Guard your skin’s memory
About Actinic Keratosis
Affecting mostly elderly people, actinic keratosis (AK) is a common reality that can be manifested and developed in different ways, as a consequence of overexposure to UV rays1. AK lesions are usually small, crusty patches of skin showing different colors, from flesh-toned to red or pink, feeling dry, rough to the touch, and sometimes may be invisible at first sight.2 However, they are recurrent and could eventually lead to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).3-8
They’re just the tip of the iceberg; a superficial manifestation of a whole story that hides behind.
Our skin has a unique story to tell: a story of a life full of emotions, moments, experiences… and overexposure to UV rays.
It is time to listen to what the marks on our skin are whispering to us, so that we can act in time.
Because behind each AK mark there is a unique story that needs to be heard.
If we listen to what our marks have to tell us, we can respond in time. Since 40-80% of skin cancers* evolve from simple AK lesions9-11, it is really important to pay attention to the appearance and evolution of any marks so that they can be properly checked and treated.
And this is the message that moved Almirall to launch the #1stAKGlobalDay’s campaign.
*Squamous skin cancers.
For more information about the campaign, visit Euromelanoma's site.
#AKGlobalDay
During Skin Cancer Month in May, in collaboration with Euromelanoma and the Skin Cancer Foundation, we will launch an international awareness campaign. Our goal is to educate the general public about actinic keratosis and emphasize the importance of early detection and prevention.
To achieve this, we will implement a social media communication plan dedicated to educating people about actinic keratosis and encouraging them to consult a dermatologist for any suspicious skin marks.
To maximize our impact, we will also run a challenge campaign. This initiative will begin with the collaboration of international dermatologists and aims to engage the general public as well.
How to participate in the challenge:
In order to join the challenge, participants should take a picture or video of themselves wearing a hat and post it using the hashtags #HatsOnForAK #GlobalAKDay #GuardYourSkinsMemories #ActinicKeratosis. To keep an ongoing chain of posts and participants, each person should also tag someone else to encourage them to participate in the Hats on Challenge.
Start your reply with:
| Looks good! | This is on track | I can help with this one |
References
1. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis/. Last access: May 2022.
2. Peris K, et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2007;5(11):970-9
3. Stockfleth E, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(2):298-306.
4. Criscione VD, et al. Cancer. 2009;115:2523-2530.
5. Fernandez-Figueras MT, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(5):991-997.
6. Werner RN et al. Br. J. Dermatol 2013;169: 502–518.
7. Skov T. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2018;8:425-33.
8. Reinhold UA .review. Future Oncol 2017. Lond. Engl. 13: 2413–2428.
9. Stockfleth E, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(2):298-306.
10. Criscione VD, et al. Cancer. 2009;115:2523-2530.
11. Fernández-Figueras MT, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(5):991-997.