Smile in the sun campaign, lighthouse on vaccinated and recovered from Covid

 The

skin cancer prevention campaign

promoted by the Dermopathic Institute of the Immaculate Conception of Rome-Ircss in collaboration with Idi-Farmaceutici to raise awareness on specific solar photoprotection for the prevention of skin cancers.

    The

measures

also to the attention of the experts

. In fact, Covid infection can also occur with skin manifestations associated with the different stages of the infection. The most common are urticaria, a rash similar to that of measles or chickenpox, chilblains, livedo reticularis and vasculitis.

In addition, vaccinated people - explains

, dermatologist of the IDI and coordinator of the clinic '' non-melanocytic skin tumors' - could manifest after administration, skin rashes, hives or erythema "." For these types of patients it would be appropriate. indicate a period of time of a few weeks before sun exposure - he stresses - moreover, these people will have to gradually expose themselves to the sun, use high protection sun creams and possibly associate them with systemic photoprotection. For these reasons, the role of the dermatologist in instructing the correct sun exposure is fundamental ".

    Topical photoprotection is essential and consists in the use of physical filters containing natural powders (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) capable of reflecting or diffracting UV radiation, or of chemical filters capable of absorbing UV radiation following exposure solar. The photoprotector (sun protection factor 30 or higher) should be applied every time you are exposed to UV rays, i.e. even when you leave the house. In support of topical photoprotection, dermatologists indicate

with the oral intake of specific photoprotectors such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, carotenoids with photoprotective and anti-photocarcinogenic properties.

These substances enhance natural protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent carcinogenesis and photo-induced aging. 

Skin cancers, nicotinamide the only drug that reduces them

 Oral therapy with nicotinamide, which is one of the forms of vitamin B3, is currently the only drug that has shown the reduction of non-melanocytic skin cancers.

"This drug is reported in national and international guidelines for the prevention of this type of cancer and can be prescribed for preventive treatment in patients undergoing the removal of at least two basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas", explains Luca Fania, dermatologist and coordinator of the clinic "non-melanocytic skin tumors" of the Dermopathic Institute of the Immaculate Conception (Idi) in Rome.

The main risk factor - underline the IDI dermatologists - is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial lamps. UV radiation, in addition to inducing damage to the DNA by promoting tumor transformation of skin cells over the years (photocarcinogenesis), determines an increase in oxidative stress at the cellular level (photo-induced aging). Generally, skin neoplasms arise on chronically exposed skin areas such as the head-neck region, the back of the hands and the trunk, particularly in people who engage in outdoor work and hobbies.

Non-melanocytic tumors represent the most common neoplasms with a continuously growing incidence: according to Airtum estimates (Italian Association of Cancer Registries), the incidence of basal cell carcinoma has increased by 10% per year, reaching a prevalence burden comparable to that of all cancers considered as a whole. Although these cancers have an extremely lower mortality than that of melanoma, if neglected over the years they can lead to complications for the patient. In 2020 - recalls Fania - 840 removals of basal cell ca and 480 removals of squamous cell ca were carried out and over 2500 accesses were recorded for the same pathologies in the various departments and services of the dermopathic institute. (HANDLE).