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Wednesday, 1 May, 2024

Skin Cancer Awareness Month - May 2024

A cross section of human skin, with a blue background and sun in the sky. Across the skin is the text

Skin cancer affects over 13,000 people in Ireland each year, with almost 1 in every 3 patients treated at one of the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster’s sites. 

In the human body, the skin is the largest organ and skin cancer is a type of cancer that affects skin cells. Skin cancer is a cancer of skin cells, The most common cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun or sunbeds

There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. 

Melanoma

Melanoma is a less common but more serious form of skin cancer affecting over 1,000 people in Ireland each year. 

Melanoma typically develops from a mole or from the development of a new pigmented growth on the skin. Signs to watch out for in a mole:

  • Changes in size i.e. gets bigger
  • Changes in colour, such as moles with multiple colours or patterns
  • Changes in feel i.e. itching, pain, bleeding
  • Unusual shape i.e. a mole with two different looking halves
  • Uneven outline (asymmetrical shape)

The Irish Cancer Society provides some helpful images of different mole changes. You can access those pictures by clicking  here. 

If you notice any changes to your skin that you are concerned about, you should see your doctor. 

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas 

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, typically appearing as a small, shiny bump or a red, scaly patch on the skin. It usually develops on parts of the body which are exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck. 

Squamous cell carcinoma is another common form of skin cancer, characterised by thick, rough, or scaly patches on the skin, often with a raised border. It may appear as a brown spot, like an age spot. While squamous cell carcinoma typically develops on areas of the skin exposed to the sun, it can also occur on mucous membranes and scar tissue. Like basal cell carcinoma, prolonged sun exposure is a significant risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma.

A series of pictures with text next to them, which are the sunsmart campaign 5 s's. The first is hanging teeshits which says slip on clothes that cover. Then it's a picture of suncream saying 'slop on some suncream'. Then it's a wide brimmed hat with the text 'slap on a wide-brimmed hat'. Next is a umbrella and lounger chair on a beach with the text 'seek shade'. Finally it's a picture of sunglass

How to prevent and treat skin cancer

Prevention
The SunSmart Campaign outlines ways of reducing your skin cancer risk. They include the five S’s:

  • Slip on clothing,
  • Slop on sunscreen,
  • Slap on a wide-brimmed hat,
  • Seek shade,
  • Slide on sunglasses.

As well as the 5 S’s it is important to remember to not deliberately get a suntan and avoid getting a sunburn. Never use a sunbed!


Treatment
Treatment for skin cancer has advanced significantly in recent years, with survival increasing by 10 percentage points in the last decade. Almost all patients diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers will survive their cancer and over 90% of people with melanoma will survive. However, survival rates for melanoma decrease to 32% for those with late stage disease. As such, continued research is needed to find new treatments for melanoma. 

The UCD Cancer Trials Cluster is currently conducting four trials in skins cancer, three of these being drug trials and one being a surgical trial. 

MelMart

The MelMart surgical trial in melanoma. The standard surgery for melanoma is local surgical removal with a wide margin around the melanoma. However, this wide margin can lead to complications and the need for reconstructive surgery. Surgeons believe that a smaller, 1cm margin around the melanoma is sufficient and wish to test the effectiveness and safety of a smaller surgical margin.

More details about the MelMart study: Clinicaltrial.gov and Cancer Trials Ireland.

Regeneron R3767-ONC-2011

Stage 3 and 4 melanoma has reduced survival rates compared to early stage disease. When a melanoma reaches stage 3 and 4, it may not be possible to remove the cancer with surgery. 

The aims of the study are to see how effective the combination of fianlimab and cemiplimab are in treating the melanoma skin cancer, in comparison with a medication, pembrolizumab, approved for the treatment of melanoma skin cancer in adults

More details about the this study: Clinicaltrial.gov and Cancer Trials Ireland.  

Regeneron R2810-ONC-1788 (C-POST)

This study assesses the efficacy of adjuvant cemiplimab versus placebo after surgery and radiation therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Certain types of squamous cell carcinoma have a high chance of coming back after surgery and radiation therapy. Currently, there is no approved treatment to give patients after surgery and radiation to prevent squamous cell carcinoma from coming back. 

This study will examine if the addition of cemiplimab decreases the chance of these high-risk cancers coming back.

More details about the this study: Clinicaltrial.gov and Cancer Trials Ireland.   

Regeneron R3767-Onc-2055

Similar to the above study (Regeneron R3767-ONC-2011), Regeneron R3767-Onc-2055 will investigate the if the combination of fianlimab and cemiplimab is an effective treatment compared to pembrolizumab. However, in this study, the combination treatment will be investigated in patients that have had melanoma removal surgery but are still at high risk for the recurrence of the disease.

More details about the this study: Clinicaltrial.gov and Cancer Trials Ireland.  

More information and support

These four studies are a small sample of the trials currently running at the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster. For information about all of our studies, see our Current Studies page.

For more information about skin cancer, see these links:

Contact the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster

UCD Clinical Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4
E: cancertrials@ucd.ie