Skin Cancer Research Paper

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.

It is usually caused by intense exposure from ultraviolet radiation such as sun or tanning beds. Melanoma is when damaged DNA from this high exposure triggers mutations in the body that leads to the intense multiplication of cancerous cells. Melanoma cancer can look almost like a mole and can range from skin colored to black or brown in color. If caught and treated early it is curable, however if not caught early it can spread into the body and cause other cancerous cells or death. There are four types of melanoma skin cancers: superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna, acral lentiginous melanoma and nodular melanoma. Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common and is usually seen in young people, but in all ages as well. It is known for growing along the epidermis for a long period of time before penetrating into the skin. This can also be found almost anywhere on the body but usually for men on their upper bodies and for females on their legs but also upper bodies. Lentigo maligna is known for its appearance for can look similar to a tan or dark discoloration. It is usually found in the elderly population and is the most common in areas of Hawaii. It is found on the upper body, arms, facial area and ears. Acral lentiginous melanoma is known for its appearance under the nails, palms of the hands or feet as a dark discoloration. It is mostly common in Asian and African-American cultures and can

This form is the least dangerious out of the skin cancer forms. This one grows very slow but it is located on your head, neck and upper torso.this can appear to be on dry or lumpy on yourskin and can appear to be scaly. This is red,pearly and pale looking in color. This can form to be a sore that wont heal properly on you skin.

It arises from the melanocytes. Melanomas often resemble moles and it is very important to know the difference between the two. Melanomas are usually black or brown but can also be skin-colored. They form a large flat spreading lesion with a rough border. On the contrary, a mole usually has an organized color and even contour, and no longer than the end of a pencil eraser (6mm). The greatest risk factor is those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. It occurs more in men, redheads, and severe UV exposure experiencing severe sunburn as in childhood. An oncogene called BRAF is responsible for ⅔ of cases of melanoma in men although it does not appear to trigger melanoma in woman although it has been connected to some breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women. The BRAF mutation is commonly found in moles. To recognize melanoma The American Cancer Society created an “ABCD rule”: A for asymmetry-irregular shape; B for border irregularity-not smooth but wavy, wrinkled, scalloped or rough. C for Color- black, brown, skin colored-tan, and even sometimes red or blue; and D for diameter greater than 6mm. The survival rate of metastatic melanoma is slim with the average patient living only 6 months after diagnosis and only around 5-14% surviving after 5 years (Saladin,

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

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

“Skin cancers are the most prevalent form of cancer in the Unites States An estimated 11,790 people die of skin cancer each year, 8700 from malignant melanoma” (Huether, McCance, 2012, p. 1058). Since melanoma is the most prevalent form of cancer, it is important to understand what causes it, what it does, who is at a higher risk, and possible treatment routes.

The second most common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the squamous cell, this is mostly composed  of the epidermis. This type of cancer can become deadly if it’s not treated on time. And over 1 million people are diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the U.S per year.  Squamous cell carcinoma looks like warts and it is also cause caused by overexposure to the sun's UV rays.  Squamous cell carcinoma can also be treated with  surgeries or exposure to radiation of X-ray Beams. Finally the  most dangerous and deadly  form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma is also caused by UV rays and tanning happens when unrepaired DNA is  damage in  skin cells which leads to the cells to multiply and form deadly tumors and this produces melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. This type of cancer can be treated if it is detected early, but if not it is fatal. An estimated of 10,136 people die by this type of cancer a year in the U.S alone.   And melanoma can only be treated by means of surgeries. This is the story of a 23 year old girl named Natalie. Nately began tanning regularly during her freshman year at Boston university. Natalie stated that “I tanned because I felt like it

Melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer, but is the most serious. Melanoma arises when the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes mutate and become cancerous. Most pigment cells are found in the skin. Melanoma can also affect the eyes, and other parts of the

Of NMSC, the two main types are basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer. They grow from the basal cells or the squamous cells, hence the name, on the skin’s outer layer. The common cause of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers is from sun-exposure. The NMSCs are commonly found on the areas of the skin exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, face, ears, neck lips, and backs of hands. These cancer cells can be easily treated when found small and contained. Basal cell cancers are rarely found to spread, whereas squamous cell cancers are more likely to spread than basal cell

The skin protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, it also helps control body temperature and stores water and fat. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It usually forms in skin that has been exposed to sunlight, but can occur anywhere on the body. Skin has several layers. Skin cancer begins in the epidermis (outer layer), which is made up of squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. There are several different types of skin cancer. Squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers are sometimes called nonmelanoma skin cancers. Nonmelanoma skin cancer usually responds to treatment and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Melanoma is more aggressive than most other types of skin cancer. If it isn’t diagnosed early,

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Anyone can get melanoma but if detected early on, it can be cured most of the time. If there is no early detection, it can spread to different parts of the body where it becomes difficult to treat and can be fatal. Cancer growths develop

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States, where approximately 3.5 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 75000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. (American Journal of Public Health) There is around 9000 deaths for each year from indoor and outdoor UV beams (American Journal of Public Health). Melanoma skin malignancy creates from the melanocytes and non-melanomas skin growth creates from the basal and squamous cells. To viably treat melanoma there is billions of dollars spent every year. The main source of skin tumor is tanning inside and outside.

The symptoms range slightly in the different types of skin cancers. Usually a person will not notice symptoms of skin cancer until it becomes rather large. As it gets bigger, it can bleed or even hurt. Consider melanoma. It can occur anywhere on the body. A melanoma may look like a mole, but it is important to know the difference between a mole and skin cancer. The ABCD rule, which stands for asymmetry, border irregularity, color, and diameter provides good guidelines to help differentiate whether a mole is normal or is a melanoma. Some things to look for are a dark spot that is not symmetrical on both sides. Notice if it has an irregular shape with rough or jagged borders, or if the spot is more than one color and not just one solid color. Any of these warning signs should cause alarm and the spot should be examined by a professional for cancer. Basal cell cancer, which is non-melanoma, may be a pink, brown, or black skin growth in the shape of a dome that has blood vessels in it. At first, a basal cell carcinoma can appear as a pearly, natural skin colored bump that looks like a mole or a pimple that won’t go away. These carcinomas are usually delicate or sensitive and can bleed easily. Sometimes these growths can look dark, and may contain waxy, hard skin. Another skin cancer to watch for may appear as slightly scaly patches on skin. This could be squamous cell carcinoma and some symptoms to look for are a bump or lump on the skin that can feel rough and may have a dome-like shape, just like basal cell carcinoma. Also, be suspicious of a bump or lump that feels crusty, one that bleeds as it grows, a sore that doesn’t heal, or one that heals and returns again, or even a flat, reddish, scaly patch that grows slowly. These could indicate Bowen’s Disease, a type of squamous cell

C. Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, it kills one person per hour, these cancerous growths are most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. These tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole.