Leading dermatologist and skin expert Dr. Kirk Barber answers Canadians’ questions on a common pre-cancerous skin condition – actinic keratosis (AK).
Q. I have some red, scaly spots on my scalp. I think it’s just a rash, but my wife says I should get it checked out because I’m fair skinned and balding and could be at risk for skin cancer. Should I be worried?
A. Your wife was right to suggest getting these suspicious spots checked out. While you’d have to see a doctor to know for sure, it’s possible that you could have actinic keratosis, or AK, which is a skin condition caused by over-exposure to and damage by the sun. Early detection of AK is important because if left untreated it can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer.
Q. I’ve been doing some research and I think I might have actinic keratosis. What are my treatment options?
A. AK can be treated in many ways. The newest treatment available for AK is called Zyclara. It’s a cream that’s just been approved by Health Canada. Some of the benefits of Zyclara include that it’s well tolerated, is easy to use and can be applied in the comforts of your own home and it not only targets visible lesions, but also treats lesions that are not yet visible but are developing within your skin. There are also several other options available including other topical creams and topical chemotherapy, cryotherapy (freezing), curettage (scraping), lasers (burning) and photodynamic therapy. Speak with your dermatologist to determine what treatment options are best for you.
Q. I’m a male in my late forties – I always use sunscreen and am sure to cover up any exposed skin. Am I at risk for developing AK?
A: People who are most at risk for developing AK are those who have light-coloured skin, hair and eyes. AK is found more often in older men than women, and fair skinned people over the age of 50. AK is caused by chronic exposure to sun over the years, so in addition to protecting yourself from the sun, it’s also important that you do spot checks regularly to make sure you identify suspicious spots before they turn into skin cancer.
Dr. Barber’s four steps to AK prevention and detection
According to new research, Canadians are spending an average of 15 hours per week outdoors. Here are a few tips Canadians should know and follow when it comes to AK and the sun:
1. Use appropriate clothing to reduce sun exposure.
– Wide-brimmed hats / clothing that covers at-risk areas
– Sunglasses with 100% UV protection
2. Avoid excess exposure to the sun.
– Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (11 am – 3 pm)
3. Use a sunscreen lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
– The Canadian Dermatology Association logo on the product is a good guide to choosing an effective sunscreen.
– Look for one that is water-resistant and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
– Use lip sunscreen or zinc oxide.
4. Detection, detection, detection
– Check your skin regularly for any suspicious spots.
– If you think you might have AK, see a dermatologist to get it checked out.
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