Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cancer cells that is found on someone’s skin. It is the most preventable form of cancer but is also the most common form. This is because people don’t know enough about it so they do not know how harmful it is. Skin cancer is mainly caused by too much exposure to UV rays. Florida is known as the sunshine state, or UV ray state, because of this it is very important to understand all the ramifications of skin cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma are categorized as nonmelanoma, they are the most treatable and common forms of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma covers 90% of …show more content…
Signs to look for are moles that are larger than a pencil eraser, hard or lumpy, inconsistent in color, itchy, dark, oddly shaped, fifty or more moles on the body, or a new growth. Men are more susceptible to have cancerous moles on the upper backs while women tend to have cancerous moles on the legs. The neck and chest show the earliest signs of cancer because these areas are thinner and more exposed than others (Kevin Cooper, MD). Though skin type and race doesn’t matter, someone who is fair skinned and freckles easily has a greater chance of getting skin cancer than someone who is very dark. People of a darker completion tend to see cancerous spots under the finger and toenails or the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The best method when it comes to checking your moles for signs of skin cancer is the ABCD method. The ABCD method goes as following: A, asymmetry, look for a non-symmetrical shape; B, border, the border may be jagged or hard to make out; C, color, inconsistency in the colors within the mole; D, diameter, shouldn’t be larger than six millimeters (pencil eraser). If a mole favors anything from the ABCD method the patient should see a dermatologist …show more content…
Yet others bring skin cancer upon themselves by not protecting their skin the way they should. The different ways to help prevent skin cancer is to wear sunscreen, whether it is for a beach trip or just a relaxing class of tea with friends on the back porch sunscreen is the biggest and best protector for skin cancer. For the face it is important to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection, lip balm with SPF, and a facial moisturizer or makeup that contains SPF 15 at the least. Clothing is also something that is very helpful when it comes to protecting your skin; a big hat can be worn to cover the face and shoulders or a long sleeve shirt to protect the arms from the beating sun. The hottest time of the day is 10-2, during these hours more cautious measures should be taken to shield your skin from sun than in earlier or later
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
Melanocytes, embryologically derived from the neural crest, are distributed in the epidermis and thus are found throughout the skin. They produce a brown pigment known as melanin and are responsible for racial variation in skin color and also the color of moles. Malignant degeneration of the melanocyte gives rise to the tumor, melanoma, of which there are four subtypes. These are: superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous melanomas, accounting for 70%, 15% to 30%, 4% to 10%, and 2% to 8% of cases, respectively. Malignant melanoma may develop anywhere on the body. In men, it is most common on the trunk. In women, it is most common on the back or legs. The subtype also may influence where the tumor develops, lentigo melanoma is more common on the face while acral lentiginous melanoma is more common on the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, or in the nail beds.
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...
...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.
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...
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.
Over all, skin cancer is known to be a very common and dangerous cancer among the U.S.. Although there is no superior or particular cause known for it, it can be reduced by reducing radiation exposure from the sun and also tanning booths and beds. If not attempting to prevent it by staying out of the sun, and seeking not seeking shade and so forth, protection such as longer clothing garments that better cover the body as well as hats and sunglasses can help to eliminate direct exposure and reduce some of the damages that may occur. Certain amounts of sun light are healthy for the body as it provides vitamin- D which the body needs to maintain a healthy life style, though it is crucial not be over exposed as reverse side affects may occur, causing more harm than good.
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.
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.
It is very important to use a sunscreen every day and especially when out in the sun. Sunscreens protect the skin from the harmful rays put off by the sun. Using sunscreen will help prevent skin cancer. It is very important to understand the strength needed for the amount of time in the sun. Sunscreens come in different strengths and there are many different brands of sunscreen available. Sunscreen also varies in prices. Some are very cheap and some are very expensive. It is up to the individual to decide which to use. A dermatologist can recommend what is best for the individual needs. As we all know, we have to be careful staying in the sun too much. We often get sunburned if we do not use sunscreen, but most people think it will heal and it’s not that big of a deal. This is also the case for tanning beds. The people who say things like “it’s not a big deal” are definitely wrong. He or she could be harming their skin and could end up with serious problems, like skin cancer. If a person gets too burned too often then he or she may develop skin cancer and end up having to have skin cancer surgery. A dermatologist will check the skin and if there are any suspicious places, they will perform a biopsy to see if it is a skin cancer. If it does turn out to be a skin cancer, the dermatologist will then determine the best course of treatment. Some treatments are by
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.