Skin Cancer Check-up In Bkk ?

[BKKdreaming]

Hi all

Being a blond (now greying) blue eyed kid that lived near the beach ,

we always got pretty bad sunburns.

Plus all thru my life I worked and played outside in the California sunshine.

Now I see all the reports that all this sun was bad for me , so I try to cover up more and put sunscreen on.

But what old damage do I have ?

I had a full check-up last November at bumrungrad , but I do not think Thai hospitals really worry about this.

Any BKK hospital that really knows what to look for on light skined patients ?

thanks for your advise

[griffer]

well...I'm not sure about your assumption that Thai hospitals don't really worry about skin cancer..

I was in Bumrungrad for back surgery, which I won't bore you with, as evryone else has already been bored with it on another thread...

however, when i went back for a check-up, the orthopaedic surgeon remarked on some moles on my back...you can imagine how pleased I was about this, having just had surgery and a week in hospital. Anyway, I am promptly escorted off to 'Dermitology'.. see the specialist....she doesn't like them either.

"so what do we do next?" was my innocent question..

"well one option is that I could laser them off now" was the surprising reply...

45 minutes later I am laying on an operating table..with the doctor, a smiling thai nurse, and a laser pointed at my back..

they actually inject under each mole with anesthetic, then take a biopsy, then burn it out.

they took about 10 off me..

come back 3 days later for results...and..dysplatic melanocytic nevus, junctional type.........skin cancer.

surprised again...for this is the first time i've had any type of cancer,,,and its not a pleasant first..i asked what we have to do now?

the good news was that the doctor had suspected this mole looked bad and had taken a large area out with the laser..so nothing else had to be done..

i have to go back for a six month check-up.

the total cost of this surgery and medicine was 5989 baht.

the doctor i saw, who also did the op, was Dr.Supanee Sugkraroek.

now interestingly, i had no symptoms...no itching, bleeding, change of shape(well thats hard to be accurate about with moles on my back..but nothing i had noticed in a mirror)(not that i spend an awful lot of time admiring my back in a mirror!)..so if it had not been picked up i would probably not have noticed until considerably later...and how far this may have spread by then is anyone's guess.

so i guess there is a lesson there somewhere..

chokdee..

[john b good]

so i guess there is a lesson there somewhere..

Yes, and you are fortunate that you will be able to continue to benefit from it (the lesson)

I'll keep the doctors name in case I need to see her.

Thanks for the info.

[lopburi3]

Will chorus the other posters as I had a spot on nose that would not heal last year and went to local (Latphao) hospital and slice was made and found to be cancer and had it (large area) removed. If you don't mention a previous history or a concern perhaps they don't pay too close attention in a normal exam but every hospital has someone on staff who should be able to spot and treat this. In my case removal of other suspect pre-cancer spots was by same doctor but at Bumrungrad as local hospital did not have CO2.

Interesting news today about a cream treatment for surface type cancer.

[sbk]

I'll add my two cents worth as well. My father is a white-skinned, ginger haired man who has had numerous cancers frozen or lasered off of his face, hands, neck and arms over the past ten years (he grew up on a farm, worked in the fields all summer. He was told by his doctor that most of the cancers that show up later in life are from damage done when young). So, when I found a light brown patch of skin on my forehead I went to the dermatologist at Bumrungrad. I, too saw Dr. Supannee. Only to be told "age spots" Whew! Not thrilled with age spots but better than cancer any day. She told me I could have them removed with a laser but it would be purely cosmetic (no, I didn't) but also that if it changed or I found any new spots to be sure to come in and have them checked. I found her to be very professional, and fluent in English and felt very comfortable with her examination and diagnosis.

I doubt any regular checkup would automatically check for skin cancer unless you put in a specific request. My suggestion is if you are worried (and sounds like you have reason to be) is to go to a dermatologist and get yourself checked.

And BTW, Thai people can get skin cancer too.

[Pepe']

This is a good general guide line . If you do a search you can get some pictures too to monitor suspect lesions in areas that you can see.

Stay vigilant. Any general practitioner should be good for routine screenings but a specialist in this case is better.

Good health

The skin is the largest organ in our body. It provides protection against heat, cold, light, and infection. The skin is made up of two major layers (epidermis and dermis) as well as various types of cells. The top (or outer) layer of the skin—the epidermis—is composed of three types of cells: flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells; round cells called basal cells; and melanocytes, cells that provide skin its color and protect against skin damage. The inner layer of the skin—the dermis—is the layer that contains the nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands.

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of your skin. There are several types of cancer that originate in the skin. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma (70 percent of all skin cancers) and squamous cell carcinoma (20 percent). These types are classified as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Melanoma (five percent of all skin cancers) is the third type of skin cancer. It is less common than basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, but potentially much more serious. Other types of skin cancer are rare.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It typically appears as a small raised bump that has a pearly appearance. It is most commonly seen on areas of the skin that have received excessive sun exposure. These cancers may spread to the skin around the cancer but rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also seen on the areas of the body that have been exposed to excessive sun (nose, lower lip, hands, and forehead). Often this cancer appears as a firm red bump or ulceration of the skin that does not heal. Squamous cell carcinomas can spread to lymph nodes in the area.

Melanoma is a skin cancer (malignancy) that arises from the melanocytes in the skin. These cancers typically arise as pigmented (colored) lesions in the skin with an irregular shape, irregular border, and multiple colors. It is the most harmful of all the skin cancers, because it can spread to other sites in the body. Fortunately, most melanomas have a very high cure rate when identified and treated early.

Who Gets Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a disease that has shown a steady increase over the past 20 years. Fortunately, with early diagnosis and treatment, it remains a very curable disease. A variety of factors have been identified that place a person at a higher risk to develop skin cancer (see “Am I at risk?”).

How Is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?

The vast majority of skin cancers can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. Aside from protecting your skin from sun damage, it is important to recognize the early signs of skin cancer.

Skin sores that do not heal,

Bumps or nodules in the skin that are enlarging, and

Changes in existing moles (size, texture, color).

If you notice any of the factors listed above see your doctor right away. If you have a spot or lump on your skin, your doctor may remove the growth and examine the tissue under the microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy can usually be done in the doctor's office and usually involves numbing the skin with a local anesthetic. Examination of the biopsy under the microscope will tell the doctor if the skin lesion is a cancer (malignancy).

How Is Skin Cancer Treated?

There are varieties of treatments available, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, to treat skin cancer. Treatment for skin cancer depends on the type and size of cancer, your age, and your overall health.

Surgery is the most common form of treatment. It generally consists of an office or outpatient procedure to remove the lesion and check edges to make sure all the cancer was removed. In many cases, the site is then repaired with simple stitches. In larger skin cancers, your doctor may take some skin from another body site to cover the wound and promote healing. This is termed skin grafting. In more advanced cases of skin cancer, radiation therapy or chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells) may be used with surgery to improve cure rates.

Am I At Risk?

People with any of the factors listed below have a higher risk of developing skin cancer and should be particularly careful about sun exposure.

long-term sun exposure

fair skin (typically blonde or red hair with freckles)

place of residence (increased risk in Southern climates)

presence of moles, particularly if there are irregular edges, uneven coloring, or an increase in the size of the mole

family history of skin cancer

use of indoor tanning devices

severe sunburns as a child

nonhealing ulcers or nodules in the skin .

Early identification of skin cancer can save your life.

How Can I Lower My Risk?

The single most important thing you can do to lower your risk of skin cancer is to avoid direct sun exposure. Sunlight produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can directly damage the cells (DNA) of our skin. People who work outdoors (farming, construction, boating, outdoor sports) are at the highest risk of developing a skin cancer. The sun's rays are the most powerful between 10 am and 2 pm, so you must be particularly careful during those hours. If you must be out during the day, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible, including a wide-brimmed hat to block the sun from your face, scalp, neck, and ears. In addition to protective clothing, the use of a sunscreen can reflect light away from the skin and provide protection against UV radiation. When selecting a sunscreen, choose one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Sunscreen products do not completely block the damaging rays, but they do allow you to be in the sun longer without getting sunburn. In addition to being sun-smart, it is critical to recognize early signs of trouble on your skin. The best time to do self-examination is after a shower in front of a full-length mirror. Note any moles, birthmarks, and blemishes. Be on the alert for sores that do not heal or new nodules on the skin. Any mole that changes in size, color, or texture should be carefully examined. If you notice anything new or unusual, see your physician right away. Catching skin cancer early can save your life.

Ultraviolet Index: What You Need to Know

The new Ultraviolet (UV) Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities and avoid overexposure to the damaging rays of the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency , the UV Index is issued daily as a national service.

The UV Index gives the next day's amount of exposure to UV rays. The Index predicts UV levels on a 0-10+ scale (see chart).

Always take precautions against overexposure, and take special care when the UV Index predicts exposure levels of moderate to above (5 - 10+). v

Index Number Exposure Level

0 - 2 Minimal

3 - 4 Low

5 - 6 Moderate

7 - 9 High

10+ Very High

[Erawan]

Yeah, I've been hearing a lot more about this lately. I read that getting a tan is bad for you, it's a sign of skin damage . I was looking forward to trying to get a bit of a tan myself, I'm as white as a ghost.

So tell me, am I destined to get skin cancer if I spend a lot of time in Thailand, outdoors in the sun? I think it's a bit unrealistic to stay completely covered up in Thailand's climate. God, I worry myself sick about it.

[Crushdepth]

If you don't take precautions its quite likely, particularly when you get older. You can't avoid the sun completely but you can reduce your exposure (and risk) quite a lot - so just do all the sensible things and don't worry be happy If you're in the sun a lot you'll still get a tan even with sunblock on.

[donnamurphy]

I recently went to Bumrungrad for a skin check. You can just go up to the skin centre (I don't remember the floor) and do a walk in appointment.

The doctor found several 'sun spots' on my skin and froze them off immediately. No pain. No stitches. No scarring. Easy.

I think that BNH would most certainly have a skin centre, too, if you preferred to go there.

The doctor was, of course, all too happy to mention to me that I should wear long sleeves at all times, stay out of the sun, and wear sun screen every time I step outside.

Go get it checked. It costs barely anything, and you will have peace of mind.

(This is coming from someone whos brother had a squamous cell carcinoma on his lip and has had his bottom lip shaved off and had several biopsies and other unpleasant stuff done to him)

[Pepe']

Ther is some conflicting reports on the benefits of limited sun exposure before 10 am or after 3 pm?

[plachon]

Yeah, I've been hearing a lot more about this lately. I read that getting a tan is bad for you, it's a sign of skin damage . I was looking forward to trying to get a bit of a tan myself, I'm as white as a ghost.

So tell me, am I destined to get skin cancer if I spend a lot of time in Thailand, outdoors in the sun? I think it's a bit unrealistic to stay completely covered up in Thailand's climate. God, I worry myself sick about it.

I don't think you need to be paranoid about spending too much time in the sun in Thailand. Common sense and the tropical heat should dictate how long is enough, (unless you're an Englishman or mad dog!). My arms stay permanently tanned, but I try to avoid the rest of my body getting too much exposure, and if I'm on the beach it's always follow the Ozzie rules of "Slip, slap, slop".

But there's another factor I'm curious about, which somebody may have more info on. Even though Thailand is nearer the equator and hence the sun, I believe there is less dangerous UV rays getting through than at higher latitudes, because of differences in the thickness of the ozone layer (which filters them out). Hence, sunbathing near the poles is theoretically more dangerous than near the equator. Is there any substance in this?