In 2014, approximately 76,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is the most common and most dangerous skin cancer there is. Anyone can get melanoma when not protecting their skin. Throughout this paper there will be discussed the causes, treatments, protection and prevention, and also the effects melanoma has on the human body. Melanoma skin cancer is a cancer that Americans should be more aware of and should take greater precautions when exposing their skin to the sun.
Melanoma skin cancer has multiple causes. The biggest and newest cause of melanoma skin cancer is a result of tanning in salon tanning beds. As said by Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, consulting professor, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC “What they may not realize is that no matter whether you tan or burn, a tan from the sun or tanning beds damages the skin and may cause wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.” Now more than ever every day routines consist of going to the tanning salon. Adults are beginning to take their children to start tanning at young ages exposing them to the UV radiation that causes melanoma.
Outward appearances along with genetics have a lot to do with chances of receiving melanoma. Fair skinned individuals with either blonde or red hair with blue or green eyes are more susceptible to get skin cancer. If one is to have close relatives who have been diagnosed with skin cancer this puts individuals at a higher risk. If you live at high altitudes, live in sunny areas (nearest the equator), have had one or more blistering sunburns during childhood, and use tanning devices this puts a person at rick for melanoma skin cancer. Certain types of moles and birthmarks may become cancerous.
Not only can melan...
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...nscreen. Another way or protecting your skin without using sunscreen is to just cover up.
When protecting yourself against development of melanoma skin cancer a person should wear sunscreen. Sunscreens come in a variety of types such as creams, gels, lotions, wax sticks, and sprays. Sunscreens used should be at least 15 sun protection factor (SPF) or greater. Some sunscreens lie about their actual SPF. It is always fine to use a greater SPF sunscreen then SPF 15. An individual should try to purchase water proof sunscreens. These tend to last a longer and work better. Sunscreens should be used year round. Remember to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside and to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Americans never think that they may get sun burnt on cloudy days when in fact on cloudy days 80% of the sun’s UV rays pass through the clouds.
Melanoma is an extremely important issue, as 75% of skin cancer deaths in Australia are attributed to melanoma, making it the most dangerous form of skin cancer in the country (AIHW 2010). The AIHW also states that Australia has the highest occurrence of melanoma in the world, with over 12,500 Australians being diagnosed annually, and having a recorded 1500 deaths each year. The Melanoma Institute of Australia states that melanoma is the “most common cancer in young Australians aged 15-39”, and that “rates have doubled in the 20 years from 1986-2006”. The incidence of melanoma is increasing more rapidly than any other major cancer. Owing to the high incidence and mortality rates of the disease in Australia, melanoma is the most life-threatening form of skin cancer in the country, making it a very serious non-communicable disease.
Malignant Melanoma is a type of malignant cancer that affects the melanocytes. A melanocyte produces the pigmentation in our skin and melanin gives us the color to our skin. These cells occur in the skin and can be found in other parts of the body. It is important to realize that melanoma can begin in any part of the body that can contain a melanocyte. Melanoma is considered less common than other skin cancers. It is a cancer that can be very dangerous if not detected early. Although in most cases it is diagnosed in time and can be cured. Many people are diagnosed with this cancer and it is said that 160,000 cases are diagnosed a year. ( ). In men a common site is on their back and for a woman is on their legs.
...ially during the hottest times of the day. Also, wearing protective sunscreen while outside is effective at reducing the impact of UV rays on skin.
..., you can sun bathe with sun screen on to protect your skin from some UV rays, but at the same time getting tan. Another alterative could be, spray on tanning, which is where your body gets sprayed with a shade to make you appear to be tan. Spray on tans last around five to ten days. The alternatives for getting tan are safer for you and your body. Next time you consider lying in the tanning bed, consider these alternatives.
Indoor Tanning beds are controversial and not without risk. The positives and negitives should be told straight up when going to a tanning salon. The risk of developing melanoma skin cancer from over exposure to UVA and UVB radiation has been proven and well documented by the medical field and research. There are a few benefits of using indoor tanning beds such as a positive mood boost, healing of some types of skin disorders and in the production of vitamin D. One must be educated about the use of indoor tanning before deciding to indulge and weigh the risks and benefits before making the decision to go tanning long term.
The major environmental risk factor for melanoma is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. People who have fair skin that burns or freckles easily need to be especially careful in the sun as protecting yourself against UV overexposure is an important way you can help reduce your risk of developing melanoma.
The PubMed Database was conducted for search the literature about the chosen health behavior. Key search terms were used: sun protective behavior, sun protective behavior AND project, sun protection* AND project, sun protective behavior AND questionnaire*, sun protection* AND trend* AND skin cancer. Limits including: publication date 10 years, free full text available, English. In addition, the age limitation is adults.
...udy done by the American Academy of Dermatology, 59 percent of tanners were unaware of all the threats that accompany using a tanning bed (Cassidy 2). Cassidy also states that this lack of awareness is partially due to the tanning salons not advertising all information about skin cancer (2). Many salons offer tanning lotions, which are much different than sunscreen lotions. While they may not advertise it as sunscreen, not all customers know the difference. Tanning lotion amplifies UV rays, causing one to absorb more rays more quickly. The lotion contains no sunscreen and does not protect the user from the radiation. Of course, such information is not presented when the salon may try to sell you the product. The unfortunate side effect of such misinformation is that people may contract serious diseases without knowing that those illnesses could have been prevented.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the biggest contributing factors of skin cancer. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays, however, recently tanning lamps and beds have become a popular source of these UV rays. There are three different types of UV rays: UVA rays, UVB rays, and UVC rays. UVB rays are the rays that cause most skin cancers because they have the most energy and do more damage quicker than UVA rays. UVB radiation causes skin cancer because of its damaging affect to the DNA of skin cells. However, most tanning beds give off UVA rays and these rays have recently been
Though skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and has more than a thousand types, there are so many ways to prevent it.Examples are, staying in the shade, especially during late morning and early afternoon. Whenever possible, put on sunscreen. Avoid tanning bed, booths, etc. at all costs. They are more dangerous than help. Keep areas covered where sun may expose more. Keep infants out of the sun. Their skin is thinner and more fragile than adults. Keep a close eye on your skin. The skin cancer foundation recommends a head to toe check monthly. Wear a hat and shades to prevent constant exposer to your head and eyes. The statistics of the people who have developed skin cancer and ones who have died because of it is alarming. Last year over 100,000 people were diagnosed with a cancer of the skin and an alarming number of over 12,000 died.
amount of UV exposure absorbed by a person is a direct result of the intensity of the light absorbed, the length of time of the exposure, and whether or not the skin was protected by clothing or sunscreen. Skin damage can be prevented by limiting when and how long one is exposed to sunlight, and by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen. Avoid exposure to sunlight during mid-day hours, when it is most intense. Tight weave clothing, and hats, protect against the sun's rays. Tanning beds, while popular, are also ...
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.
A report from the American Academy of Dermatology reports that “researchers estimate that indoor tanning may cause upwards of 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the United States each year. They also state that as little as one indoor tanning session increases your risk of developing skin cancer by SCC by 67% and BCC by 29%. Both of these agencies have fought hard to educate the public about the harmful effects of indoor tanning. They played a large part in getting federal and state legislation put in place providing some guide lines for tanning as well as having an age restriction put in place in 33
The first known use of sunscreen was in Ancient Greece and Egypt. They need it there because of the hot climate. The first time it was commercially produced was in 1936. The founder of sunscreen is also the founder of L'Oreal, French chemist Eugène Schueller. Another chemist, H. A. Milton Blake, brought sunscreen to Australia around the same time. Ancient Greeks used olive oil and Ancient Egyptians used extracts of rice, jasmine, and lupin plants to create sunscreen. These techniques are still used. Today sunscreen contains a mixture of organic and inorganic ingredients. The inorganic materials are enhanced with UVB. It absorbs the organic chemicals, cinnamates, octyl, methoxycinnamate , oara-aminobenzoic acid, and benzophenes. These organic chemicals convert the sun’s energy into harmless heat. Sunscreen’s purpose is to protect your skin from the sun. It is used to reflect or scatter the bright light from the sun away from your delicate skin. People apply sunscreen when there skin is not used to the sun or when the sun is very strong. The factor of sunscreen will tell you how long you can stay in the sun. If you apply a sunscreen that is 30, this means that you can stay in the sun 30 times longer before you burn. Sunscreen acts as bullet proof vest against the sun.
Probably the most commonly used word by your dermatologist, your beautician, your pharmacist or just the girl next door, and for a good reason. The sun’s damaging UV rays can single-handedly destroy your skin over time and in some cases even cause irreparable damage. It will burn your skin, dry it out, destroy collagen fibers and predispose you to cancer. Whether it’s a scorching sun or not, whether you are outdoors or not, sunscreen is an everyday must-wear. You have a choice.