Skin Cancer: The Stealth Killer
Cancer has been an active concern in our society for the past couple decades, since we truly discovered the nature of cancer and the potency it brings along with it. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that scientists were beginning to truly understand the origin of cancer. Scientists dating back all the way to the Renaissance, when they first began performing autopsies to learn more about the human body and form, noticed abnormalities but it never clicked that it was something much worse than it seemed. Research has continued since then, and it has continued to thrive even to this day. When James Watson and Francis Crick discovered DNA and it’s chemical structure in 1962, it opened up doors that even they could not expect. With the understanding of DNA and how it affected the way we look at life, came the beginning of the understanding of mutated DNA (which is a cause of the growth of cancerous cells). In this past century, researching scientists discovered that cancer is linked with the DNA that resides in a cell’s nucleus. By ways of damage to the cells via chemicals or radiation, or even introduction of a new DNA, the cancerous cells begin to form and duplicate. We are learning more and more about cancer and how to fight it, but we still have much more to learn.
Up until the early 1960s, the people of that generation grew up believe that exposure to the sun was healthy and could be used as potential treatments for ailments like acne, for example. The doctors of the early 20th century even promoted the use of the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV rays) as a treatment for certain strains of tuberculosis. Little did they know the long run consequences of prolonged exposure to the now-labeled ...
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...til the area is clear of any sign of the cancer cells. Another method is cryotherapy: the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion and/or tumor. However, the use of cryotherapy has a rate of recurrence of about two years. The key to curing squamous cell carcinoma is early detection before any metastasis.
Conclusion
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 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
Marks, R. 1990. Skin cancer control in the 1990’s, from Slip! Slop! Slap! to Sun Smart. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 31: 1-4.
Well-known magazines often have broad headlines that show off celebrities sporting bronzed skin, and these articles often throw around the words “healthy” and “glowy” in a positive context. With this influence subjected upon the general public, indoor tanning has become a popular recreation of American men and women alike. As this new trend continues to rise, medical researchers are beginning to pay close attention to the health effects of indoor tanning, especially when referring to tanning beds, respectively. Through many recent case findings and studies, scientists have linked the use of tanning beds to many dermal health problems including types of skin cancers that are deadly. Despite the fact that tanning beds are detrimental to the dermal health of its victims, the use of tanning beds is on the rise and growing.
In today’s culture, being tan coincides with what is believed to be beautiful. As a result, it is no surprise that in the United States of America, an estimated 922,000 people are currently living with some level of melanoma. Even though the news media and doctors warn people about the risks of too much sun exposure and give information as to how to prevent contracting skin cancer, people are still disregarding this important information and going into the sun for extended periods of time unprotected.
The cancer cells from gene-mutation. Scientists now know some of the risk factors for lung cancer can cause certain changes in the DNA of lung cells. These changes can lead to not normal cell growth and, sometimes, cancer. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes and how our cells function. People usually look like their parents because they are the source of our DNA. But DNA affects more than how we look; it also can affect our risk for developing certain diseases, including some kinds of cancer like lung cancer etc…Some people inherit DNA mutation from their parents that greatly increase their risk for developing certain cancers.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. There are two different types of skin cancers: Melanomas and non-melanomas. To understand both of these terms a little better you need to be aware that your skin is divided up into 3 layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. The top layer, the epidermis, is very thin and serves to protect the deeper layers of the skin. The epidermis is also composed of basal cells, which in turn divide to form squamous cells and melanocytes. Melanoma skin cancer develops from the melanocytes and non-melanomas skin cancer develops from the basal and squamous cells.
Even though skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, it is also preventable if you know the right steps to take. Education on the different types of cancer, risk factors, and preventative measures will help to decrease your chances of ever hearing that dreaded diagnosis “cancer”. Do self-skin checks every month and take those extra steps to protect yourself when you are outside in the sun. It will pay off in the long run.
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 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)
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.
This article explains the three most important types of skin cancer and encourages different forms of prevention. Andrews states the reasons why the government backed the need towards education regarding skin cancer. The article describes the importance of skin examinations or assessments within society in order to prevent the risk of developing skin diseases. Although the government lacks to educate society about the importance of these products, the subject is crucially important in one’s life because a simple sunblock can prevent a life or death situation in the future. This article claims that healthcare professionals rarely give appropriate advice towards sun cancer which develops in basal cells at the base of the epidermis and encourages society to advise other groups who might be at risk in their future. Furthermore, the skin treatments mentioned are extremely expensive; therefore, society should think twice before not buying sunblock. Additionally, Andrews mentions fair skinned individuals are typically at risk as well as others who are exposed in the sun for several hours.
Take control and use these top tips to prevent skin cancer; if left untreated, skin cancers tend to grow into the epidermic layers (i.e., the dermis and the subcutaneous tissues). The list of tips is simple to understand and anyone can use these effective methods to protect themselves from the damaging factors of skin cancer. Frankly, no one should have to endure a skin disease that is preventable. Deter being intimidated and easily, prevent UV ray damage by applying effective skin products on today's market. Also, enjoy building your body up with relaxing foods and beverages that enhance cancer fighting cells while
On out of every seven people in the U.S. will eventually have a type of skin cancer throughout the rest of their lives. There is a high risk for people that have skin that can be burned easily. If a person gets a serious burn on their skin, it could raise their risk level to get skin cancer up to 50%. It is recommended that you see a doctor yearly to do a skin exam of some sort. The most common type of skin cancer is the basal cell carcinoma. Around 800,000 people have been diagnosed with it. The following two common skin cancers are the Squamous cell carcinoma, and the Malignant Melanoma.
Skin cancer is caused by a single cell becoming cancerous and growing and eventually forming a lump. It usually happens to areas of your body exposed to too much sunlight and when it occurs it usually forms a dark lesion on your body (or a dark spot with speckles on it). The most common types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, and kaposi sarcoma. Symptoms of the disease are a mole that changes in color or size or a dark spot on body. Those are some common facts about skin cancer.
Skin cancer is a worldwide disease that kills thousands of people a year. The rising amount of people who are being reported with skin cancer is a dramatic change. Families every year have to deal with that fact that they may lose someone important in their life due to this disease. Whether it’s grandparents or even just a friend, it affects people everyday. Skin cancer is an issue that almost everyone has faced in their lifetime and is growing every year, ever since man has learned about tanning this outbreak can not be stopped.