How to Deal with Skin Cancer - Coursework Example

Skin Cancer Skin cancer is referred to as a malignant growth that takes place on the skin and could have a number of different causes for it. It is aknown fact that skin cancer takes place in the outermost layer of the skin which is also called the epidermis. This marks a clear cut representation of tumor which is visible within the epidermis. In fact this is the reason as to why skin cancers are detectable at a pretty early stage within the patients. Going deep into the study of skin cancer, we find that there are essentially three different kinds of skin cancer. All of these skin cancer types are named in line with the type of skin cell from which it has come about in the first place. Similarly, these kinds of cancers are caused by ultraviolet exposure towards sunlight or other related sources. Also these could be warded off by wearing sun protective clothing as well as applying a broad spectrum sun screen on the visible parts of the body and more commonly the face and hands. Skin cancers are indeed the fastest occurring kind of cancers that are prevalent within the United States. It is for this matter the most commonly diagnosed malignancy. It easily surpasses lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer by all counts. Skin cancer has been known to grow rapidly in different parts of the world and this is the reason as to why United States is not an exception to this occurrence. It is believed that in the current year (2007) alone, more than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Moving on, the most common types of skin cancers are the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These kinds of skin cancers are most likely to disfigure in a local capacity but their size is unlikely to increase in different parts of the body, also known as metastasize. Thus for the same reason the most fatal kind of skin cancer is the malignant melanoma. Hence this kind of skin cancer requires an early treatment and if not catered to properly it could lead to problems. Malignant melanoma forms up as a very small proportion of the skin cancers that are presently found. The more rare types of skin cancers include Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Because of these reasons, skin cancer is a commonly occurring condition within human beings. The most common form of occurrence is due to ultraviolet radiation. Another connotation of ultraviolet radiation is in the form of sun tanning which is more popularly known worldwide. Sun tanning is also called sun bathing in different regions of the world. In the same context, the individuals who possess light skin are more vulnerable to getting exposed to skin cancer. It is because of these above-mentioned reasons that one out of every three Americans fall into the trap of skin cancer, an aspect that raises quite a few eyebrows. When there is understanding sought for the signs and symptoms for skin cancer, one must comprehend the fact that there are a number of varieties as concerns the skin cancers. Thus there are different skin cancer symptoms to state the least. The symptoms could be visible through crabs or changes in the skin which do not seem to heal under any process whatsoever as well as ulcers happening within the different skin types. Discoloration also occurs as well as changes in existing moles within the human skin. Now considering this for the different types of skin cancers that are prevalent, we see that for basal cell carcinoma, the skin cancer looks like a raised, smooth and bump visible on the exposed part of the skin, which could be the head, hands, face, neck or shoulders. At times, small blood vessels are pretty apparent within the tumor that has happened in the wake of the basal cell carcinoma. Also there is a development within the crusting and bleeding which happens within the center of the tumor itself. Individuals with such developments on their skin think of as a sore on their skin and thus it does not heal which suggests that it indeed is not a sore but a kind of skin cancer in essence. Squamous cell carcinoma is a kind of red, scaled and thickened path which is visible on the skin that is exposed to the sun. The symptoms include the ulceration and bleeding within the skin. If not treated properly, squamous cell carcinoma could develop into a large mass. As far as malignant melanoma is concerned, these are either brown or black in different lesions. The different signs and symptoms include the change in color, shape, size or elevation within the mole itself. Thus it makes all the more reason for checking upon the appearance of a new mole which happens during adulthood as well as different kinds of pains, itching, bleeding within an existing mole or ulceration that also comes under the scanner. A number of different skin cancers are treated by removing the lesion whereby edges are made free of the occurring tumor cells. These edges are also known as the margins. The excisions provide as an effective cure for the early and the high-risk disease of skin cancer which happens from time to time. For the low-risk disease, it is pertinent to have a combined use of radiation therapy and cypotherapy where the cancer is frozen off. This provides for controlling the disease and curing the rate of surgery that happens overall. The risk factors related with skin cancer include the close association of this disease with chronic inflammation of the skin. This makes sure that the following conditions could exist in essence. Sunburn of excessive sun damage could happen and more so in early stages of life. Also the fact that sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM is considered to be the most harmful raises quite a few considerations. Therefore both sun and ultraviolet radiation and related exposure are linked with skin cancer. The risk factors could also include chronic and non-healing wounds which are known as burns. In the light of these risk factors, skin can be protected by getting away from sunlight on a consistent basis as well as wearing protective clothing at all times possible. It may be mentioned here that skin cancer could be caused by exposing skin to the different ultraviolet radiations and rays in an excessive manner. The reduction of having skin cancer and the related risk is also made possible by the following factors. These include the reduction of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and more so in the early child age. Then there is the talk that sunburns must be avoided at all costs which is pertinent to discuss here. Applying sunblock and reapplying it after every 2 hours is quintessential and more so when an individual has just finished swimming. Wearing long sleeved clothes and especially when outdoors an important consideration for individuals is when they are outdoors. Thus in the end it is essential to state here that skin cancer is a pretty malignant disease and it must be kept away from the causes as much as possible. There is an element of uncertainty when it comes to having a clear cut understanding of the whole subject at hand but then again further research and evidence of knowledge is indeed necessary. All said and done, skin cancer forms up as a very important cancer type and thus significance must be given as per its existence, occurrence and remedial regimes. Bibliography Helm, David Jay. How to Deal with Skin Cancer Effectively. Education, Vol. 121, 2000 Mcgovern, Victoria. Digital Diagnosis: New Tool for Detecting Skin Cancer. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 111, 2003 Strange, Carolyn J. Thwarting Skin Cancer with Sun Sense. FDA Consumer, Vol. 29, July 1995 Ward, Darrell E. Looking at SKIN CANCER in a Different Light. USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Vol. 128, May 2000 Pitts, Marian. The Psychology of Health: An Introduction. Routledge, 1998 Word Count: 1,265 Read More