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.
Science and logic underpins the biomedical approach to health and illness. Willis and Elmer (2011) point out that biomedicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of individual anatomical structures of the body, with heavy references to science and medicine. According to the biomedical approach, the major cause of melanoma is the excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the ...
Marks, R. 1990. Skin cancer control in the 1990’s, from Slip! Slop! Slap! to Sun Smart. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 31: 1-4.
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.
Levine, Jody A., MD, Michael Sorace, MD, James Spencer, MD, and Daniel M. Siegel, MD. "The Indoor UV Tanning Industry: A Review of Skin Cancer Risk, Health Benefit Claims, and Regulation." Special Article 53.6 (2010): 1038-043. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
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.
Scientists have performed many different tests and studies to learn more about high exposure to UV. Close observation of cells have shown that sunlight, natural or artificial, can cause mutations or DNA damage in cells. This can lead to further damage which will then be passed down through generations. Another study scientists perform is on animals. Scientist will expose your typical lab animals to UV rays, and this test typically results in skin cancer on the animal. These studies have been performed with UVA, UVB, and UVC, and they have all proven
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.
The social desirability of a tan is a modern phenomenon, beginning in the 1920’s when the French designer Coco Chanel decreed it as a fashion look. The concept of obtaining a tan without going outdoors became increasingly attractive (Aldige). Today’s media influences everyone, but especially young people, to feel like they need to have that beautiful dark skin color to look good. Teenagers, caring more about their social status and appearance, are looking past the obvious risks of skin cancer. Teenagers ages 12 to 17 are visiting tanning salons in record numbers. This trend presents a huge level of concern, as studies have shown that the risk for skin cancer increases when tanning begins at a younger age. With this fad being so popular, teens are always finding themselves at the tanning salons, becoming nice and crispy.
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.
In the final analysis, scientists and doctors have given people many “tips” for avoiding skin cancer. These “tips” can be summarized in the following points . First avoiding exposure to the sun between eleven a.m. and three p.m. At this time, sunlight can be very strong, and wearing tight clothes and hats to cover the face and the neck region. Secondly, using sunscreen during exposure (the best recommended is the one with SPF 15, ) and wearing sunglasses because UV rays are extremely harmful for the eyes. The last advice is that lips must also be protected from UV rays, and that babies under six months must not be exposed to sunlight as much as possible. ( Skin Cancer, symptoms, management and treatment, 2000, P.4).
Cryotherapy, the use of liquid nitrogen that is applied to the tumor and deep-freezing it without any cutting. It is useful for clients with a bleeding disorder. On the other hand, curettage and electrodesiccation are techniques reserved for a superficial small lesion. It involves scrapping off the tumor site and use an electrocautery needle to desiccate any remaining malignant cell. Mohs surgery removes the cancer cell layer by layer and examines under a microscope. If Clients may not want to have surgical treatment. Moreover, the location of certain cancer might make it unpractical to achieve a desirable outcome, for example, the tip of the nose or cancer of the eyelids. In those cases, chemotherapy may prove the reasonable alternative. chemotherapy can be systemic or topical. 5-fluorouracil is a topical med most often use for pre-cancerous cell and NMSC. It applies directly to the skin which means it does not cause the same side effect as a systemic chemo would. However, it does make the skin sensitive to the
Andrews, Hilary. “Skin and Sun Awareness and Skin Cancer Prevention.” British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 6.12 (2012): 582-588. GoogleScholar. Web. 5 Nov. 2015.
In 2014, approximately 76,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is the most common and most dangerous skin cancer there is. Anyone can get melanoma when not protecting their skin. Throughout this paper there will be discussed the causes, treatments, protection and prevention, and also the effects melanoma has on the human body. Melanoma skin cancer is a cancer that Americans should be more aware of and should take greater precautions when exposing their skin to the sun.
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.
The second most common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer develops in the upper layers of the epidermis. Although this cancer is more aggressive than basal cell cancer, it is still relatively slow growing and is more likely to spread to other locations, including internal organs. Squamous cell cancer is usually found on the rim of the ear, the face, the lips and mouth. However, the disease is usually painless, but may become painful with the development of ulcers that do not heal. This cancer often originates from sun- damaged skin and usually begins at age 50. When found and treated early as well as properly, the cure rate by dermatological surgery is 95%.