I know it from experience. Bruises on my hands do not heal. They have not for the last 13 years and no matter what, they will stay. I look like an alien at times with my broken skin. You think putting on a rubber glove is helpful? Well, no.
The condition of my skin got worse after sweating in the glove. Rubber and heat are a killer combination for sensitive skin.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.Skin cancer the abnormal growth of skin cells most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, so a tumor is usually clearly visible. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the single most important cause of skin cancer, especially when the overexposure resulted in sunburn and blistering. This makes most skin cancers etectable in the early stages. There are three common types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises.
The two most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinomas have an excellent cure rate when detected early.
Together, these two are also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is generally the most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) throughout the body quickly. Skin cancers are the fastest growing cancers in the United States and in the USA represent the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer.While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80 percent appear on the face, head, or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.
Skin cancer prevention is preached by medical professionals all over the United States. This is no surprise given that the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation reported more than one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005. Despite the medical evidence available on skin cancer, our society remains focused on tanning beds and sunbathing without using the proper protection.
Although it is not the deadliest form of cancer, skin cancer has earned the notorious label of being the most common type of cancer suffered by those in the United States. With this statistic, it makes sense to want to learn as much as possible about how to prevent skin cancer. Which groups of people are most likely to get skin cancer? What can we do to make ourselves less susceptible to this disorder?
Studies have shown that some skin types are more prone to the damaging effects of the sun and its ultraviolet rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there are six different skin types. They are ranked in progressive order with skin type one being the most vulnerable to sun damage while skin type six is least vulnerable. However, even those who are not as vulnerable to skin damage from the sun should still take precautionary steps to protect themselves from harmful UV rays.
Here are descriptions of the six skin types. Type one consists of extremely fair skinned people. People with this skin type tend to burn severely and do not tan. They generally have blonde or red hair and blue or green eyes. For those with type two skin, their skin is also fair and burns easily but they will eventually develop a little bit of a tan. The eyes and hair of these people are generally a bit darker than those with skin type one.
People with skin type three have darker skin which may burn, but will turn to tan. Those with even darker skin that always tans quickly make up skin type four. Skin type five contains those with brown skin while type six includes those with black skin.
Over half the forms of cancer diagnosed every year are skin cancer, and it is one of the most common forms of cancer among men. According to the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2007 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet, one out of five Americans will contract skin cancer at some point in their lives, and if you’ve had more than five sunburns in your life, you’ve doubled your risk of getting the disease.
In light of these startling statistics and with new scientific research about the dangers of sun exposure constantly being released to the public, why are people still choosing to forgo sun protection?
Men seem to be especially susceptible to carelessness when it comes to protecting their skin from the sun’s rays. In a study conducted by the University of Texas, only 34% of men interviewed said they regularly used a sunscreen. This is in comparison to approximately 78% of women. Higher instances of sun carelessness could be attributed to athletic lifestyles, outdoor jobs and the fact that while a great deal of recent attention has been given to women’s skin health, men are often left to find information out for themselves.
The true horror of skin cancer is that it is one of the most preventable forms of the disease. We at MenScience are very concerned about this epidemic among men and want to provide them with the tools and knowledge to prevent them from becoming future victims. With improved attention and awareness, the number of men who will contract skin cancer can be dramatically reduced.
Skin cancers are broadly divided into two types- Melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly of skin cancers. The three major skin cancers that are diagnosed in almost all the cases are- Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. All these cancers are named after the type of cell in which they begin. Thus Basal Cell Carcinoma begins in the skin cells located in the lowest layer of epidermis, which is called the basal layer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma develops from the upper layer of the epidermis named squamous layer and Melanoma begins from the melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that give skin its color.
Basal Cell Cancer
It is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancers. It affects the basal cells, which are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Malignant cells proliferate excessively from the epidermis resulting in a tumor. The incidence of basal cell cancer increases with age. Almost all people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma can expect to live at least another 5 years.
Though it generally does not spread to distant sites (metastasize), and is, therefore, less fatal. Basal cell carcinoma can invade normal tissue and damage deeper tissues of muscles and bones, and disfigure the skin. On its return, Basal cell carcinoma can be more aggressive. During recurrence it may grow faster and cause more tissue damage.
Squamous Cell Cancer
This type of cancer involves the malignancy and proliferation of squamous (flat, scaly) cells. The squamous cell or keratinocyte, is the most abundant cell in the epidermis. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is usually localized, but it can spread (metastasize). It is easily treated and cured when confined to the skin. Most cutaneous SCC develops in individuals with known factors, such as excessive exposure to the sun.
My God Mother is 81 years young. She has one son and one grandson.
Little John her grandson is now a senior at LSU. When Little John was four years old he could read anything you would put in front of him. His Mother and Father both have master degrees. His Mother read to him when he was still in her womb.
His Grandmother, who is my Godmother would take him on Saturday mornings to McDonalds. When they would pass my bicycle shop about 13 years ago, he wanted to stop and talk to Mitch. My God Mother calls me Mitch. He would beg her to stop. She would tell him that I was too busy.
I let little John use my computer. Little John was very smart. His Mother had him reading War & Peace when he was five years old. I owned a white Ford Van back then. Little John wanted to see my Ford van. I brought him to the parking lot to see my van. I raised him up in the front seat. He saw SRS on the steering wheel. He asked me if I knew what SRS meant. I said no.
He told me it meant Secondary Restraining System, that is the air bag.
He continued to tell me that the seat belt was the Primary restraining system. Little John told me his Mother’s friend has a Van like just like this one and she let him read the book. I told him so many times. “Your The BEST!” Little John loved to hear that he was the BEST.
I said John, I have friends that are not as smart as you. He said, Mitch you know that you can get new friends. One day one of my five younger sisters, was having a crawfish party in her back yard. All of our very large family was arriving at the party. I was sitting in the back yard with my grandson on my knee. My grandson was about 3 or 4 years old. John was about 5 years old.
Basal Cell Cancer is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancers. It affects the basal cells, which are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Malignant cells proliferate excessively from the epidermis resulting in a tumor. The incidence of basal cell cancer increases with age. Almost all people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma can expect to live at least another 5 years.
Causes of Basal Cell Cancer
It is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main risk factor for developing BCCs. While its occurrence is more in older people, it is becoming more common in younger people even in their 20s and 30s.
Fair-skinned people have a much greater risk for BCC. Radiation treatments, as well as immune suppression, also increase one’s risk. In western countries, those who use tanning beds also have an elevated risk for BCCs. People with several inherited disorders that manifest a greater sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, have an increased prevalence of BCC.
Signs & Symptoms of Basal Cell Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is seen most often on the head and neck, but can affect any area.
The typical signs of BCC are:
An open sore that has not healed in three weeks and is oozing, bleeding or crusting.
A irritated patch of skin, especially on the face, neck, chest, arms, or legs.
Any new, smooth skin nodule (bump) with a raised border and indented center. Or a smooth, shiny, or pearly bump that looks like a mole or cyst.
A scar especially on the face, with a shiny look of tight-looking skin, and poorly defined edges.
Occasional BCCs can be pigmented (dark), particularly in darker-skinned individuals. In these cases, the tumors manifest the same signs of a non-pigmented variant, except they are brown instead of pink.
A fairly common BCC variant is superficial BCC. It rarely invades and is typically confined to the epidermis. It is seen on the trunk and extremities and appears as a red, scaly plaque, with crusting. Because of its similarity in appearance and slow growth, to that of eczema or psoriasis, it becomes difficult to diagnose.
A form of BCC known as morpheaform or sclerosing BCC causes a more aggressive lesion. It looks whitish, without a defined edge, and is firm to the touch. It may look like a scar and can blend in fairly well with the surrounding skin, thus escaping detection for years, while continuing to spread. When these tumors are removed, they are surprisingly larger than expected.
Diagnosis of Basal Cell Cancer
A Doctor can often diagnose basal cell carcinoma on sight. However, formal diagnosis is essential, especially given the possibility of morpheaform BCC. A skin biopsy is almost always done to confirm diagnosis. A biopsy also determines the presence of a more aggressive form of skin cancer, such as malignant melanoma.
Treatment of Basal Cell Cancer
The treatment for BCC aims at the removal of the cancer, prevent the spread of cancer, and minimize any damage from treatment to nearby healthy tissue. Treatment options may involve removal of the entire skin growth with surgery, radiation therapy and drug treatment.
Because non-melanoma skin cancer usually grows slowly, it often can be detected and treated early in its development, which increases the chance of treatment being successful. Educating the patients about self-examination is important, as recurrence of skin cancer is possible.
High Risk Groups
People with light skin colour are more at risk of getting BCC, but BCC does occur in dark skinned people. Those who have a family history of skin cancer or a personal history of skin cancer are also at a much higher risk. The risk for BCC is high in people who have had kidney or heart transplants or in those who are immuno-suppressed due to other reasons.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. When our body comes in the contact of sunlight there may be chances of skin cancers. and it results in sunburn and blistering. There are three forms of skin cancer:
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma – This skin cancer may appear as a bump or as a red, scaly patch. It is the second most common skin cancer found in fair-skinned persons and is typically found on the rim of the ear, face lips and mouth.
• Malignant Melanoma – This is the most deadly of all skin cancers and it is estimated that 7,300 Americans die annually from melanoma. Like the less aggressive skin cancers, it is almost always curable when detected in its early stages. Excessive sun exposure, particularly sunburn, is the most important preventable cause of melanoma.