December Orange 2021

Credit art - SBD Campaign 2021 The campaign raises awareness about skin protection while not forgetting the care with Covid-19 We have reached the month of December, and the December Orange campaign created by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) is always alert for skin cancer prevention and the risks, while also emphasizing the importance of sun protection during the period when solar rays are hotter. According to dermatologist Irene Baldi, this year the December Orange 2021 not only alerts for all this care but also highlights the need to respect the authorities' guidelines regarding Covid-19 precautions. "The SBD wants everyone to protect themselves from solar rays and take the necessary precautions, but it emphasizes that the use of hand sanitizer, masks, and social distancing should not be forgotten, even with the decrease in cases after widespread vaccination," says the dermatologist. Irene also warns to be very careful with the use of hand sanitizer in the sun, as it can stain or irritate the skin if it contains any fragrance. Awareness takes place in December mainly because it coincides with the beginning of summer, which also occurs this month (December 21). According to dermatologist and SBD member Karina Mazzini, during the hottest season of the year, care should be doubled. "In summer, the sun is hotter and the days are longer. That is, more time for our skin to be exposed to solar rays. Therefore, we have to double our skin care. Besides using sunscreen, it is good to avoid sun exposure between 9 AM and 4 PM, which is when it is most intense," warns Karina. Excessive and unprotected sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer in the country. According to the SBD, the disease accounts for 33% of diagnoses, registering about 185,000 new cases each year, according to the National Cancer Institute (Inca). Although some people find these precautions unnecessary or even exaggerated, they are fundamental for the prevention of skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in Brazil. "We reinforce the alert about this cancer because if detected early, there is more than a 90% chance of cure. But it is important to emphasize that there are different types of skin cancer, with melanoma being the most severe, which, although not the most common, is the most aggressive and potentially lethal," points out Karina. Among skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent type. It appears more in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back, and has low lethality and can be cured if detected early. The doctor also emphasizes that other factors can trigger the emergence of BCC, such as non-cancerous lesions like eczema or psoriasis. "If you notice any signs with different colors, a larger crust, or bleeding, it is necessary to seek a doctor for evaluation," explains dermatologist Irene Baldi. The campaign raises awareness about protection and the use of sunscreen, and we also highlight the importance of sunscreen use for the population. "The use of sunscreen is indispensable in human life and, besides providing all this protection against excessive solar rays and harmful lights, it also slows down the skin aging process," affirms Irene.