Skin cancer occurs when normal cells increase in size and start to multiply without normal controls. A mass called a tumor is formed as they multiply. Since these types of tumors are on the skin, they are called lesions. The tumor usually can be noticed in the early stages because it commonly develops in the outermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. This way the tumor may be treated before it even becomes cancerous. The main factor of skin cancer is excessive exposure to UV rays. It has been proven that from 10 AM until 4 PM, the sun is at its strongest and therefore most dangerous state. Not only is skin cancer a result of natural sun rays, but artificial ones too, such as tanning salons or sunbeds. Sunbeds in particular can lead to the most fatal type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, a kind of skin cell. When these skin cells join together they can form a mole. If these moles change color, shape, elevation, or size, they can be a sign of malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma alone affects more than 53,600 Americans each year. It is responsible for 75% of deaths caused by skin cancer.
How do you prevent skin cancer?
One way of reducing the risk of getting skin cancer is by diminishing exposure to UV rays and sunburn. Another way is by wearing protective clothing, such as long sleeves and hats, when outside. Using sunscreen of an SPF of about 50 that blocks UVA and UVB radiation is necessary also. Scientists say that you should reapply this sunscreen every two hours and after swimming. Recently, studies showed that sunscreen does not help prevent malignant melanoma.
How common is skin cancer?
Out of all types of cancer, skin cancer is the most common. More than 1 million Americans each year are diagnosed with this disease and at least 10,000 people die from it in just the United States alone. Studies say that this is 90% increased from the 1960s. Americans are paying more than half a billion dollars a year for medical treatment concerning skin cancer.
What treatment is offered for skin cancer:
Almost all skin cancers are treated by removing the lesion and then making sure all of the tumor cells are gone. This is done for early and high-risk types of skin cancer. Freezing off the cancer, otherwise known as cryotherapy is commonly used for low-risk disease. If the disease has spread, like melanoma can for example, surgery or even chemotherapy may be needed. Chemotherapy often shortened to "chemo", is when medical drugs are used to treat a disease. The great thing about this method is that it works on the entire body, unlike other treatments like radiation therapy or surgery that only remove cancer cells in a specific area.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_cancer
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/skin_cancer/article_em.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/forum.asp?articlekey=4262
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_7X_What_Is_Chemotherapy_And_How_Does_It_Work.asp
by Andrea
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