Malignant Melanoma Case Study

Many people think that is it possible to achieve a “healthy tan,” but this thought has been proven wrong. Overexpose to UV-A and UV-B rays from the sun lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as the possible formation of skin cancer, know as melanoma. An appearance of a tan is actually a stage of burning and damage to the skin. Although a tan may be desirable to many, the fact remains that more people need to be educated on the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays, and the possible health complications of overexposure.

In 1992 there were approximately 62,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed and around 6,700 deaths. Each year, over 55,000 people get diagnosed with melanoma in the United States (Altman).

Melanoma is caused by over exposure to UV which can sometimes cause sunburn, it can be especially critical to those whom are inclined to the disease itself. The tumours derive in the pigment-producing melanocytes which are inside the basal layer of the

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.

Most people go to salons or anywhere else to get a tan and they will ask “Are tanning beds dangerous?” The employee will probably say no, they are totally safe, but the truth is tanning beds are not safe! Ultra-violet rays from tanning beds are stronger than the sun’s rays. In addition, tanning beds put out fifteen times the radiation given off the sun. Moreover, tan is one’s body response to injury. Therefore, a tan is dangerous to younger people. To add, tanning beds are riskier than sun exposure and cause melanoma. The risk of melanoma goes up by seventy-five percent when one uses a tanning bed. However, not only is one more

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops when unrepaired DNA damage to your skin cells trigger genetic defects that lead you skin cells to multiply at a fast pace and form tumors. Melanoma can often resemble moles and some can come from previous moles. These melanoma moles can range in color from pink, red, brown, purple, white, blue and skin-colored, but more mostly seen as black or brown. It’s said that consumers who use indoor ultraviolent tanning devices are seven-four percent more likely to develop melanoma compared to someone who has never used a tanning bed before. Melanoma is usually caused from intense and over exposure to UV radiation. It has be estimated to kill around 10,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. The lifetime risk of melanoma is 1.5 times higher in males than in females. Melanoma is curable, if it is recognized early and

Surprisingly, the sun-kissed tanned skin is what most younger whiter complexions are eagerly trying to desire; despite the risk of artificial tanning that could cause to a person’s health, but the rate of people using a tanning salon is still rising. In America, there are 30 million white females from ages 16 to 29 years old that are fascinated in indoor tanning (Becirevic, Amel et al, 2017). As the rate of tanning bed users rises the melanoma incident has also increased. Melanoma risk is associated with artificial tanning for a very long period of exposure to the ultraviolet radiation which skin problem can occur later in life. People used artificial tanning as it gives very quick result for a brief period and the fewest number of sessions

According to Mays and Tercyak (2015), “An estimated 9,000 deaths occur each year as a result of melanoma, and the costs of skin cancer treatment results in $8 billion annually (p. e70). The major concern for preventing skin cancer from resulting is due to indoor tanning salons (Mays & Tercyak, 2015). Most skin cancer cases are associated with indoor tanning salons (Mays & Tercyak, 2015). Young adults seem to know the risk of indoor tanning, but still do not protect themselves from the dangerous behavior (Hemrich et al., 2014). Even when young adults have family diagnosed with skin cancer, they still continue to tan and do not participate in safe skin-care prevention (Hemrich et al., 2014).

Melanoma is a dangerous invasive cancer which starts in melanin producing cells (melanocytes) usually located at the bottom of the skins epidermal layer. Although certain individuals have a genetic propensity for melanoma, it is usually triggered by excessive UV exposure from sunlight or tanning beds (Mayo Clinic, 2016a). At early stages it is relatively easy to treat, however, recurrences are common. At later stages melanoma treatments are less effective since it tends to metastasize and spread easily through the lymphatic system (Mayo Clinic, 2016a).. The root cause of malignant melanoma is due to mutations in the p53 gene protein which invariably leads to further mutations.

Melanoma being the austere form of skin cancer which can be fatal in most cases. Mayo Clinic’s article on the diseases and conditions of melanoma gives good clarity as to what is actually occurring, and how it forms. The article states that what causes melanoma is unclear and hasn’t been discovered but what takes place is the melanocytes that generate melanin cells is agitated by unknown causes which results in the change in pigmentation of the skin or a change in a current mole already present on the skin. Strategies that can help you detect the symptoms of melanoma consist of the letters “A- E meaning A: asymmetrical shape regarding moles, B: irregular boarders, C: change in color, D: diameter, and E: evolving” (Mayo Clinic Staff 2016) Melanoma can appear not only on the skin but underneath a person’s nail, it can affect their eyesight and rarely their internal organs such as the mouth, urinary tract, and digestive tract called mucosal melanoma. These are noted to be hidden

The article “Melanoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments” written by Markus MacGill and reviewed by Dr. Helen Webberley is exactly what it states, an article on the integumentary disease melanoma. This article tells everything about melanoma, stating that it is a very deadly type of skin cancer. It is fortunate that it is the least common, however it is still responsible for the majority of skin cancer related deaths each year. Melanoma comes from pigment-producing cells that have mutated into a cancerous cell. They spread quickly, almost too quickly to catch. Skin cancer is first noticed by the look of the skin, then can be confirmed or denied with testing. Melanoma may not produce symptoms. Staying out of the sun for extended amounts of time is best when avoiding skin problems, especially skin cancer. Melanoma is seen mostly in people over the age of forty, and favors women. It can develop anywhere on the skin but does favor the trunk of men and the legs of women. Melanoma will form changes in existing moles on the skin. People should be checking for noticeable differences in skin constantly, especially those who have a known risk. Some early indicators of melanoma could be pale skin, light eyes, numerous moles, multiple freckles, sun exposure, light hair, age, and a few more. Sadly, most these are unavoidable.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, but what is it, and how does it form? Well, according to the Mayo Clinic, melanoma causes DNA damage to cells which begin to grow out of control and can eventually form a mass of cancerous cells (Mayoclinic.org). Elderly men are at highest risk, but melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults 25 to 29 years old (ASCO). Therefore, all ages are prone to melanoma. Melanoma not only occurs in men, it also occurs in women. The

Thesis: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States but is highly curable if detected early and treated properly.

fourth questions the doctor should ask the patient is “What are your main concerns of melanoma or treatment?” The fifth questions should be “Does melanoma run in your family?”

In response to the health issues associated with exposure to the sun, New Zealand has developed programs to educate people on the risks of solar radiation and the precautions that can be taken. One such program is called SunSmart, and its goal is to promote sun safety behaviors in New Zealand. Some statistics are posted on their website regarding the effects of skin cancer in the country. These include the fact that every year in New Zealand, about 50,000 new cases of skin cancer are reported, close to 260 people die from the disease, and it costs the New Zealand health system around 33 million dollars.3 Though New Zealand may be highly susceptible to sun-related skin cancer, it is still something that is generally