Health Promotion for Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, but is almost always curable. When unrepaired DNA damages the skin cells, these cancerous growths develop and activate the mutation process to reproduce quickly and form malignant tumors. They are most frequently developed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 1979). The most common form of cancer is skin cancer and it accounts for almost half of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for 76,250 out of an estimated three million cases of diagnosed skin cancer per year. An estimated of 12,190 deaths occurred in 2012, of which 9,180 were related to melanoma (Wilson & Giddens, 2013, p. 102). An estimated amount of 15% of adolescents and adults report worldwide exposure to artificial source of UV light for tanning purposes. Only 9.3% of adolescents follow protective measures for sun exposure compared to 73% of adults (Wilson & Giddens, 2013, p. 102). The age groups related to melanoma could range anywhere from children to elderly. Sun exposure is an extreme risk factor for skin cancer can be directly associated with melanoma. Both UVA and UVB rays are dangerous to the skin and can provoke skin cancer effectively. During childhood years, sunburns have become more common because of the lack of knowledge most parents have about sun exposure. It is heard consistently in the young and older adolescent community within the ages of 14 to 25 that being tan enhances beauty; however, the knowledge that it can increase your risk of developing melanoma and other skin caners exceptionally is thrown out the window.
The main goal concerning melanoma is to reduce the death rate. It is extremely essential to decreas...
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...ly in instances of reducing the reoccurrence. In doing so, the nurses should emphasize to the patient the importance of education to care for themselves. Patient educating is one of the most important health promoting assets in the health field setting. Knowledgably patients can decrease the visits to hospitals, as well as, increase their health status.
References
American Cancer Society. (2012). Cancer facts & figures. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.
The Skin Cancer Foundation. (1979). Melanoma. Retrieved from http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). 2020 Topic & Objectives. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=5
Wilson, S. F., & Giddens, J. F. (2013). Health assessment for nursing practice (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health Melanoma Treatment (PDQ) Treatment Option Overview 2012 retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient/page4
Rockmann, H., and D. Schadendorf. "Drug Resistance in Human Melanoma: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities" Onkologie 26 (December 2003): 581–587.
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.
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). United States Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from http://www.hhs.gov
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.
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 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.
Indoor tanning is becoming a very popular “hobby”, but most people do not know, or do not care, about its dangerous side effects. Studies show that people who use tanning booths have a much higher chance of being diagnosed with skin cancer. If someone were to start tanning indoors before they turn 30 or 25, the risk of them getting Melanoma peaks, and if they start tanning before they turn 20 or 25, they are much more likely to get basal and squamous cancer.
Surprisingly, even with these astonishing numbers people still continue to put themselves at risk everyday. The solution to all this is very simple, we all need to wear sunscreen when planning to expose ourselves to the sun. There are also other everyday preventive measures that we can take to decrease our chances of harmful exposure to the sun. It is always helpful to wear a shirt and a hat with a broad brim. Wear sunglasses that absorb 99%-100% of UV rays to help your block your eyes and the skin around your eyes from these harmful rays. The two most important things for most people who like to tan are to seek shade frequently and to never use tanning beds. You can put your body at even more of a higher risk of contracting skin cancer when staying in the constant heat.
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.
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.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2000). Healthy people data 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2009, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/ data/data2010.htm
Often in practice, we as nurses deal with a variety of diseases and treatments and often have to react to the illness that the patient presents with upon our interaction. While this is an essential piece of our practice, we also have a duty to our patients to be proactive in preventing specific health-related consequences based on their risk factors and to promote their health and well being. Health promotion as it relates to nursing is about us empowering our patients to increase their control over their lives and well beings and includes: focusing on their health not just illness, empowering our patients, recognizing that health involves many dimensions and is also effected by factors outside of their control (Whitehead et al. 2008)..
A regular skin exam (every 6-8 weeks) will help in the melanoma dectection process. Look for irregular skin growths and have the growth examined by a health care provider if the growth promotes cause for alarm.
Skin cancer is a disease where cancer (malignant) cells are found on the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). The three types of cells found in the epidermis are squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. These cells in time grow to be cancerous. Thus, the three types of skin cancers are squamous cell, basal cell, and melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadliest and destructive type of cancer. (“Skin Cancer” infotrac.com) The number of people with melanoma has risen in Scotland from 3.5 in 1979 to 10.6 per 100,000 in 1998 for men and 7.0 to 13.1 for women. (Miller 945) Squamous cell and Basal cell skin cancer can kill up to 2,200 people a year in the United States. (Sommerfield SIRS.com) Basal cell, being the most common type of skin cancer, is the cancer that about 75 percent of the people have. (“Skin Cancer “ infotrac.com) Melanoma is mostly seen in older men but ever since tanning came in during the 1970’s, it has increased in women 60 percent around the ages 15-29 over the past three decades.(Sommerfield SIRS.com) “And basal cell and squamous cell cancers are increasing at a rate of about 5 percent per year”(Sommerfield SIRS.com).