Cancer is a disease that affects the lives of so many people. Everyone probably knows a person that is or has been afflicted by this monster, whether it is a family member, friend, or neighbor. There are many different forms of cancer including breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer…the list goes on. One form of cancer that hits home for myself and my family is skin cancer as we have had some family members and other family friends taken away from skin cancer. There are many different forms of skin cancer; it can be minor or very aggressive depending upon which type one has. Specifically, this paper will focus on discussing the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma. The skin helps protect against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Furthermore, it stores water and fat and controls temperature (“Melanoma Treatment”). Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that anyone can get. When treated early, the cure rate is nearly 100 percent; however, if melanoma spreads without notice, it can be extremely deadly. Doctors believe that the number of deaths related to melanoma could be reduced if people knew the signs and checked to examine for these signs regularly. When checking skin, one should look for the ABCDEs – asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving (“Melanoma”). …show more content…
These abnormalities include strange color or odd shapes. In the early stages, melanoma may not cause any symptoms that one may feel; however, in some cases, it will itch, bleed, and even cause sharp pain. These are not the only symptoms associated with this form of skin cancer. Sometimes, melanoma may appear as a brown or black streak underneath fingernails and toenails. Other times, it may just appear to be a bruise that will not go away (“Melanoma”). If one sees or feels any of these abnormalities, it is a good idea to get it looked at by a
These brown coloured cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA has committed damage to the body’s skin cells. It is known that it is the most commonly triggered by vigorous amounts of sunshine, over excessive use of tanning bed and UV lights which result in making mutations in the skin that produces the skin cells to over multiply at a quick rate which can eventually form nasty tumours.
Melanoma can be anywhere on your body. Moles, warts, or even a sun burn can lead to melanoma. Melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes, cells in the skin that produce the brown color known as melanin. These are the cells that darken when exposed to the sun, a protective response to protect the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer. Therefore, while this article was useful for
Any type of change size, color, or shape of a mole is an important warning sign. For weeks or months, watch the changes that occur. The ABCDE rule is a helpful rule to estimate skin changes. A is asymmetry. If one half of a mole does not match the other have there is no symmetry. B is border irregularity. Jagged, uneven, or blurred edges of a mole should catch your attention. C is color. Changes in the mole color, particularly from the edge of the mole to the middle. D is for the diameter. If the mole is larger than 6mm the mole should be of concern. E is evolution. Changes in the surface size and shape, as well as itching or tenderness should be observed. Often time’s melanoma is developed in unmarked skin, but can also develop in existing moles or birthmarks (“Melanoma and Skin Cancer Symptoms”). Skin examinations should be an often routine provided by a doctor. Any notice of suspicious signs, see a health care provider as quick as possible. Examinations by a dermatologist are a potential way to see if you have developed skin cancer. If during the examination skin cancer is suspected a biopsy will probably be the next process (Knight).
Thesis: The knowledge of understanding what skin cancer is and what to look for can
Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form is melanoma. This cancer of the skin involves mass replication of the pigment producing melanocyte cells, which are located in the epidermis, below the basal layer. There are several factors involved with the onset of melanoma including, exposure to ultraviolet rays, genetic predisposition, numerous nevi (moles), immunosuppression, and environmental exposure to carcinogens.
EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE AND SKIN CANCER IN AUSTRALIA Genet Degfaw Student ID No. 4559316 20 October 2017 Table of content 1. Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 2. Background-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-4 2.1 The importance of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer------------------------------------3 2.2 The Australian population at greater risk of skin cancer------------------------------------4 3.
Distinguishing melanoma may seem hard to do, but is not so once a person is informed on what they should be looking for. They may appear similar to moles, and may be blue or black in color. Though they will usually lack the symmetry and border regularity of a common mole, and may have variance in their coloring. Melanomas can either appear suddenly, or develop slowly near a preexisting mole. In rare cases, melanomas may form on top of previously formed moles or birthmarks, but will also come with the effects of pain, itching, or bleeding. These moles may begin to exhibit new and/or strange characteristics such as
The care of patients who have cutaneous melanoma (CM) has undergone a dramatic shift during the past 5 decades. Excision of pre-metastatic; CM has been the overriding goal. because once distant metastases have occurred. prognosis is dismal. Skin awareness and self-examination by patients. screening examinations of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes by physicians, and careful long-term Surveillance of patients determined in be al high risk for CM 'based on identifiable historic and phenotypic traits are having an immediate positive impact on CM. related mortality and CM-related case. fatality rate.
Malignant melanoma is the most commonly seen skin cancer and it has the highest number of deaths among diseases of the skin (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Among the many factors that cause this cutaneous cancer genetic modifications, viruses, carcinogens and excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays are the most commonly occurring (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Malignant melanoma affects all areas of the skin and the disease forms in melanocytes, which are the cells in which pigments (melanin) are synthesized (Melanoma Treatment). The cancer has its origin in the epidermis and affect squamous and basal cells. The disease usually affects the trunk, arms and legs but can also be present in the eye, affecting the
The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This type of mole can appear anywhere but most often on the back, legs, arms and face.
Early detection of melanoma can save many lives and lead to minor cancers (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). Patient skin self-examination (SSE), physician-directed total-body skin exams (TBSE), and patient education are the best methods to early detection (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). These ways and methods can also help detect cutaneous melanoma, basal cell cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). In order to early detect yourself or conduct any screenings, you must know the signs and symptoms of Melanoma. The most common signs are the different kinds of moles: a growing, an unsually looking mole on the skin, and a non-uniform mole which has an odd shape and colors (American Academy of Dermatology, 2015). Another important rule to always follow when looking for signs for this skin cancer is the ABCDE rule (American Cancer Society, 2015). A is for Symmetry, this means that one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B is for Border, the edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred. C is for Color: the color is not always same; it may be different shades of colors. D is for Diameter: the spot is larger than 6 millimeters across. Finally E is for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color (American Cancer Society,
Skin cancer is a disease that can affect any one. Skin cancer includes many types that can be classified as severe or superficial. Consequently, treatement of skin cancer depends on the degree of severity a person has. In the following paper, we will shed lights on the types of skin cancer and its causes. Finally, we will investigate how to treat the different types of cancer and how to avoid it.
It is likely that the melanoma cell can be treated, when it reaches then passes through the lymph nodes and the bloodstream, and it can be removed but will reoccur. When melanoma passes through the lymph nodes it’s likely that it has already affected the organs like the liver, lungs, or brain. This is how the cancer is spread to the organs of the body in a tumor form to become a deadly disease. This disease affects people of all ages and it can be detected by age 16. It can occur on any skin surface. In men, melanoma is often found on the trunk (the area between the shoulders and the hips) or the head and neck. In women, it often develops on the lower legs. Melanoma is rare in black people and others with dark skin. When it does develop in dark-skinned people, it tends to occur under the fingernails or toenails, or on the palms or soles. This cancer disease is metastasis and will move to the other organs of the body. Melanoma cancer is different than the squamous and the basal cell carcinoma because it will spread. This can be passed on through genes, the gen can hide and looks like a normal gen in the early stages. Melanoma may feel like an existing mole, or appear as a new mole, it has a black or blue-black area. It may be black, abnormal, ugly looking. This can be treated by radiation, biological therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments can be combined and used at the same time.
Thesis: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States but is highly curable if detected early and treated properly.