Impact of Melanoma on Australian Population - Term Paper Example

Running Header: Impact of Melanoma on Australian Population Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Impact of Melanoma on Australian Population 3 Executive Summary 3 Background Information 5 Current status 9 Proposal/recommendations 10 Intervention evaluation 10 Conclusion 12 References 13 Appendices 15 Impact of Melanoma on Australian Population Executive Summary According to Buettner and Maclennam (2008, p. 270), Melanoma is the fourth prevalent cancer after colorectal, prostrate and breast cancers in Australia. Australia records highest number of melanoma incidences in the world. 80 percent account for skin cancers diagnosed in Australia are skin cancers. Melanoma is common cancer in women and men who are aged 15 to 44 years as compared to other types of cancer. Melanoma cancer arises from the skin cells called melanocytes that produce a brown pigment referred to as melanin which is a brown pigment that gives colour to the skin. Delayed treatment of melanoma results to its cells spreading to other body parts resulting to formation of secondary cancer. Youlden, Baade, and Coory (2005, p. 231) maintains that by the age of 85, Australians have 1 in 19 lifetime risks of getting melanoma with men having 1 in 19 lifetime risk while women have 1 in 25 lifetime risk. In Queensland and Western Australia, people have the highest risk of getting melanoma as compared to other regions. The incidence rates in Queensland Australia are four times higher than in United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. More than 1270 people in Australia die from melanoma every year with about 862 men and 411 women. Early detection of melanoma is extremely crucial for its successful treatment. Youlden, Baade, and Coory (2005, p. 231) argues that approximately 80 percent of melanoma is caused by ultraviolet light damage to the skin. Therefore, avoidance of excessive sunlight is vital in preventing and controlling occurrence of melanoma. The extensive differences between inland and coastal areas are major contributors of behavioral and lifestyle differences regarding the sun exposure that might be associated with melanoma occurrence in Queensland. It has been argued by Hamidi, Cockburn and Peng (2008, p. 994) that Melanoma is one of the skin cancer which is fatal if no early treatment is provided. It is most prevalent in the people at age of 14 to 25 years or sometimes up to age of 44 years. This is mainly due to their ignorance of practicing preventative measures of ultra-violent rays from the sun. Melanoma occurs mostly in Queensland in Australia due to geographical appearance of the place which makes the impact of ultra violet rays become severe. According to Hamidi, Cockburn and Peng (2008, p. 998), high exposure to the sunlight is the leading risk factor for skin cancer and it is a known risk factor for melanoma cancer. Melanoma treatment is becoming costly for Australian government as it is using most of the money allocated for health care to treatment of melanoma cancer. In Australia, the cost of treating Melanoma is more than $22 billion annually with largest amount of this being spent in Queensland region. Melanoma foundation (2008) maintains that extensive advertisement through television, radio and prints will ensure that people take into consideration effective measures. This will ensure reduced melanoma occurrence among the Queensland residents and Australians in general. Effective preventative measures to melanoma cancer includes seeking shade when there is severe sunlight, wearing protective clothing and covering the body, and putting on a broad-brimmed hat which shields the neck and face. According to Melanoma foundation (2008), other measures include applying SPF30+ broad-spectrum to screen the sunlight, and wearing wrap-around sunglasses. Background Information Cancer Control Center (2008) maintains that Melanoma was tenth among the common causes of cancer deaths in Australia with 1,273 deaths occurring in 2005 from melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer with its cells spreading quickly all over the body forming secondary cancers if untreated. Melanoma requires special care and preventative measures especially with its prevalent age of 15 to 44 years in both men and women in Australia according to Cancer Control Center (2008). Melanoma cancer comes from skin cells called melanocytes that produce the skin colour. The skin colour produces more pigment called suntan after responding to the sunlight. Melanoma starts from a “mole” or a spot that is pigmented. The change of moles’ color to either blue or black is another sign of melanoma development. Thompson, Morton and Kroon (2004, p. 67) argues that signs of melanoma include increase in size of a mole or when it grows bigger by developing into a lump which grows above the skin. In case the elevation is dark or has a different colour from original mole, it is important to seek for medical assistance since this is a first sign of highly dangerous type of melanoma. The change of moles’ shape from an oval or round to a shape with irregular coastline is also a sign of melanoma; smooth and regular borders moles are harmless. Thompson, Morton and Kroon (2004, p. 69) continues to argue that recurring itch or bleeding is vital warning sign of melanoma cancer. Thompson, Morton and Kroon(2004, p. 76) maintains that Melanoma development is higher in men as compared to women with 67 percent higher incidence of occurrence in men as compared to women. Attitude determines ultra-violet rays’ strength of any region. The rates of melanoma in some cases depend on the attitudes and geographical locations due to the rate of sun exposure that is higher in some historically native climates. Some races are as well more susceptible to melanoma mainly due to their skin pigments hence increased exposure to melanoma risks. According to Renato (1997, p. 45), Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in Australia where approximately 9,500 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma every year with over 1,100 deaths. Increased number of moles increases the risk of getting melanoma cancer. A family history of melanoma as well increases the chances of melanoma risk to family members. Melanoma also occurs in retina and very rarely in lymph nodes or internally without anything visible on the skin surface as illustrated by Colver (2002, p. 124). Australian Association of cancer Registries (2008, p. 85) argues that in 2004, melanoma was the second highest diagnosed form of cancer in men and women. In 2004 at Queensland, 1416 males and 1012 females were diagnosed with melanoma where 286 people died. Melanoma incidence in Queensland has increased by 55 percent for males and 20 percent for females for the last 15 years. Melanoma occurrence rates have increased with an average of 0.7 percent per year from 1993 to 2003. The five year relative survival rate of men in Queensland Australia is 90 percent for men with 95 percent for women. Melanoma occurrence rate is more prevalent in people at the age of 15-24 years in Queensland Australia according to studies by National Cancer Statistics Clearing House between 2001 and 2005 as illustrated by Kricker and Kingston (2001, p. 395). Table 1 (Australian Association of cancer Registries, 2008) According to Mayo foundation for medical education and research (2007, p. 270), it is estimated that over 1270 Australians die from Melanoma every year with approximately 60 percent from Queensland. It is estimated that this number comprises of 862 men and 411 women hence an indication that men are at a higher risk of dying from melanoma than women. However, early detections have enabled survival rates to rise significantly in Queensland region since 1980s according to Australian Association of cancer Registries (2008, p. 85). Melanoma foundation (2008) maintains that Melanoma treatment comes with an expensive cost to the individuals, community and the entire Australia. Queensland is such an area where large amounts of money are spent in treating melanoma. The latest research-based microscopes cost over more than $1million each. In Australia, the cost of treating Melanoma annually is more than $22 billion with largest amount being spent in Queensland where melanoma is higher than other regions. All this cost of treating melanoma is paid by the individuals affected. Therefore, if such a problem becomes prevalent like it is in Queensland, higher amount of money or income is used in treatment of melanoma other than doing other activities. A lot of money was spent in cancer research in Australia where $215 million was spent in research of cancer in year 2000-2001 which is over 18 percent of total expenditure on health. According to Harrison, Mackie and Maclennan (2000, p. 1437) an estimated total cost of $30 million was used in the treatment of melanoma in Australia in 2000-2001. According to report published by Australian Society of Medical Research in 2003, reducing expenditure on melanoma cancer through early treatment in Australia can assist in saving more than $184 billion in the next forty years. This can reduce the problems that are associated with melanoma in terms of economic strains on the families. Early diagnosis of melanoma can result to increased relative survival rates of the affected persons as illustrated in table 2. Table 2 (Australian Association of cancer Registries, 2008) Current status As illustrated by Melanoma foundation (2008), a lot of efforts are being put in place to ensure that there are effective melanoma measures in Australia. People are being encouraged on the importance of having early diagnosis so as to reduce the occurrence of melanoma. According to Melanoma (2008), Melanoma Campaigns aims at creating awareness to young people on the effective ways of preventing themselves against the sun’s ultra-violet rays. This includes wearing sun-protective types of clothing which should cover most part of the body. The 2008 melanoma awareness campaign also emphasizes on the importance of putting a broad-brimmed hat shade which shields or shades the neck and the face. The campaign awareness also wants people to wear wrap-around sunglasses in order to reduce the sun effects. Another effective way that people should practice is to seek shades especially when the sunlight rays or radiations are strong. Melanoma foundation (2008) argues that 2008 melanoma awareness campaign also emphasizes on the application of SPF30+ after two hours which is a broad-spectrum water resistance those sunscreens the ultra-violet rays. The age bracket targeted is teenagers between 13-17 years and young adults of 18-24 years of age. This is because this group tends to ignore the use of adequate protection hence high frequency of sunburn. Melanoma foundation (2008) illustrates that Campaign features includes graphic television and print advertising in order to reduce the gap that causes high melanoma cancer threats. Melanoma awareness campaign is necessary in order to reduce the number of deaths occurring due to cancer problems. With the high incidence and economic and personal costs that are related with melanoma, there is importance of emphasizing on preventing oneself from unnecessary ultraviolet rays exposure. Proposal/recommendations Melanoma foundation (2008) maintains that the main initiative towards ensuring melanoma awareness is effective will be through extensive television commercial adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements. This will increase awareness among the young people at the targeted age of 14 to 30 years due to high levels of ignorance towards preventive measures of melanoma cancer. These television commercial advertisements will ensure that the main purpose of informing the targeted age group is achieved. Melanoma cancer television adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements are intended to ensure reduced number of melanoma occurrences due to high exposure to sunlight waves through preventative measures. According to Melanoma foundation (2008) Melanoma television commercial adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements will ensure there is reduced occurrence of melanoma among that generation by 60 percent. This will eventually ensure that melanoma impacts on the society are greatly reduced on the targeted age group of 14 to 30 years. I would recommend that people take into consideration the preventative measures in order to reduce and avoid the occurrence and risk of getting melanoma cancer. This will not only reduce the number of death but financial constraints that the affected are exposed to due to high cost of medications. It is extremely crucial for various preventative measures against the ultraviolet rays to be taken into consideration to reduce its effects on the human beings. Intervention evaluation Thompson, Morton and Kroon (2004, p. 154) argues that, to determine whether intervention process will be effective towards efficient measures in preventing occurrence of melanoma, a study design will be carried out on the intended group. There will be collection of data through questionnaires to verify whether the awareness through television commercial adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements were effective. According to Kricker and Kingston (2001, p.400), the study design will also evaluate whether people practiced the ways towards preventing themselves against the occurrence of the melanoma in their body. An observational study will be carried out to ensure effective data collection is carried out. This will be a cross-sectional study through a community survey within a certain section of society in Queensland, Australia. According to Buettner and Maclennam (2008, p. 270), the data obtained will assist in determining whether television commercial adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements will be effective in their message deliverance to intended group. It will assist to know whether people take into consideration the risk factors that expose them to melanoma and that effective measures are taken into consideration. The data collected will be used to verify whether the expected groups of people have got the intended information concerning the awareness in protecting themselves against the ultraviolet rays in Queensland. The type of data obtained is quantitative data which will determine the exact number of people who are taking into consideration the preventative measures in reducing the effects of ultraviolet rays of the sun. The data collected will assist in the improvement of advertisements and commercials towards increasing awareness on the importance of reducing melanoma risks. Increased awareness through television adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements will assist in reducing melanoma occurrence and incidences by 60 percent in Australia and in particular Queensland as illustrated by Buettner and Maclennam (2008, p. 271) . Conclusion Melanoma cancer has been fatal in some occasions due to its severe effects due to failure of taking into consideration effective preventative measures. Melanoma cancer has been prevalent in Queensland due to geographical location and appearance making sunlight rays become severe in that region hence increased incidences of melanoma among its residences. This does not only affect them in terms of financial constraints in terms of treatment but increased number of causalities or death. The age that is extremely prone to this disease is between 14 to 25 years due to ignorance of taking into consideration effective preventative measures in preventing themselves against the ultra-violet rays of the sun. If people can take into consideration the measures, then the survival rates can be high and achievable. Effective preventative measures in preventing the risks of getting melanoma cancer includes seeking shade when there is severe sunlight, wearing protective clothing and covering the body as much as possible, putting on a broad-brimmed hat which shields the neck and face, applying SPF30+ broad-spectrum to screen the sunlight, and wearing wrap-around sunglasses. This will assist in reducing melanoma which is most life-threatening cancer. Television adverts, radio commercials and print advertisements will reinforce crucial messages to young people who are specifically vulnerable to life-threatening skin cancers. Other recommended measures towards preventing severe effects include early treatment and diagnosis of melanoma before its effects becomes fatal. Simple surgical exercises as early as possible are important in ensuring melanoma does not result to fatal consequences. References Australian Association of cancer Registries 2008, ‘Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2008’, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, vol. 46, no. 42, pp. 84-91. Buettner, P. & Maclennam, R 2008, ‘Geographical variation of incidence of cutaneous melanoma’, Australian Journey of Rural Health, vol.16 no. 5, pp. 269-277. Cancer Control Center. (2008, June). Melanoma Skin Cancer Causes Risk Factors. Viewed 5 June 2010, http://www.canceravoid.com/melanoma-skin-cancer-causes-risk-factors/ Colver, G 2002, Skin cancer: a practical guide to management, Informa Health Care, Canberra. Hamidi, R, Cockburn, M & Peng, D 2008, ‘Prevalence and predictors of skin self- examination: prospects for melanoma prevention and early detection’, International Journal of Dermatology, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 993-1003. Harrison, S, Mackie, R & Maclennan, R 2000, ‘Development of melanocytic nevi in the first 3 years of life’, Journal of the National Cancer institute, vol. 92, no. 3, pp. 1436-1438. Kricker, A & Kingston, B 2001, ‘Extent of sun exposure to melanoma’, Journal of Melanoma cancer, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 395-401. MacLennan, R, Green, A, McLeod, C & Martin, G 1992, ‘Increasing incidence of cutaneous Melanoma in Queensland, Australia’, Journal of the national cancer institute, vol. 84, no. 18, pp. 1427-1432. Mayo foundation for medical education and research 2007, ‘Malignant melanoma in the 21st century’, Mayo clinic proceedings, vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 364-380. Melanoma foundation 2008, About melanoma. Viewed 5 June 2010, http://www.melanomafoundation.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id =23&Itemid=40 Renato, D 1997, Encyclopedia of Human Biology, Academic Press, Michigan. Thompson, J, Morton, D & Kroon, B 2004, Textbook of Melanoma, Informa Health Care, Sydney. Youlden, D, Baade, P & Coory, M 2005, Cancer survival in Queensland, 2002,Queensland Health and Queensland cancer Fund, Brisbane. Appendices Table 1 (Australian Association of cancer Registries, 2008) Table 2 (Australian Association of cancer Registries, 2008) Read More