With around 400 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Qatar between 2010 and 2015, experts at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) advises that simple precautions can lower the risk of contracting skin cancer.
Dr Mohamed Ussama Al Homsi, Oncology Senior Consultant, said skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, with one million people in the United States diagnosed each year with some form of the disease.
According to him, those at greatest risk of developing skin cancer are individuals with fair skin complexion and those with specific genetic disorders that deplete skin pigment, such as albinism. Dr Al Homsi says that limiting sun exposure, conducting regular skin self-examinations, and having check-ups with a healthcare provider are important factors in reducing one’s risk of developing skin cancer. “The best time to conduct a self-exam is immediately after showering or bathing and while standing in front of a full-length mirror and using a hand-held mirror,” he suggests.
