncology and Skin Oncological Diseases at the Comprehensive Cancer Center - Plovdiv, in the past, skin cancer was found mainly in the elderly, rural population and outdoor workers. Today, however, it is increasingly being discovered in young urban residents, due to prolonged sun exposure both in summer and during winter sports in the mountains. The reflection of sunlight from snow or water significantly amplifies the harmful effect.

Skin carcinomas appear mainly on the face, head and other exposed parts of the body. The most common type is basal cell carcinoma - a small, pearly shiny nodule that subsequently ulcerates, secretes and bleeds. It is important to pay attention to precancerous changes, such as skin horns, keratoacanthomas and actinic keratoses, which in their initial forms can be easily treated.

Rarer but more dangerous are melanomas - malignant tumors that start from the pigment cells and can spread to other organs if not detected in time. The most dangerous are sudden and prolonged sun or tanning bed exposure, especially in children, whose delicate skin and cells have memory - burns in early age can lead to melanoma even after 20 years.

Dr. Shalamanova emphasizes that the key is in prevention - regular check-ups with a dermatologist, avoiding the sun between 12 and 4 pm, using high-factor sunscreens, wearing sunglasses, hats and UV-protective clothing. Early diagnosis is crucial for saving lives.