Global Warming: Skin Cancer on Rise in Pakistan

KARACHI - Dermatologists are concerned on the growing cases of skin cancer in Pakistan, Dr Azam Samdani, head of the Department of Dermatology at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, said Friday.

Dr Samdani said that according to estimates about two percent of patients of skin ailments were suffering from skin cancer. He said the disease was curable at the initial stage. However, he warned that the disease could be fatal if the patient delays treatment. “It could be so painful that patients wish early deaths,” he told The Nation.

Dr Samdani said that due to global warming and dents in the Ozone layers, the ultraviolet rays were hitting humans bodies, causing serious damages to them. He said that all undressed and uncovered parts of the body are vulnerable to the skin damages. The main cause of spreading the disease to dangerous levels is that most of patients go to quakes and apply local ointments, which further damage the skin’s upper portion.

The diseases are more prevalent among those who live mostly out side in the sun. Farmers, construction workers, are more prone to the disease. He viewed that people are not well aware of the risk of skin diseases.

Dr Samdani said that at a given day in the JPMC alone, 250 to 300 patients visit the dermatology department. About two percent patients reported in the centre suffer from different kinds of skin cancer, the number may be much more but statistics are not available. Speaking about the gravity of the disease, the doctor said that as the sunrays are coming to the earth without getting filtered through the Ozone layers, the risk of skin disorders especially cancer has increased manifold particularly among people who stay in direct contact with sun light for long hours.

Most of the people do not know they have some skin problem that requires medical treatment. Apathy and monetary problems both causes dominate the general attitude of the masses. People do not go to the doctor for skin disease because skin diseases do not pose any threat to life.

“At an advanced stage, skin cancer cannot be treated. It is one of prolonging and chronic cancers. Fortunately, some kinds of skin cancer are curable if they are treated at early stages,” Dr Samdani added.

“Skin problems are more considered as beauty problem as compare to a medical disorder therefore instead of consulting with a dermatologists, due to lack of general knowledge, people go to beauticians for suggestions and remedies, he said and pointed out that acne was a common problem among young and middle aged people.

Acne causes disfigure, it may also go down shoulders to chest and back. Such skin diseases like acne and eczema may cause problems of lack of social acceptability. It causes problems like social acceptability or hurdles in marriage and jobs.

Matrimonial relations, stress, PMS and menstrual cycle affect and cause changes in skin. Bad effects in sun, due to environment, pollution, carbon particles, dust, etc. Sun damage awareness is less among the masses, due to less ozone the damages are getting intense.

Skin is the largest organ of human body. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defence against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Most of the skin problems are caused by infections and bacteria. Epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous. Infections and bacteria attack the outer layer of skin - epidermis.

Talking about Karachi, Dr Samdani said that overcrowding, poor living and unhygienic conditions contribute to scabies, infections and most of skin diseases. “Skin disease can be inherent, or can be caused by allergies and internal disorders of the body,” he said. Eczema is of various kinds that can be inherent like atopic eczema or it can also be caused by allergies.
Allergies that cause eczema results due to, Nickel in gold causes such allergies among females, in male cement and chemicals direct contact causes skin diseases. Eczema and skin diseases cause by other associate diseases. Solar damage is important. It causes eczema, allergies, reaction, extreme skin and chronic skin cancer.

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