By Andrea Hargraves 
The scalp is often forgotten, but it is also part of the skin and deserves great care especially during the summer. At this time of year, radiation indicators reach levels that are likely to be precancerous, so exposure to UVA/UVB and IR (infrared) rays over the years can lead to the appearance of new lesions or modify those previously on the skin of any Person, that’s why. month if Raising awareness of skin cancer in the December Orange campaign.
The type of skin cancer with the worst prognosis is melanoma, and according to INCA (National Cancer Institute), in 2020, the estimated new cases in Brazil were: 8,450, 4,200 men and 4,250 women.
“The scalp can also develop lesions caused by the sun, even tumors. They can appear in different sizes and shapes, which is why prevention and early detection are the best ways to avoid complications,” says dermatologist Patricia Mafra, member of the Brazilian Society of Diseases. dermatological;
Since it is an area covered with hair, double attention should be paid to the scalp, as in addition to not using sunscreen on the area, hair strands help hide cancerous lesions.
“Scalp melanoma is dangerous if not diagnosed and treated, as there is a risk of metastasis to the brain. Although not classified as brain tumors, brain metastases are types of cancer that reach the brain after they have traveled through the body,” he says. Gabriel Novaes de Resende Battistella, MD, neurologist and neuro-oncologist, member of the Latin American Neuro-Oncology Society (SNOLA) explains.
No sunscreen for the scalp. However, experts recommend applying spray sunscreen to reach the area. If a person is bald, they can use the same product applied to the face, with an SPF of at least 30 and PPD 10, with reapply every two hours. In addition, especially for those who work in the sun, you should wear hats and hats.
According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina in the United States, melanomas of the scalp and neck, for a variety of reasons, can be more aggressive than those that appear in other places. The research team analyzed 50,000 cases and found that patients with skin cancer in this area are twice as likely to die than those with disease in their arms or legs. “For example, these people are more likely to have cancer that spreads to the brain than those who have skin cancer of the arms, legs, or torso,” the neuro-oncologist explains.
Despite the poor prognosis, the incidence of tumor in this area is not as high as in other areas. Depending on the type of skin cancer, symptoms and presentation may vary. Skin cancers in melanoma often present with skin lesions that do not heal and appear unusual or painful, bleed and crust over for more than four weeks. Melanoma of the skin is characterized by a lesion that changes shape, color, or size, bleeds, or develops to an irregular border.
While anyone can get skin cancer, people who are fair-skinned, who “burn” easily after exposure to sunlight, and who have a family history of skin cancer (or who have had skin cancer) are more likely to develop it. On the scalp, people with thinner, thinner, and bald hair are also at greater risk.
One way to speed up the diagnosis of melanoma is to self-examination of skin tissue, using the base of the ABCDE spot and lesion (A asymmetric, B for irregular edges, C for uneven color, D for a diameter greater than 6 mm and E for development – when rapidly growing). Since performing this scalp scan can be more difficult individually, you can ask your partner, family member, or friend for help. It only takes a few minutes, once a month, preferably with natural light, to check for any changes in the area.
There will usually be a small wound with a crust that bleeds easily. We consider this to be the first stage of the problem, in which the patient can search. In addition, if the wound is larger than six millimeters, if there is double or triple staining, and if it has not healed within four weeks, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, which is usually surgical to remove the lesion completely and should be performed in as soon as possible,” concludes dermatologist Patricia Mafra.