The covid-19 pandemic impacted many industries. Forcing the closure of a large chunk and overworking the others (especially health). The covid era brought its own lifestyle and methods of doing things.

The direct effects of the pandemic are glaring, but the chain reaction and ripple down effect produced as a result are broader than we think. One of the most affected sectors is the treatment of skin cancer. And it is not even in the positive aspect.

Regardless of the time of the year, people are at risk of skin cancer. The rate of skin cancer checkups has reduced drastically, and more people are canceling their scheduled appointments with the doctor for fear of breaching the pandemic protocol.

On the other hand, however, there is an assumption that the risk of skin cancer is reduced due to the pandemic: and also because people now spend less time outside under the sunlight. But this is not as much of a good thing as we would like to assume.

So long as your window is open to sunlight, you drive to work or work out under the sun; you still have a risk of contracting the disease.

Skin Cancer Stats During the Covid-19 Era

Predictably, it isn’t just the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer that has been negatively affected by the pandemic and accompanying restrictions. Cancer Australia reports an equivalent of 164,000 fewer diagnostic procedures performed in 2020 with 14 cancer types.

The most affected being in scans, blood tests, and biopsies for cancer-related diseases. This doesn’t translate to a decrease in cancer contraction but a decrease in the rate of discovery which makes treatment and recovery even harder.

The most type of cancer that has gone undiagnosed and untreated happens to be one of the most dangerous- melanoma. Statistics show a 15 percent rate of an overall reduction in surgeries and treatment in relation to it.

The absence of face-to-face interactions and increasing telehealth appointments puts the patients at greater risk. The disease pattern to lay dormant for an extra year or two puts the patient at even greater risk and makes treatment much more difficult.

Staying proactive during the pandemic

Skin cancer is primarily caused by ultraviolet rays. Longwave ultraviolet A light can penetrate deep into the skin, and even small amounts of exposure could result in melisma, wrinkles, and reduced collagen.

The short wave ultraviolet B rays penetrate the upper layer of the skin and cause sunburn, leading to skin cancer.

Regular skin cancer checks and early detection remains the best way to treat skin cancer. Asides from regular visits to the doctor, you and your partner can perform skin checks on yourself by ensuring to check the face, torso, neck, hands, legs, soles, and in between fingers. It is recommended to be done every three months.

Conclusion

Indeed, the best measure against skin cancer is early prevention and diagnosis. The disease is even curable if detected on time. This article has discussed how the pandemic has affected the ailment and what it means for you.

Regardless of the pandemic, try to be regular with your doctor appointments and take preventive measures as much as possible. If you haven’t had a skin cancer checkup in the past 6 months, be sure to make an appointment with a certified skin cancer clinic today.