Cancer treatment

Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most common are melanoma, basal call carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Although melanoma is not found as often as other skin cancers, it is one of the most well known because it causes the most deaths related to skin cancer. Melanoma is hard to treat, with the most effective option being simply removing the part of the skin that is affected. However, this has to be done early in order to be at all successful. There are approximately 160,000 new cases of melanoma each year. Approximately 48,000 people die of melanoma each year. Melanoma can be caused by exposure to the sun. This is particularly significant if a person has had a bad sunburn during childhood. White males usually get melanoma more than any other group, and people living in sunny climates are at higher risk. There is also a genetic risk factor.

Melanomas are usually noticed by detecting a change in skin moles. If there is any change to the mole, this might mean that a melanoma is present. Individuals should check their moles to see if the size, color or shape has changed. They should also alert their doctor if a mole becomes itchy or starts to bleed. If a patient has a family history of melanoma, they should be examined by a doctor at least once a year as part of a preventative plan.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor of the epithelium cells. It occurs in many areas of the body besides the skin including the mouth, lungs and cervix. Squamous cell carcinomas make up about 20% of all skin cancer cases. It is most often caused by continuous exposure to sunlight over a long period of time. If an area is suspected to be cancerous, a biopsy will be done. If cancer is found, surgery will be done to remove the area.

The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. In the United States, there are approximately 800,000 new cases per year. It occurs most commonly in individuals who have fair skin and have been exposed to the sun. There is also a genetic component, as this cancer also occurs in areas which are not exposed to the sun. Luckily, basal cell carcinomas rarely cause death and can be treated successfully in most cases. They can cause disfiguration when the cancer is on the nose, lips, ears, or eyes.

What are the skin cancer warning signs and what can be done to help prevent skin cancer?

In recent years, a lot of attention has been focused on the prevention of skin cancer. Of course, skin cancer is not a new disease but as scientists have learned more about how to prevent it, they realized that early detection is the key. It is important, therefore, that people are aware of what they can do to prevent skin cancer and what to keep an eye out for so that they can catch the cancer in time.

There are two main risk factors for skin cancer. The first is sun exposure. People who live in sunny areas, people who are continuously exposed to the sunlight, or people who were badly sunburned as children are all at a higher risk. Fair-skinned people are high risk as well. It is important that everyone be protected when they go out in the sun. Sunscreen should be worn all the time, even if the day seems cloudy or not that hot. This is especially important for those with fair skin and for children. If you are going to be exposed to the sun for a long period of time, you should try to cover up as much skin as possible with hats, long pants, or jackets. Young children should always wear a wide-brimmed hat when playing out in the sun. The second component of skin cancer risk is genetic. Some people are just more apt to get skin cancer than others. There is nothing you can do about this, but if you know you are at a greater risk because of your family, you should be even more vigilant in checking for skin cancer warning signs.

What are the skin cancer warning signs and what can be done to help prevent skin cancer?

In recent years, a lot of attention has been focused on the prevention of skin cancer. Of course, skin cancer is not a new disease but as scientists have learned more about how to prevent it, they realized that early detection is the key. It is important, therefore, that people are aware of what they can do to prevent skin cancer and what to keep an eye out for so that they can catch the cancer in time.

There are two main risk factors for skin cancer. The first is sun exposure. People who live in sunny areas, people who are continuously exposed to the sunlight, or people who were badly sunburned as children are all at a higher risk. Fair-skinned people are high risk as well. It is important that everyone be protected when they go out in the sun. Sunscreen should be worn all the time, even if the day seems cloudy or not that hot. This is especially important for those with fair skin and for children. If you are going to be exposed to the sun for a long period of time, you should try to cover up as much skin as possible with hats, long pants, or jackets. Young children should always wear a wide-brimmed hat when playing out in the sun. The second component of skin cancer risk is genetic. Some people are just more apt to get skin cancer than others. There is nothing you can do about this, but if you know you are at a greater risk because of your family, you should be even more vigilant in checking for skin cancer warning signs.

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.

These symptoms may indicate presence of SCC-

A red bump on sun-exposed skin which does not go away. This will be found mainly on sun exposed areas - the face, head, hands, or shoulders.

A growing irritated or reddish patch and forms a sore.

A new skin growth that looking like a wart.

A sore on the lower lip, that does not heal or an area of thickened skin on the lower lip, especially in smokers or tobacco chewers or those, whose lips are exposed to the sun and wind.

Any diseased area of skin (lesion) can indicate SCC and should be examined if it has changed colour, shape, size, or appearance or has not healed after an injury.

Diagnosis of Squamous Cell Cancer

The SCC tumors may be tender to the touch due to their rapid growth and inflammatory reaction. In the latter of growth they may ulcerate and affect nerves with subsequent pain. A biopsy confirms the presence of SCC.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Cancer

Surgery to remove the cancer is the treatment of choice. The treatment will however depend upon a variety of factors including size and location of the lesion, type of tumor, and age of the patient.

Radiation therapy is an effective option for many tumors, especially large lesions on the nose, lips, or eyelids, and for those who can not undergo surgery. The radiation destroys the tumor cells along with some surrounding healthy tissue. Cryosurgery, is also useful in some cases. This method uses liquid Nitrogen to remove the cancer. The wound created by the procedure usually heals within 4 weeks.

We tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer, especially with our kids. But the sun’s warm rays transmit danger in the form of skin cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet light in the sun’s rays begins to damage unprotected skin from childhood. It results in an increased risk of skin cancer in adulthood, and the destruction of collagen and elastin in our skin which causes thinning, wrinkling and skin spots (texture and pigment irregularities).

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Skin is the body’s largest organ and our greatest defense against the environment. As such, it’s important to protect it from the sun’s damaging rays.

Following is a true/false quiz to test your Sun Protection Factor (SPF) IQ:

1. SPF is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect my skin from cancer.

False. SPF measures only UVB protection. Light from the sun contains different wavelengths of ultraviolet light. UVA is most closely associated with cancer and aging, whereas UVB rays primarily cause burning.

2. If I use sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” then I will be protected from UVA and UVB.

False. “Broad spectrum” is not regulated. Read the labels and look for products containing avobenzone or helioplex. The best overall blockers also contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

Ahh! Fun times in the summer sun!!! Summer and vacation means spending time outdoors in the pool, at the beach, playing tennis, golf, swimming and much more.

However, there is a huge downside to spending all that time in the sun. SKIN CANCER.

I speak from experience and have a happy ending but my story could have ended very badly.

I grew up living in the country with a love of the outdoors and sports. Along with my two sisters I spent many hours a day outside riding horses, playing basketball and swimming in the many lakes that were near our childhood home.