Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is the disease in which the epidermis, also known as the outer layer, is infected with malignant cancer cells. The first case of skin cancer was discovered in 1804 by a French physician named Rene Lannec. There are six types. Three major types, and three minor types of skin cancer. The Major forms are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The three minor types are sarcoma, merkel cell carcinoma and sebaceous gland carcinoma. The signs and symptoms vary between the different types, but they all have one thing in common, changes in the skin. Changes in the skin could be a growth, a spot that appears to be a rash, or even a sore that doesn’t get any better over time, or turns into a mole. The most common causes of skin cancers is over exposer to UV radiation, tanning or genetics Skin cancer cannot be spread person to person, meaning it is not contagious. Sunburn is the leading cause of skin cancer today. When diagnosing any form of skin cancer, the doctor, or dermatologist may remove a part of the abnormal area of the skin and send it off to a laboratory for testing. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, location stage, cancers aggressiveness or level and the patient’s condition. While most of the time surgery is recommended, it is not always the best method of treatment for everyone. Different surgical procedures that are used to help cure the disease are known as excision, Mohs surgery, curatage and electrodissectaton.

The Three Major Types Of Skin Cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinoma- Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer in American’s infecting over 2 million Americans annually. Symptoms are sores that are pinkish in color or apper to be opened wounds. It is mostly comm...

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...arkel cell carcinoma.
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.

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