Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a disease that can affect any one. Skin cancer includes many types that can be classified as severe or superficial. Consequently, treatement of skin cancer depends on the degree of severity a person has. In the following paper, we will shed lights on the types of skin cancer and its causes. Finally, we will investigate how to treat the different types of cancer and how to avoid it.
Skin cancer is a term used to describe cancer in skin tisssues. The skin is made of several layers. Skin cancer is classified according to the layer it develops in. Skin cancer is classified according to the layer it develops in. The epidermes is the skin’s outer layer and is made up squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes (common cancer, 2000, P.2)
Skin cancer occurs twice often in men than in women. The highest rates of skin cancer occurs in South Africa and Australia. It is common among white skinned people but rare in dark skinned people. (Bair, 1991, P. 367) Statistics show that the most common cancer is skin cancer. Over six hundred thousand people in the United States have skin cancer. Moreover, in every three new cases of cancer, one happens to be skin cancer. Approximately forty to fifty percent of people who reach sixty-five have skin cancer ( Dollinger, 1995, P. 579)
Skin cancer is of three types: Basal cell cancer (BCC), Squamous cell carcinoma, and Melanomia. To begin, Basal cell cancer (BCC) is the most common of all cancers. It carries this name because it develops on the outermost layer of the epidermis. BCC is made of three types; the most common of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a flesh colored (cream to pink), round, translucent tumour. Basal cell carcinoma tumors grow slowly sideways. The second type of BCC is the pigmented lesion that appears as a blue, brown, or black tumour, the third type of BCC is the superficial type that appears as a red often-scaly localized plaque. If BCC is not treated properly, it may crust, ulcerate, and sometimes cause bleeding ( Dollinger, 1995, P. 579).
Skin Cancer 3
The second type of skin cancer is squamous cell cancer (SCC). Its origin is from the cells that make the protective “ keratin” of the epidermis. SCC occurs in the areas of the skin that were damaged by ultraviolet rays. SCC is a red, well defined plaque and may turn to an ulcer or sca...
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Moreover, some moles can be considered as a pre-cancerous stage. Abnormal moles feel hard, itchy, and begin to bleed. Other ones may change in diameter ( some become larger than six millimeters); Thus they are considered dangerous.
Finally, red and brown patches on the skin can develop anywhere in the body and especially appear in the neck and face area ( areas most exposed to the sun). ( Skin cancer, symptoms, management, and treatment, 2000,p.1)
In the final analysis, scientists and doctors have given people many “tips” for avoiding skin cancer. These “tips” can be summarized in the following points . First avoiding exposure to the sun between eleven a.m. and three p.m. At this time, sunlight can be very strong, and wearing tight clothes and hats to cover the face and the neck region. Secondly, using sunscreen during exposure (the best recommended is the one with SPF 15, ) and wearing sunglasses because UV rays are extremely harmful for the eyes. The last advice is that lips must also be protected from UV rays, and that babies under six months must not be exposed to sunlight as much as possible. ( Skin Cancer, symptoms, management and treatment, 2000, P.4).
The Cancer Council NSW and NSW Health Department Skin Cancer Prevention Strategic Plan for New South Wales (2001) Gladesville NSW The Cancer Counsil New South Wales and NSW Health Department 2001
The skin is made up of layers called epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer and consists mainly of dead cells and a protein called keratin. The epidermis is avascular, meaning there are no blood vessels in this layer. It contains a few nerve receptors for touch and pain. The cells found in the epidermis are stem cells, which become the next cell described, keratinocytes. These cells manufacture the protein keratin and are the most abundant cells in the epidermis. Melanocytes are found in the epidermis and they create the pigment called
Skin cancer is a significant public health issue in Australia. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun in the UVA and UVB wavelengths is the primary cause. Australia has been a world leader in efforts to protect the ozone layer, the main line of defense against ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. Ultraviolet radiation induces the formation of thymine dimers that cause mutation of skin cells if not repaired before DNA replication. Mutations of tumor suppressor genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Ultraviolet radiation also causes immunosuppresion that allows skin cancers to become established. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are types of skin cancer caused by sun exposure, though each form is associated with a different pattern of exposure. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, due to a combination of tropical latitude, fair-skinned population, outdoor lifestyle, and high amount of ambient ultraviolet radiation. Widespread opinions about tanning and health benefits of sunlight lead many Australians to intentionally overexpose themselves to the sun. State cancer councils have developed sun safety and awareness campaigns, such as “Slip! Slop! Slap!” and “SunSmart,” to educate the population about sun exposure and encourage early detection of skin cancers. Gradual changes in knowledge and behavior indicate that the fight against skin cancer can be won.
What is skin cancer ? first, Skin is the largest organ of the body . it gives our body protection from harms, injuries and infections. It also organize the body temperature and dispose of waste substances through the glands . out layer of the skin is called the epidermis and the layer underneath is known as the dermis . Skin cancer is type of disease where malignant cancer cells are to be found the outer layer of a person's skin and is the uncontrolled development of the irregular skin cells .It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to duplicate rapidly and form malignant tumors. there are three main types of skin cancer which are basal
In melanoma some common signs and symptoms are the doctor may notice an abnormal area in the skin that may look unusual. A mole, sore, lump, or growth on the skin can be a sign of melanoma. A sore or growth that bleeds, or changes in skin coloring may also be a sign of skin cancer. Your doctor may run several test to detect if melanoma is...
Superficial spreading melanoma spreads slowly on the top layers of the skin before it may begin to penetrate deeper layers of skin. A flat or slightly raised, discolored (tan, brown, black, red, blue or white), and asymmetrical patch of skin. are likely indicators of its presence. In this regard, superficial spreading melanoma may begin with previously benign mole. This type of melanoma is more common in young people, and it accounts for 70 percent of all melanoma diagnosis.
Basal Cell Carcinoma often abbreviated as (BCC) is the most frequently appearing form of skin cancer. They are also referred to as Basal Cell Cancer. It was discovered along the way as skin cancer was being treated as different types with no specific period. The BCCs’ are uncontrolled growths that normally arise in the skin’s basal cells. These cells lie in the deepest layer of the epidermis which is the outermost layer of the skin. BCC’s are normally caused by a combination of two things; one is cumulative UV exposure and the other is intense occasional UV exposure. The most vulnerable, according to a research done, tend to be people with fair hair, blue eyes and fair skin and this is because they tend to burn easily. The BCCs’ may first appear as a small white flesh or a colored bump that may bleed. Other normal appearances may look like open sores, red patches on the skin, pink growths, shiny bumps or scars. 80% of Basal Cell Carcinoma cases are mainly found in the head and neck that is the body parts that are mainly exposed to the sun. The nose also tends to be most vulnerable and according to a recent study done, 40% of BCC that were diagnosed on the head and neck were adjacent to the nose.
Symptoms women often start noticing that indicate the possibility of having a cancerous tumor in the breast include a lump on the underarm or armpit, thickening of the nipple, fluid (not milk) leaking from the nipple, change in the size of the nipple or breast, changes of color, shape or texture of the nipple or the areola, and unusual pain in the breast or in the armpit (Stephan., 2010). These are the symptoms women usually start noticing before go to the doctor to ge...
Skin cancer has been overlooked for the past few decades because the medical community has been focusing more on internal cancers. But with in exponential rise in recorded cases of skin cancer, it is grabbing attention now. Skin cancer is a serious problem and society is brushing it off so people might sport a nice tan. Even though skin cancer is not the type cancer that people see everyday or have family members develop it as often as say, breast cancer or prostate cancer, that does not make it any less of an important item to keep a look out for.
Sun shine contain ultraviolet ray which can cause the sunburn or even skin cancer. According to Cancer Council in Australia, Australia has highest incident rate of skin cancer in the world. More than 430000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. There are approximately 60 percent of people who have got skin cancer will survive greater than five years after they diagnosis (Cancer Council Australia, 2014). In order to protect people under the sun, the sun protective behaviour is significant necessary.
Most forms of skin cancer are found on areas of the body that experience constant exposure to sunlight. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are one main cause of skin cancer, but artificial sources of UV rays have also been proven to be a contributing factor.
Most parents remembered hearing about the importance of protecting their children from the sun, yet children are still playing in the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing. Many people these days are not taking skin cancer seriously after knowing its significance. Skin cancer has been a growing problem in the United States and millions of people have suffered from it every year. The three most common skin cancers are Melanoma, Basal cell, and Squamous cell, which can cause bumps, sores, growths, etc. Skin cancer is a deadly disease with many causes, but the advantage is that it can be prevented.
The first sign of melanoma is often a change in the size, shape, or color of an existing mole or the appearance of a new mole. Men most commonly develop melanoma on the trunk, particularly the back, and women on the legs or arms. Melanoma develops in a manner similar to other cancer types. A cell's DNA genes, which control cell division and reproduction, become damaged. The damaged genes cause the cell to divide and grow without control or order, eventually becoming a malignant tumor.
Benign tumors look similar to the tissues that they came from and develop slowly. The tumor remains in the same area that the tumor originated in. Malignant tumors are formed from cells that do not resemble the tissue that they came from. They vary in shape and size. This enables pieces of the tumor to break off and spread to other places in the body.
The high incidence of skin cancer in Australia is the reason for our choice of