Health Determinants of Skin Cancer
Introduction
Skin cancer is a growing issue globally, but specifically in Australia with an estimated two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are seventy (Understanding Skin Cancer: A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends, 2016). ‘Skin cancer' is a term incorporating three different types of cancer found in the epidermis layer of the skin, in either the basal cells, squamous cells or melanocytes. Thus, the type of cell they are found in determines the type of skin cancer present; basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma respectively (Understanding Skin Cancer: A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends, 2016). The most
…show more content…
Therefore, the three main biological determinants are; age, sex, and genetics. These three biological determinants have a large influence on the development of basal cell carcinoma. 80% of cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are present in those aged 60 years or over (Madan, Lear, & Szeimies, 2010), thus making age a huge risk factor for the disease. Individuals can also have a genetic predisposition to any type of skin cancer, therefore increasing the risk of getting the disease. People with a genetic predisposition to other genetic conditions related to basal cells or the skin, for example, basal cell naevus syndrome, are also at an increased risk of developing skin cancer (Schwartz, 2016). Genetics in relation to skin colour also has a strong association with the development of skin cancer. Those with fair/light skin are more likely to get skin cancer than those with a darker skin colour. Lastly, males also have a slightly higher risk of getting the disease than females (Madan, Lear, & Szeimies, …show more content…
The main social determinants that could lead to an increased risk of developing skin cancer include education, access to health care, work environment and socioeconomic status. A lack of education could potentially mean an individual is unaware of the risks of skin cancer and therefore does not use the sun-protection measures available to reduce their risk, or, they may have low literacy skills and therefore not be able to read and/or interpret health promotion messages or warning signs about skin cancer and UV exposure. Access to health care may also become a risk factor for the disease because if this service is unable to be accessed by an individual due to inequities such as cultural barriers (McGibbon, Etowa, & McPherson, 2008), then these individuals may be unable to access skin check services and therefore any abnormal moles or spots may continue to grow and potentially become skin cancer. Thus, early detection and treatment are not possible in individuals with little or no access to healthcare services. The environments in which an individual works in could also act as a risk factor for skin cancer. Many populations work in environments that are outside, thus, they are exposed to UVR. Due to a typical work day being at least 5 hours in length and typical work
Those who may spend the vast majority of their week indoors but go to the beach on the weekends or outside on vacations are much more likely to develop a skin cancer than those who spend regular time outdoors. There are also risk factors that put some people at a higher risk for developing skin cancers, as well. These include:
Often times , most people do not think twice about the dangers of skin cancer . The leading cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to the sun. Skin cancer can be prevented , as well as treatable with the help of suns
The third factor that plays a major role in causing skin cancer is the Ozone layer. It helps protect people from ultraviolet radiation. However, the ozone layer is shrinking and this is due to man-made products like sprays and combustion of cars that are emitted in the atmosphere. This process is allowing more ultraviolet penetration to the earth thus increasing risk of skin cancer (Bair, 1991, P. 367,368). Ultraviolet radiation are the chief causes for skin cancer because the UV radiation
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.
Skin cancer is a very real and common health problem for Australians, with 2 in 3 developing this deadly disease by the age of 70 (Lynch, 2006). “Due to the Australian climate and lifestyle, as well as a predominantly fair skinned population, skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia,” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2000). For the most effective prevention against skin cancer, it is recommended that a combination of sun safety measures are met; slip, slop, slap, seek, slide (Slip on sun protective clothing, slop on water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, slide on sunglasses), (Preventing Skin Cancer, 2017). By simply reducing recreational sun exposure, the risk of developing melanoma –
Skin cancer is a very common form of cancer in Australia. People are exposed to ultraviolet radiation more extensively than anywhere else in the world. Cancer is a disease in which cells grow and divide aggressively. These cells invade and destroy other tissues and sometimes spread to other areas in the body.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Consider that 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with high exposure to UV radiation from the sun (which means 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are preventable!) WebMD reports that Melanoma ( a severe type of skin cancer) often starts as a change in skin or a mole growth.
The majority of skin cancer is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources such as solariums. Research indicates that it is not just the overall amount of UV radiation that determines the risk of skin cancer, but also the pattern of exposure that shapes that risk, as well as the type of skin cancer that develops. Anyone can develop skin cancer but many people in Australia are at higher risk than others. People who work indoors and have infrequent but intense periods of exposure may be at higher risk of melanoma than someone who works outdoors but avoids being sunburnt.
Skin cancer is the most common out of all cancers. About 3.5 million cases are basal and squamous cells. Melanoma a more dangerous skin cancer had 73,000 cases in 2015.The most common types of skin cancer are basal, melanoma and squamous cell skin carcinoma. Basal a type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells. Melanoma the most serious type of skin cancer. Squamous cell skin carcinoma a form of skin cancer that develops in the cells of the outer layer of the skin. Skin cancer begins in the cells that make up the epidermis. When the DNA that controls the cells growth is damaged, it causes an overgrowth and build up of skin cells. Eventually, this skin cell buildup forms a tumor, which results in the symptoms you see. Some causes of skin cancer are sun, solar radiation, ultraviolet tanning
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of cells, and there are three main types of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and lastly malignant melanoma, the one that we are going to focus on. While it is not the most common type of skin cancer, that is basal cell carcinoma, it is the most dangerous/deadly.
as stated earlier in the essay, the incidence of people treated for skin cancer compared to the population means that two percent of the population will be treated or diagnosed every year however there is a group particularly affected by these statistics. According to the Cancer Council Australia (2014), non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in men than in women, this may be due to the fact that men may wear less when going out in the sun and will take risks more, possibly by not wearing protective clothing and sunscreen. As well as this fact it is also conveyed that the age group most affected by melanoma is ranged between 15-44 years old, this may be due to people from this age group especially teenagers and young adults tanning on
After analyzing all of the types of cancers noted in my book, I realized that I am more susceptible to skin cancers. The reason that I am more likely to acquire skin cancer is because I am exposed to the sun a lot. I have a lot of sun exposure because of my job. The job that I have is for landscapers, and I help my dad mow lawns all year long. Since I work outside all the time, I am more at risk of getting skin cancer than any other type of cancer.
Melanoma skin cancer is a very fast moving cancer and it spreads throughout the body, unlike non melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma has four different stages and the survival rate is different for each stage. The survival rate for stage one melanoma is ninety seven percent, but the survival rate for stage two melanoma is eighty one percent. The survival rate for stage three melanoma is seventy eight percent to fifty nine percent, and the survival rate for stage four melanoma is fifteen to twenty percent (“American Cancer Society”). African Americans are not prone to Melanoma skin cancer; However, when African Americans do develop Melanoma skin cancer, those individuals tend to have a shorter survival rate. Non melanoma skin cancers, such as Basal Cell Carcinoma, have a higher survival rate. “More than almost 90 out of every 100 people (90%) with basal cell skin cancer are cured” and “about 90 out of every 100 people with squamous cell skin cancer are cured” (“Skin Cancer”). Basal Cell Carcinoma are growths that appear from basal cells. Basal cell carcinoma, unlike Melanoma skin cancer, does not spread throughout the body. Squamous cell carcinoma are not only growths that appear from the squamous cells, but also are rarely ever deadly; however, it can be deadly, if it is left to continuously grow. The survival rates for skin cancer can affect an individual's life in many
Thesis: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States but is highly curable if detected early and treated properly.
The scariest fact found when researching the effects of exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is that ninety present of skin cancer is caused by it. Doesn’t knowing the facts make you want to shield yourself and your children by never going outside again? Unfortunately, that is just imposable but educating our youth is the first step to prevention since most sun exposure is achieved before the age of eighteen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one out of every five American’s will develop skin cancer. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common