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Skin Cancer… the Most Common Form of Cancer
By Ray Zimmerman
There are several different types of skin cancer and each one looks a little bit different. Always be concerned whenever you notice a new growth on your body or you see a change in the shape or color of a growth (such as a mole) that you have had for some time. Subtle changes seem to go unnoticed but should be carefully watched when a change has been detected. Quite often a skin cancer can be removed without any serious consequences if detected and dealt with in the early stages of its growth. Since early detection is paramount when you are dealing with skin cancers, it is prudent to perform a self-examination of your entire body on a regular basis. This is best accomplished in front of a large mirror in a well lit area. You will also need a hand-held mirror to check your back, your buttocks and the back of your legs. The risk factors for any form of skin cancer includes sunburns, a family history of skin cancer and the exposure to x-rays. As you most likely know, the sun is the culprit that causes the majority of skin cancers. Exposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. When you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time, you should always protect your body from the harmful rays of the sun. If you have young children, make sure that they are also well protected. Ways to Protect Yourself From Ultraviolet Rays 1. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before going out into the sun. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) should be a minimum of 30. Generously apply the sun screen to all of your exposed skin. You should reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours regardless of the weather conditions or the outdoor activities. A broad-spectrum sun screen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
2. Seek shade whenever possible. Always remember that the sun’s rays are always the strongest between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. If you are not wearing a watch, a good rule of thumb is to always seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you are. 3. You should always wear protective clothing that will protect your body when you plan to spend time in the sun. Clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, closed shoes and a wide-brimmed hat are extremely helpful against the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t forget to protect your eyes. A good pair of sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet rays is invaluable for outdoor activities. 4. Always use extra precautions when you are on or near water, sand and snow since you will be dealing with direct sunlight as well as the reflection of the damaging rays of the sun. Make sure that your children are always well protected when playing in the water or on the beach. 5. Avoid using a tanning bed since the ultraviolet light from the tanning bed can also cause cancer. If you want to look tan, simply use a sunless, self-tanning product. There are many on the market to chose from. Regardless of which product you decide upon, make sure that you also apply sun screen when going outside for any length of time. THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF SKIN CANCER Actinic Keratoses (AK) This is the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer which is comprised of dry, scaly patched or spots. AK can progress to a form of skin cancer which is called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. AK is typically diagnosed in those individuals with fair skin and are over the age of 40. This condition is usually found on the head, neck, forearms and hands because of the amount of unprotected sun exposure to these parts of the body. AK can be easily prevented by the proper use of sun screen. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) This is the most common form of all skin cancers. Its typical appearance is that of a flesh-colored bump or a pinkish patch on the skin. Usually BCC manifests itself in locations that have had frequent sun exposure, but not always. BCC can also be found on the chest, back and lower limbs. Even though the majority of BCC develops in people with light or fair skin, it can also occur in those individuals with dark skin. It should be noted that BCC does not grow very fast and it generally does not spread to other parts of the body. BCC should be treated as soon as it has been detected because it has the ability to invade surrounding tissue and can spread into the nerves and bones which can cause disfigurement. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) This is the second most common form of skin cancers. The general appearance is that of a firm bump, a scaly patch of skin or that of an ulcer that has healed and then reopened. The majority of SCCs are reddish in color. As with other skin cancers, SCC is primarily caused from frequent sun exposure. It is usually found on the face, neck arms, chest, back and on the rim of the ear. Those individuals with light skin are most likely to develop this condition, but it can also occur in individuals with dark skin. SCC has the ability to spread to other parts of the body and can grow deep and cause disfigurement. Melanoma Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It has been documented that more than 120,000 people in the United States will develop Melanoma this year alone. It generally develops in a mole or may appear suddenly as a dark spot on your skin. Melanoma has unusual characteristics that can help in its detection. Usually one half of the spot does not look like the other half. The border of the spot is generally irregular, scalloped or poorly defined. The color will vary from one area of the spot to another (typically tan, brown and black). For the most part, the size of this skin cancer will be more than 6mm. It should be noted that when Melanoma is detected and treated early, the cure rate is quite high. As with all skin cancers, early detection is the key. In conclusion, always remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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Contributor's Note
Don't forget the sun screen!
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The Skin Cancer Foundation
| American Cancer Society
| MD Anderson Cancer Center
   
Actinic Keratoses
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
 |  | frederick recommended this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Laraine recommended this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | oxytum recommended this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Michael Jefferson agreed with this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Samantha Decker agreed with this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Aupoet admired this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | R Foreman recommended this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Coffee with Jeff recommended this intel. Jul 1, 2011 |  | | Mark Rosenberg, M.D. recommended this intel. Jul 7, 2011 |
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This intel was contributed by crawfish
crawfish
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May, 2012
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