Did you know that by far skin cancer is the most common cancers in the United States that at least 20 people die each day from this disease? Today, skin cancer is the most widespread form of cancer, accounting for about 50% of all cancer cases reported annually, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS, 2010). Like the others common cancers, skin cancer it can occurs in both younger and older people. Nowadays we all enjoy being outdoors or exposed to the sun or even being in tanning beds, not knowing how hazardous sunburns and tanning is to our health causing serious damages to the skin, called Skin Cancer, if we do not protect daily our skin properly. Skin Cancer, is a disease that can happen to anyone and anywhere in our body that can easily be prevented if detected early by knowing what are the causes leading to it, symptoms or any signs, and lastly learn ways to reduce the risk of getting skin cancer.
Skin cancer is a disease that begins in cells, the building blocks that make up the biggest organ in the human body, which is the skin. Normally in the human body, skin cells grown and divide into many to form new cells taking place the cells that grow old and die. Therefore, skin cancer occurs when the orderly process goes wrong so there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal meaning that it leads the skin cells to multiply rapidly and grow onto others tissues forming malignant tumors. Even though skin cancer forms in the skin, they are classified based on the types of cells where the cancer starts; Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
While basal cell and squamous cell are the most common out of the three between people because they begin in parts of the skin that has been exposed to excessive sun...
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...ealthy young or old people can have skin cancer no matter if they do not have the risks factors of mutation error in cells, weak immune system, or family history of cancer, because the main reason is Ultraviolet rays which everyone is exposed to it by being outdoors. Skin cancer can be easily prevented if it is detected early by checking yourself regularly to make sure of any unusual marks or bumps and most important is to protect yourself by applying sunscreen, staying in shade if it is possible especially between 11am to 2pm, and avoiding any indoor tanning. All of us are at risk for skin cancer as The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 out of 7 people will develop some of this type of cancer in their lifetime.
Enjoy the sun safely by protecting your skin and don’t become one of the 20 people that die every day from this disease that can easily be prevented!
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.
Basil Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It usually begins as a mole (skin melanoma) on your body; however this cancer can also begin in other areas such as your eye or intestines. This cancer is also the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If diagnosed and treated early, it is almost always curable. There are roughly 2.8 million cases of this cancer diagnosed each year
...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.
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.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, so it isn’t surprising that skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, affecting 4% of all cases but causing 79% of skin cancer deaths. The average age of people diagnosed with Melanoma is between 45 and 55, although 25% of cases occur in people under 40. About 10% of all people with melanoma have a family history of melanoma. You are at increased risk of developing melanoma if there is a family history of melanoma in one or more of your first-degree relatives like a parent, child, brother or sister.
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.
The impacts of this behaviour not only prevent people to get sunburn or skin erythema but also can reduce the risk of skin cancer. In addition, it can raise the awareness of sun protection so as to change the people’s attitude of sun protection.
Melanoma is the most dangerous of skin cancer. Melanoma is complicated from how it happens, the signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment. There are so many types of cancers, but Melanoma is a cancer that you do not hear of as often.
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.
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 ...
As summer fast approaches, everyone begins to make their plans for some fun at the beach. This is time for one to get a nice tan from the UV rays of the sun. Some might get a tan at a tanning salon even before they hit the waves. But is the aftermath really worth the tan? Is there even any way to get a safe tan? The effects of the UV light have both positive and negative consequences on the body. Vitamin D intake and phototherapy are both positive factors. Negatively, UV light can lead to skin cancer and eye damage. While the sun contains a greater amount of UVB, the “burning” rays which are more harmful, the tanning beds still gives the skin direct interaction with UVA rays, which can penetrate deep into the skin, causing other problems.
Skin Cancer is caused by hereditary factors, overexposure to the sun, and weak immune systems. (“Skin Cancer” infotrac.com) One reason people tend to get skin cancer is when someone in your family has passed their genes down to you, known as hereditary. Normally hereditary is one of the causes in the development of melanoma. For all types of skin cancers, overexposure of the skin to UV radiation in sunlight is the most frequently blamed source of skin cancer. “Research suggests that sunburns received early in one’s childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life” (“Skin Cancer” infotrac.com). For example, when someone gets sunburned, you usually don’t know till ten to twenty years after and that’s why people don’t get skin cancer till they reach their twenties.
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.