FACT SHEET

ACTINICA® LOTION

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world1. Non-melanoma skin cancer

(NMSC) refers to a group of cancers that develops in the upper layers of the skin. Exposure

to ultra-violet (UV) light is a main factor in causing NMSC2.

Who is at risk?

Apart from chronic UV exposure, patient-specific risk factors include patients with a

weakened immune system. People who have received organ transplants are usually given

medicines that weaken their immune system to prevent their body from rejecting the new

organ (immunosupressants) resulting in them being at increased risk. People with HIV/AIDS

and those with a previous occurrence of skin cancer are also at increased risk, as well as

people who have had chemotherapy for malignant disease, or have leukaemia, lupus and

rheumatoid arthritis3.

An opportunity for prevention A new medical device, Actinica® Lotion, has been developed especially for people who are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer due to UV exposure. How does it work? Actinica Lotion contains a combination of modern photostable UV filters, which absorb, reflect and scatter a broad spectrum of UV radiation. It is highly effective in protecting skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) as well as from ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. Its UVB and UVA protection level meets the highest category, “very high UV protection”, as established by the European Commission recommendation. It is the first and only medical device with proven effectiveness in the prevention of various forms of NMSC demonstrated in a clinical study4.

NMSC is not always avoidable, but the best way to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer is to avoid overexposure to UV light. Especially for at-risk patients such as those who have:

Had an organ transplant and are consequently immuno-compromised

Undergone chemotherapy for malignant disease

HIV/AIDS

Leukaemia

Lupus

Rheumatoid arthritis

A personal history of NMSC

Two years of regular use of Actinica Lotion led to a 53% reduction of actinic

keratoses lesions and prevented the development of new squamous cell

carcinoma (types of NMSC)4.

Actinica Lotion is Swiss-made by Spirig Pharma, a company of Galderma, ensuring the

highest standards of product quality and reliability. There are various design features that will

improve compliance with this preventative measure:

1. Minimisation of the whitening effect, greasiness and sweaty feeling that is

characteristic of other sun-protections products

2. The lotion does not require re-application as with standard sun-protection products

3. The dispenser has a specifically designed dosage pump which corresponds to a

dosage table to ensure users apply the correct amount (as shown below).

About Galderma

Galderma is one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies within the UK. Focused exclusively within the field of dermatology, the UK portfolio encompasses prescription products, over-the-counter medications and corrective and aesthetic procedures.

Galderma’s mission has been to provide innovative medications, that in addition to being efficacious and safe, are also pleasant and easy for patients to use on a day to day basis. As the leading pharmaceutical company in the field of dermatological research, they aim to continually apply this philosophy in bringing forward new medications to meet the needs of UK dermatologists and their patients.

Many people at heightened risk of NMSC may wish to consider Actinica Lotion to help protect their skin and prevent skin damage that can lead to certain forms of skin cancer.

References

1 NHS website. Skin cancer (non-melanoma) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-skin/Pages/Introduction.aspx Last

accessed October 2013 2 The British Association of Dermatologists. Squamous cell carcinoma patient information leaflet.

http://www.bad.org.uk/site/876/default.aspx Last accessed October 2013 3 Skin Cancer Foundation. Immunosuppression and skin cancer facts. http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-

cancer-facts/weakened-immune-system-can-lead-to-skin-cancer Last accessed October 2013 4 Ulrich C et al. Prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer in organ transplant patients by regular use of a sunscreen: a 24

months, prospective, case-control study. British Journal of Dermatology. 2009. 161:78-84.

ACT/010/0214 Date of preparation: February 2014

FACT SHEET

Understanding Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

What is non-melanoma skin cancer?

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the

world1. With an estimated 100,000 new cases of NMSC per year in the UK1, there is

concern that rates of incidence and morbidity of NMSCs are increasing2. In 2011, there were

585 deaths from NMSC in the UK alone3.

NMSC refers to a group of cancers that develop in the upper layers of the skin - it is more

common but less aggressive than melanoma skin cancer. Exposure to ultra-violet (UV) light

is a main factor in causing NMSC4.

NMSC is not always preventable, but the best way to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer is to avoid overexposure to UV light, especially in at-risk patients such as those who are immunosuppressed following organ transplant, people who have undergone chemotherapy for malignant disease, and those with HIV infection. What is actinic keratosis? Actinic keratoses are dry scaly patches of skin that are caused by excessive sun exposure over many years. They are often found on the backs of the hands and forearms, the face and ears, the scalp in balding men and the lower legs in women4.

Actinic kerotoses are pink, red or brown in colour and range in width from 0.5 to 3cm5. They

only tend to be seen in people over the age of 40. Sometimes the skin can become very

thick over them and occasionally they can look like horns or spikes.

The development of actinic keratoses is a sign that the underlying skin is damaged from

many years of sun exposure, and this cannot be reversed. They indicate that the individual

has a higher than average risk of developing skin cancer5.

Fair-skinned, blue-eyed, red or blonde-haired individuals, who burn easily in the sun, are at

particular risk. Men are more affected than women and people who have lived or worked

abroad in a sunny place or who have worked outdoors or enjoy outdoor hobbies are also at

increased risk.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimated that more than

23% of the UK population aged 60 and above have actinic keratoses5. It is important that

they are detected and treated as left untreated they may develop into the more serious

squamous cell carcinoma.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the cells lining the top of the epidermis (the top layer of

skin) and accounts for approximately one-fifth of NMSCs6. It is the second most common

form of skin cancer in the UK7. Squamous cell carcinoma presents as a firm red lump or a

flat, scaly and crusted scab-like lesion that does not heal.

If a squamous cell carcinoma is left untreated for too long there is a small risk (4%) that it

may spread to other parts of the body, and this can be serious1.

NMSC in ‘at-risk’ populations

Apart from chronic UV exposure, patient-specific risk factors include the occurrence of a

previous skin cancer as well as having a weakened immune system. For example, people

who have received organ transplants are usually given medicines that weaken their immune

system to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ (immuno-suppressants). In these

immunsuppressed patients the body is less able to find and destroy the damaged skin cells.

NMSC represents one of the key challenges to long term care as skin cancer in

immunosuppressed patients can be unusually aggressive8.

Organ transplant recipients are 100 times more likely to develop NMSC than the

general population9.

The rate of skin cancer in people who have had transplants can be as high as 70% in

the 20 years following the transplant10.

People with HIV/AIDS are also at increased risk of skin cancer, they are seven times

more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population11.

Other conditions that can increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas

include people with leukaemia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis11.

Current options for ‘at-risk’ populations

Although the exact causes of NMSC are not known, it is clear that UV exposure has a damaging effect. It is possible to identify people who are at increased risk of skin cancer, and this means there is an opportunity to turn protection into prevention.

The current options that are available for at-risk populations are:

1. Sun-smart behaviour - avoiding spending the hottest part of the day in the sun. However, this is not always practical or desirable, especially for those that work outside.

2. Textile sun protection - covering up the skin with long sleeved shirts, trousers and

hats.

3. Sunscreen application - sunscreen or sun tan lotion works by either reflecting or

absorbing some of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to protect the skin from sun damage.

Broad spectrum sunscreens block both UVA and UVB radiation and are therefore

more protective.

References 1 NHS website. Skin cancer (non-melanoma) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-

skin/Pages/Introduction.aspx Last accessed October 2013 2 Madan V, Lear JT, Szeimies RM. Non-melanoma skin cancer. Lancet 2010;375(9715):673-85.

3 Cancer Research UK website. Skin cancer statistics. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-

info/cancerstats/types/skin/ Last accessed October 2013 4 The British Association of Dermatologists website. Squamous cell carcinoma patient information leaflet.

http://www.bad.org.uk/site/876/default.aspx Last accessed October 2013 5 NHS Choices website. Actinic keratoses overview. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/solar-

keratosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx Last accessed October 2013 6 National Cancer Intelligence Network. Non-melanoma skin cancer in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and

Ireland. http://www.ncin.org.uk/view?rid=2178 Last accessed October 2013 7 Macmillan Cancer Support. Types of skin cancer.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Skin/Aboutskincancer/Typesofskincancer.aspx Last accessed October 2013 8 Gerlini, Romagnoli and Pimpinelli. Skin cancer and immunosuppression. Critical Reviews in

Oncology/Hematology. 2005 Oct;56(1):127-36 9 Lindelof B, Sigurgeirsson B, Gabel H et al. Incidence of skin cancer in 5356 patients following organ

transplantation. Br J Dermatol 2000; 143:513–19 10

American Cancer Society website. What are the risk factors for basal and squamous cell skin cancers. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-basalandsquamouscell/detailedguide/skin-cancer-basal-and-squamous-cell-risk-factors Last accessed October 2013 11

Skin Cancer Foundation website. Immunosuppression and skin cancer facts. http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/weakened-immune-system-can-lead-to-skin-cancer Last accessed October 2013 ACT/013/0214 Date or preparation: February 2014