The sun can leave dangerous traces on our skin, and doctors warn that melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, continues to be a major risk to Romanians. A free screening campaign, held on the coast, has revealed over 100 suspicions of precancerous lesions and skin cancers. An alarm signal that shows the importance of dermatological controls and prevention.
Coast alarm: tourists detected with suspicions of leather leather archive
More than five thousand tourists benefited from free consultations, between 11 and 16 August, within the prevention campaign “Assume to be healthy!”, Organized by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”.
Dermatologists, endocrinologists, pediatricians and pneumologists evaluated tourists on the coast, in the south of the Romanian resorts, finding numerous conditions in the early stages.
The most worrying results come from the dermatological area: 17 suspicions of Bazo-cell carcinoma, 29 actin keratoses, 68 atypical dysplastic nevi and 2 melanoma suspicions. All these cases need additional investigations, monitoring or quick treatment.
The campaign “Assume to be healthy”, held on the coast
Melanoma: rare cancer but with high mortality
“It is an alarm signal. Even if the melanoma is considered a neoplasia, a rare skin cancer, somewhere in 5% of the total number, aggression and mortality in this type of tumor is very high.”warns the oncologist, Ioana Luca, an oncologist, in an interview for Adevărul.
The official data show that around 1,500 melanoma patients are detected in Romania.
“It seems a lot to me and, unfortunately, the presentation to the doctor in these stages in which surgery can be intervened, and the surgery can completely remove the tumor and heal, when the melanoma exceeds the skin, things are no longer as simple, on the contrary. The prognosis will become extremely reserved and the risk of death is very high ”explains the specialist.
Statistically, 3 out of 4 patients die of skin cancer, due to melanoma. Gravity comes from biological aggression and late diagnosis.
“About 1 in 3 patients with melanoma are diagnosed in local or even metastatic stages, which involves surgery, adjuvant treatment then, respectively immunotherapy. Much larger complications ”, the doctor added.
Sun exposure and risk factors
The main culprit remains excessive exposure to UV radiation.
“The main risk factor is excessive exposure to the sun. The fact that we stay once and then do not expose ourselves with years does not increase the risk, significantly. If we have a repeated exposure to the sun and, with age, year by year, an insult to the skin is also increased, the risk increases ”, emphasizes Dr. Luca.
Romania is, in fact, in an area with a high level of ultraviolet radiation
“We are a white breed, we are in a country where the level of exposure to ultraviolet is quite high. I know there is a scale, and we are somewhere at 8-10, which is considered a level of risk,” she added.
The UV index, the one that measures the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the ground is usually from 0 to 11+. Levels 8-10 are considered very high, and the risk of sunburn occurs rapidly. The genetic factor is not to be neglected either.
“If we know that in the family we have a relative of the first degree that had melanoma it is considered that the patient’s risk is greater than the general population. ” In addition, doctors also draw attention to the eye melanoma, less known.said Ioana Luca.
How we protect ourselves at sea
For tourists on the coast, the advice of the oncologist is the classic ones – sun exposure only at certain time intervals and the use of SPF cream.
“The more white we are, the more open our skin, it is mandatory to use creams with a protective factor. Must be at least 30 and it is very important to be reapplied at least 2-3 hours, everas well And after we enter the sea ”the doctor recommends us.
In addition to the protective cream, other simple rules can save lives: the state in the shade, avoiding exposure after 10:30 in the morning and protecting young children, extremely vulnerable.
SPF cream, mandatory at the archive photo beach
Doctors point out that lesions do not only appear in the skin. The eyes are also susceptible. In this context, sunglasses become much more than just an accessory.
“These lesions can also occur at the eye level. Wearing glasses with correct protection factor and at the eye level helps to protect and reduce the risk of occurrence ”says the specialist.
When should we go to the dermatologist
An annual dermatological control should be standard, considers the specialist.
“I believe that an annual dermatological consultation would be useful for each of us. Any changes can be observed from the rush and, if the doctor considers it, so that we do not overcome the moment when this tumor can be surgically healed.”
Dr. Luca tells us and what we need to be careful about:
“Definitely, not all mole, all warts, birth signs are or can become melanomas. If there can be frequently traumatized, by wearing different clothes, at one point, this repeated traumatization, with chronic inflammation, can cause melanoma.”
Campaign on the coast: an unexpected success
The doctors involved were impressed by the opening of tourists on the coast against screening.
“The impact he had this program seemed extraordinary. I did not think that such a large number of people would go to consultations ”says Dr. Ioana Luca.
In his opinion, such initiatives are extremely useful, especially for patients in areas without easy access to dermatology offices.
“I saw that every time the doctor went to meet the patient, it was much more effective than waiting for the patient to come to the office. Of course, if you live in Bucharest or in a big city, it is relatively easy to reach the dermatologist. For patients who do not have easy access to a dermatology office, these campaigns targeted exactly on the types of neoplasms for whom screening and prevention are essential can even make the difference over time. “concluded the specialist.
The prevention campaign “Assume to be healthy!”, Reached the fifth edition, held between August 11 and 16, 2025, in the resorts of Olimp, Neptun, Venus, Saturn and Mangalia.
In tents specially arranged on the beach, dermatologists, endocrinologists, pediatricians and pneumologists have evaluated over 5,200 tourists, finding numerous diseases in the early stages, including dozens of precancerous lesions and melanoma. The results of the campaign show how important prevention and early diagnosis are.
