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Skin Cancer: What to Look For and How to Avoid
By Shawn Sales Skin cancer is a serious problem that seems
to affect more and more people ever year. If a squamous
cell carcinoma is not identified at an early stage, it may
develop into a melanoma. A melanoma usually begins as a
dark brown or black patch with irregular borders and is
characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing
tanning cells. It may appear anywhere on the body without
warning or start near a mole. It has a tendency to spread,
making it essential to treat right away.
Since melanoma is often linked to a change in one of your
moles, and most of us have 100 or so, you should inspect
them regularly and look for any changes in size and color,
such as the appearance of a bump or the spreading of pigment
around the border.1 Having an understanding of the deadly
effects of melanoma is important to be aware of the risks
that can cause the spread of this deadly disease. Risk factors
for squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas include: people
who have light skin color, a family history of skin cancer,
a personal history of skin cancer, chronic exposure to the
sun (squamous cell) and a history of severe sunburns early
in life (basal cell carcinoma).
Risk factors leading to melanoma include; as above, a light
skin color, a family history of melanomas, a personal history
of melanoma and certain types and large numbers of moles.
The presence of freckles, an indicator of sun sensitivity
and sun damage, along with a history of sunburns early in
life are also risk factors.2 It is important if any individual
has a number of these risk factors that they conduct self-examinations
of areas on their body where they have mole growth or irregular
moles. When a condition as deadly as skin cancer is found,
proper treatment for the condition is critical.
Several different treatments have recently been developed
to treat both basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
Basal cell carcinoma is a curable cancer, especially if
detected early and removed promptly. Treatment is surgical
and can result in scarring.
Treatment options vary depending on size and location of
the minor. The procedures to cure these legions can range
from electrodesiccation and curettage to Moh's microscopic
surgery, which is a specialized surgery to treat skin cancers.
Typically, a diagnosis of Basal cell carcinoma indicates
that the skin is damaged from the sun and that there is
a risk for developing additional skin cancers.3 If the individual
has been diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma, they must
pay attention to their body with an even greater amount
of detail.
After the body has developed one form of a carcinoma the
risk of getting additional carcinomas grows dramatically.
Other cancer treatment methods may vary depending on how
deep the cancer has penetrated into the skin. For a very
superficial melanoma, treatment may require only a wide
excision and a close follow-up head-to-toe skin exams. Melanomas
that are classified as stage IIa or IIb may require a wide
excision plus additional low-dose alpha interferon (immunotherapy).
High-dose interferon may be used for melanomas classified
as stage III with lymph node involvement and metastic disease.
Therapy for metastic disease may also include single agent
drug chemotherapy or a combination of drug chemotherapy.4
As technology has advanced, new non- invasive techniques
have been developed in the treatment of skin cancer. These
new treatment therapies show great promise for the future
using topical solutions that cause less pain than the traditional
invasive therapy techniques.
If squamous cell or basal cell carcinomas are not caught
early, they may become a malignant melanoma and spread internally.
At this stage, the chance for a complete recovery will decrease
significantly in the individual. Treatment and follow-up
for squamous cell skin cancer is the same as for basal cell
skin cancer.
Typically, Squamous cell carcinomas erupt more quickly and
are usually more painful than basal cell carcinomas. As
a result, patients tend to have their lesions checked by
a physician sooner than they would for a basal cell carcinoma.
These skin cancers can be extremely destructive, especially
when located on the face, and due to its risk for metastasis,
the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the better 5. If
the individual can execute their own self-examinations,
they will be able to detect potential skin cancers at an
earlier stage and potentially prevent metastasis from taking
place.
It is critical that the public be educated about the risk
factors and current trends that may heighten the spread
of skin cancer. Having a better understanding of prescription
drugs and other causes that may heighten this risk will
benefit the public about contracting a carcinoma. Doctors
should warn patients about prescription drugs and other
immunosuppresive agents that may lead to the spread of the
cancer.
Patients who have been given immunosuppresive treatment
that includes ciclosporin have a greatly increased risk
of squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin, but studies have
been largely restricted to patients who have had organ transplants.
Tumors were seen most frequently in such patients who had
a high pre-treatment risk of such cancers (e.g., elderly
patients and patients from sunny climates).6 This study
shows that taking medication and having surgery that may
leave the body in a compromised immune state may also lead
to a greater risk of skin carcinomas. Not only have researchers
found medications to increase the risk of skin cancer, but
smoking has now also been linked to the spread of squamous
cell carcinomas.
The researchers found that smoking was only associated with
the development of squamous cell carcinoma, not basal cell
carcinoma or melanoma. The researchers concluded that current
smokers were 3.3 times more likely to develop skin cancer,
and that the risk dropped to 1.9 in former smokers. They
also demonstrated a clear relationship between the number
of cigarettes smoked and cancer risk.
Those who smoked 1-10 cigarettes daily had a risk of 2.4;
smoking 11-20 cigarettes a day increased the risk to 3.0,
and those who smoked 21 or more cigarettes a day had a risk
of 4.1.
Pipe smokers were also at increased risk, but cigar smokers
were not according to the research.7 This research is another
reason to stay away from the sun if you smoke and another
reason to quit smoking.
Another important element in preventing skin cancer is to
avoid the over-use of tanning beds. While the tanning bed
industry may advertise that it is the safe alternative to
the sun the reality is that any tan that an individual aspires
to can ultimately lead to skin cancer and premature aging.
If the individual is completely inspired to have a tan at
all costs they should consider alternatives such as sunless
tanning lotions which are now safe and effective alternatives
to sun exposure. Also, be aware of medications and how they
may cause the skin to react in a more threatening manor
when using a tanning bed.
Ultimately what may be your best defense is to make sure
that your immune system is strong in fighting the harmful
rays of the sun and new research has shown that eating fruits
and vegetables has a protective effect against the spread
of carcinomas of the skin.8 You should also remember that
when you are out in the sun to be aware of the time of day
that you are outside, and, if possible avoid being out in
the sun between the hours of 10AM and 4PM when the suns
rays are the most harmful.
Always wear protective clothing when you are in the sun
and try to take advantage of hats and scarves whenever possible
to avoid potentially sun exposed areas such as the head,
neck, and ears. If you have to be out in the sun always
remember to wear protective sunscreen of an SPF factor of
15 or greater. With proper planning you can greatly diminish
your chance of developing a skin cancer. In conclusion,
every individual should know their body and have self-exams
often to look at any potential moles that may be prone to
skin cancer.
If the individual notices any change in their skin from
month to month they should have it evaluated by a Doctor
or a Dermatologist. Early detection for a carcinoma is the
key to survival before it may metastasize and become a melanoma.
The pamphlet below from the American Academy of Dermatology
shows how and what to look for when conduction a self-examination:
http://nhomag.com/
02_v4_n4_7.asp
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