Skin Cancer Update 01 July 2017

Posted July 13, 2017

July 2017

Salute to the people who care.

I was recently invited to attend the South African Skin Cancer Foundation’s (SASCF) annual convention. It was in Pretoria which meant I needed to catch the red-eye flight from Durban to skid in there on time. I’m not a morning person. At all. It took me a one hour flight, a lengthy Gautrain trip and a glance in the Uber cab’s sun visor mirror before I realized I had applied mascara to my left lashes only. One eye significantly more startled than the other was certainly not the look I was going for, especially amongst a highly esteemed group of professionals. But without access to mascara or the time to buy any, I had no option. Sigh. I could only Trojan on.

As I walked into the convention I felt so many things over and above my excitement. The atmosphere was festive and light. It was professional but with an inviting warmth. It was clear that this was a space filled with remarkable individuals doing remarkable, life changing things. The skincare products and devices on display were the latest in industry, and I soaked it all in as I went around chatting to each of their ambassadors.

I was a koeksister and a delightful chocolate cupcake down, when a chimer ushered us into the theatre for the commencement of the talks. The speakers were inspiring and hugely informative. Really the key message is prevention first and that is the primary drive of the SASCF through education of the public and professionals.

It is clear that almost none of us are applying sun protection correctly. We simply have to perform a daily regime of sunscreen (UVA and UVB) and serum (Infra-red radiation) if we are to prevent skin cancer and aesthetic damage. Damage continues rain or shine, when we are indoors, behind glass or behind our computer screens. This was reiterated throughout the talks.

What was of particular interest to me was research presented on vitamins A, C and E and for mild to severe photo damage. The results showed a marked improvement in photo damage, skin thickness and wrinkles. It was found that two main groups of agents can be used as anti-aging cream components: antioxidants and cell regulators.

Antioxidants such as vitamins reduce collagen degradation by reducing the concentration of free radicals in the tissues. Cell regulators such as retinols (vitamin A) have a direct effect on collagen metabolism and influence collagen production. And vitamins C, B3 and E are the most important antioxidants as they are able to penetrate the skin due to their small molecular weight.

Protection from the sun requires a regime that’s performed daily, and education is so desperately needed in South Africa. I would give a big hats-off to the members of the SASCF for all the good work they are doing, but they are quite firm about wearing a hat at all times ;).

By Keryn