A teen who created a soap that could "transform skin cancer treatment" was chosen as the 2024 Kid of the Year by Time magazine and Time for Kids.Heman Bekele from Annandale, Virginia, is a 15-year-old scientist "who could change how we treat skin cancer," stated Time in its announcement released Thursday.
"It’s absolutely incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life," Bekele told Time. "That’s the reason I started this all in the first place.”
The teen was chosen after he created a soap that could be a "more accessible way to deliver medication to treat skin cancers, including melanoma," the magazine said in a news release.
In 2023, 3M and Discovery Education named Bekele America’s Top Young Scientist when he was just 14 years old after he competed against nine other finalists, USA TODAY previously reported. Bekele also won a $25,000 cash prize. Should you get screened for skin cancer? As summer approaches, here's what to know. It's that time of year when temperatures begin to rise and Americans eagerly leave their houses to enjoy some much-needed Vitamin D.
But as summer nears, health experts are warning against the consequences of excessive sun exposure. "Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States," said Dr. Susan Massick, associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Skin cancer "can be preventable to a certain extent and is related to the amount of sun exposure that people happen to have."
Here's what experts want you to know about skin cancer, including symptoms, risks and how to prevent it.
The most common types of skin cancer
Basal and squamous cell skin cancer
The American Cancer Society says these cancers are most often found in areas exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck and arms. While they’re common, they’re also typically treatable. Squamous and basal cells are in the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis. About 8 in 10 skin cancers are basal cell cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. While it’s rare for it to spread to other parts of the body, if it's not removed completely then it can come back in the same place on the skin.
Melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma is much less common compared to other types of skin cancer, but it can be dangerous because it's more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not treated early, the American Cancer Society says.
It occurs when cells called melanocytes which make a brown pigment called melanin and give the skin its tan or brown colour start to grow out of control. While melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, it’s more likely to start on the chest and back, legs, or neck and face.
Who should get screened for skin cancer?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says more research is needed before recommending routine screening for skin cancer in adults and teens with no risk factors and who aren't showing symptoms, according to updated guidelines released Tuesday.
If you're at higher risk for skin cancer, you may want to get regular screening, experts say. This includes if you have: A personal history of basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, or a family history of melanoma
Many moles or atypical moles have irregular borders, different colours or maybe asymmetrical. Many actinic keratosis spots are lesions that are grey or scaly patches of skin in areas of the body that are often exposed to the sun.
Risk factors for skin cancer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anyone can get skin cancer, but people with certain characteristics may be more at risk than others. This includes people with Light skin colour
Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun
Blue or green eyes, or blond or red hair
A large number of moles
Older age
People who tend to work outside or have chronic sun exposure may also be more at risk for skin cancer and may want to get regularly screened, Massick said.
Skin cancer signs and symptoms
Generally, skin cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, according to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center but some symptoms may include:
A suspicious spot: This could be a new spot or an existing spot that changes in size, shape or colour. The spot could also be itchy or painful, scaly, or red and rough.
Other skin manifestations, like A non-healing sore that bleeds or develops a crust
A red- or skin-coloured shiny bump on the top of the skin
A growth with a raised border and central crust or bleeding
A wart-like growth
A scar-like growth without a well-defined border
Massick recommends regularly jotting down or taking photos of any visual skin changes: "Cameras on phones are so effective and are a good way to try to keep track of moles."
Ways to prevent skin cancer
Experts advise avoiding indoor tanning, keeping a healthy lifestyle and practising sun safety, like Staying in the shade
Wearing clothing that covers arms and legs
Wearing a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears and neck
Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes against UVA and UVB rays
Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 15 or higher."Like anything, we want to keep a healthy lifestyle," Massick said. "No smoking, staying hydrated, a well-balanced diet."
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What sunscreens are safe to use?
In recent years, popular sunscreen brands have voluntarily recalled certain products after testing showed they were contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical called benzene. While benzene is not a listed ingredient in sunscreen, experts say these products may have been contaminated during manufacturing. "It looks like to be localized to the aerosol types of sunscreens and the sunscreen companies are very much aware and focused on testing to make sure there's no contaminants," Massick said.
In addition to spray products, consumers may be wary of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, a chemical that's readily absorbed through the skin, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization. Research suggests there may be some health concerns related to oxybenzone and the Food and Drug Administration has requested more data on the chemical's effects when absorbed through the skin and potential allergic reactions, the nonprofit said.
Massick recommends using mineral sunscreens have zinc oxide titanium dioxide, or both. "Sunscreen ingredients are not carcinogens and they're very safe to use, and the byproduct of not using them is an increased risk of skin cancer from the sun itself," she said.