Skin Cancer and You
Urgent Facts, Causes and Dangers You Need to Know Today
Sun Protection is a fact of life™
Skin cancer is on the rise and melanoma is the deadliest one of its kind. Research has shown that too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation or UV rays is the major contributing factor.
However, even one real bad sun exposure in childhood could set the stage for a grim adulthood.
It may sound too harsh, but one may choose to stay out of the sun altogether.
Sun damage could be a slow process, but it builds up one day at a time until it's too late.
You need to learn all you can about sun protection and how it can prolong your skin's health.
There are 3 kinds of skin cancers at the top of the list:
• Melanoma
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Even though all three are very dangerous, but melanoma is the most dangerous and deadliest if not detected early.
In other words, melanoma has a high cure rate if caught early on and removed completely.
Mohs skin-cancer surgery is an advanced method for removing melanoma.
UV rays pouring down from the sun or tanning beds cause Melanoma by indirect DNA damage.
This means the UVA penetrates the human skin deep and damages the natural order of the molecules.
This leads to molecules reacting in a random manner with DNA and therefore move around like headless chickens.
Actually there is nothing funny about these so called free radicals which are in fact very dangerous to our health.
So if the melanoma is detected early, the free radicals may be stopped also dead in their tracks.
Otherwise, they could start spreading which is called metastasizing. That's when the cure is much harder if any, because it could have spread to any organ in the body such as the brain.
Melanoma due to free radicals can happen even inside the body in organs or places where there has been no direct sun or UV exposure.
Sometimes the melanoma cells can be caught by the lymph nodes which are the body's filtering stations. Then the lymph node might enlarge and require surgery for its removal.
Thereafter, Chemotherapy may be needed at that stage.
However, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma occur only in places with direct sunlight exposure such as the skin.
They are both caused by UVB rays which result in direct DNA damage.
Symptoms could be a spot or a sore that does not heal and might even bleed or become scaly.
So it's absolutely urgent matter to see a dermatologist right away to remove any moles or lesions that are changing in shape, size, color or thickness.
This could save your life,
You might see the advice mentioned above in more than one shape or form on this sight. This is not accidental, because it can not be emphasized enough.
If there are any suspicious skin moles, lesions or growths anywhere on your body, you should see a Dermatologist right away.
If you have to go thru your General Practitioner, I would ask for a referral to a Dermatologist. Remember to have your scalp, ears and between your toes checked too.
Dermatologists who specialize in surgery and removal of cancerous lesions or moles are even better.
They are experts in the field of Dermatology which includes skin disease prevention, diagnosis and removal of skin cancer .
Dermatologist would raze off any thing suspicious from the skin and send it to a pathologist. The pathologist will run some tests to see whether it's malignant or not.
Malignant is the opposite of benign. A benign lab result is good, but a malignant one is cancerous.
As mentioned in our Human Skin page, the outer layer of the skin is called the Epidermis. In fact that's where most skin cancers occur.
Therefore they are easily seen and detectable. Of course you will have to use a mirror to see the back of your body and between the legs.
Monthly self examination of the skin is a must. You should also make a diagram of your skin and map down any existing moles or lesions.
This way any changes can be tracked later. Also, if you are a good photographer a digital photo album of the skin might be worth a thousand words.
Life Saving Tips:
• Early detection is vital to survival
• Avoid sun exposure and suntan by all means
• Repeat, Stay out of the sun to reduce your UV exposure as well
• Check your moles and know your ABCDE
• Watch out for oozing or scaly moles
• See a Dermatologist once a year or immediately if in doubt
• See an ophthalmologist once a year to check inside your eyes too
• Never postpone your appointments, everyday counts
• The thicker the mole or lesion gets the higher the risk
• Practice sun protection daily
• Wear sun protection clothing and hat
• Apply broad spectrum UVA UVB organic sunscreen
• Apply lip balm with SPF rating of 30 or higher
• Stay away from high altitudes such as mountain tops
• A dose of tomatoes will increase your Lycopene intake which may or may not reduce the chance of getting skin cancer
Preventing skin cancer and avoiding a sun tan are the smartest ways by which you can prolong your healthy life style.
There are other factors that could contribute to having skin cancer such as genes, or the color of the hair and skin.
For more information about skin cancer, check the following informative articles:
3 Types of Skin Cancer to Know About
Basal Skin_Cancer and Its Consequences from Your Apathy
Canine Skin_Cancer and Your Responsibility as Pet Owner
Cat Skin_Cancer and Your Pet's Nine Lives
Causes of Skin_Cancer - The Facts You Should Understand
Dog Skin_Cancer Occurs More Than You Think
Early Signs of Skin_Cancer - Why You Need to Keep Watch
Facial Skin_Cancer Affects Your Whole Life
First Signs of Skin_Cancer - When is Medical Help Needed
Five Signs of Skin_Cancer - Bad News You Have One of Them!
History of Skin_Cancer is a Determining Factor
How to Prevent Skin_Cancer in Your Life
Information on Skin_Cancer: Why and Where
Malignant Melanoma Skin_Cancer Is Preventable
Melanoma Skin_Cancer Is Treatable Given Certain Conditions
Nose Skin_Cancer - Check, Save and Protect Your Nose
Prevention of Skin_Cancer: Whys and Hows Answered
Sign of Skin_Cancer - What to Do and Where to Go
Signs of Skin_Cancer and How to Find Them
Skin_Cancer and Tanning Beds Information to Safeguard You and Your Family
Skin_Cancer Awareness and Child Safety
Skin_Cancer Cells - Ways to Kill Them
Skin_Cancer Doctor - Qualifications to Look for and Questions to Ask
Skin_Cancer Facts Everyone Should Know About
Skin_Cancer from Tanning Beds - Studies and Legislation
Skin_Cancer on Nose - Sniff out the Facts
Skin_Cancer on the Face Affects Not Just Your Beauty
Skin_Cancer Reconstruction in Your Recovery
Skin_Cancer Reconstructive Surgery as Your Lifeline to a Normal Life
Skin_Cancer Research on the Vitamin D Dilemma
Skin_Cancer Risks under Your Complete Control
Skin_Cancer Signs Everyone Should Look Out For
Skin_Cancer Surgeon’s Role in Your Treatment
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