Skin Cancer Treatment Blog

Posts Tagged ‘effective skin cancer treatment’

You may be wondering “What is skin cancer?”  There are three primary types of skin cancer and they are called Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Malignant Melanoma.  It is a disease that millions of Americans suffer from and is the most common form of cancer in humans.  Its primary cause is too much exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet light.  It usually presents itself in the following manner:  A change in the skin’s appearance or as a sore that will not heal.  If either of these conditions last longer than two weeks, it is advisable to seek medical attention.  Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma are more common and less dangerous than Malignant Melanoma.  The more common forms are easy to cure as long as they are diagnosed early.  Treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health condition and where the cancer is located.

There are precautions that can be taken to prevent developing skin cancer.  Avoiding any exposure to the sun is recommended for fair-skinned people.  Monitoring skin conditions, by self-examination and during routine physical exams, is another way to prevent the disease from spreading.  People who have already had the disease should be especially cognizant of their skin condition because the disease tends to reappear.  Any susceptible individual should have regular medical checkups.

The best recommended ways to prevent skin cancer are by limiting exposure to the sun, avoiding the sun around noon, wearing wide-brimmed hats and other protective clothing while outdoors in the sun, using a SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, seeing a doctor regularly or when changing lesions or growths appear on the skin, and avoid using tanning beds.   Artificial tans are something that many people want before going on vacation to get that  tropical look without the sun and to get a slight level of protection from the sun.  However, the protection is SPF 6 and only helps slightly in the protection again the sun’s ultraviolet rays.  Freckled people sunburn easily and are very susceptible to developing skin cancer so they need to be especially mindful in applying adequate sunscreen.  It is very important to remember to apply sunscreen at least every two to three hours for the best protection.  Swimming and other physical activity weaken the effects of sunscreen.

The answer to your question, “What is skin cancer?” has been easily answered because this type of cancer is very common and easy to diagnose.

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The leading cause of skin cancer is the result of a lifestyle that includes exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light and spending a lot of time outdoors.  Many people ask, “What does skin cancer look like?”   Looking at the definition of skin cancer and at some of the most common warning signs are ways to answer this question.   Because the disease is so prevalent, it is important that everyone be aware of any changes in their skin, such as scaly patches, unusual moles and sores that don’t heal properly.

The three types of skin cancer – Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Malignant Melanoma – have different and unique characteristics.  The disease usually strikes areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun.  However, other areas of the body that get no sunlight can also be affected.  Early detection is the best way to cure the disease.  The disease tends to re-occur quite often in people who have had the disease in the past.  It’s important to bear in mind that almost all types of skin cancer can be completely avoided if exposure to the sun is limited and if a person recognizes changes in the condition of his or her skin.

Many people want to be able to recognize a cancerous condition if they notice something odd on their skin.  Anything that appears on the skin that is unusual should be taken seriously and reported to a medical professional.   Things such as pimples, scars, moles, blemishes, skin pigmentation and so on should be looked at as potential cancers.  The manifestation of skin cancer warning signs depend on several factors:  the stage of the cancer, the severity of the disease, the person’s own body type, and the type and location of the cancer itself.  Actually, any skin abnormality should be looked at by a doctor because all skin cancers present themselves in different ways.  The person’s own physical makeup and lifestyle determine just how their particular cancer will appear on the skin.  This makes the question, “What does skin cancer look like?” difficult to answer because there are so many variables involved.

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There are two groups of skin cancer and they are known as non-melanoma and melanoma.  The two most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer are Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  These two skin cancers are least dangerous but they still need medical attention.  Recognizing the symptoms of skin cancer is something that every person should know because more that 1 million people will be diagnosed with the disease this year.

The symptoms for non-melanoma skin cancer are quite easy to recognize and any changes to the skin should be monitored closely.  A small, shiny, waxy, pale and smooth lump or mole appearing on the skin’s surface can be an early warning sign.  A firm red lump or mole is another sign.  Individuals should also watch for a sore that bleeds or becomes crusty and for any sore that does not heal.  Another warning sign that might indicate skin cancer is rough or scaly patches on the skin’s surface.  These areas might be red or brownish in color.  And, any new growth appearing on the skin might indicate that a cancerous skin condition is emerging.

Anyone can get skin cancer and there are certain traits that make people more susceptible to the disease.  People who have fair skin tones and freckles tend to contract the disease more easily than others.  People who sunburn easily are also more susceptible.  Light eye color (green or blue) makes skin cancer more likely, especially if the person also has red or blond hair.  People who spend lots of time outdoors also run a greater risk.  And, a family history or personal history of skin cancer puts the person at a greater risk for developing the disease.

Anyone who is at all concerned about developing skin cancer should consult with their medical provider.  The doctor will talk about the symptoms of skin cancer and evaluate whether or not the person is prone to the disease.  He or she may make recommendations on how the disease can be prevented and/or perform a biopsy on questionable moles or skin areas.  The best cure for the disease is early detection and being able to prevent and recognize skin cancer symptoms.

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There are several skin cancer warning signs that you should be aware of and all of them need to be taken seriously until a definite diagnosis is made.  Any growth on the skin that tends to be increasing in size and is pearly, translucent, brownish or multicolored is a signal that skin cancer is present.  Also, a mole, birthmark or any brown spot that shows a change in color, increases in shape or size, has a texture change, is irregularly shaped, is larger than 6mm or appears after age 21 are several other warning signs.  A sore that itches, crusts, scabs, hurts or bleeds is something else to watch out for.  And any sore that does not heal within three weeks is a possible candidate for skin cancer.

Most skin cancers occur in body areas that have been exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.  The cancerous growths occur more often in light-skinned individuals who have blond or red hair and are blue- or green-eyed.  There are also pre-cancerous conditions known as Actinic Keratoses which need to be identified early so that future problems can ruled out and prevented.

Society today is much more intuitive about health hazards from exposure to the sun.  It is highly recognized that ultraviolet light is harmful and can cause devastating skin cancer.  Individuals today are very cognizant about using sunscreens and tanning beds to lessen the chance of developing skin cancer.  However, previous exposure to the sun while growing up also is an indicator that a person is highly susceptible to getting the disease.  In previous years, the long-term effects of sun exposure were not recognized and people were not careful about protecting themselves or their loved ones when they were outdoors in the sunlight.  Unfortunately, these people have had to deal with getting the disease years later, even if they have been extremely careful to follow an anti-cancer regimen.

There are four main ways to identify a mole or lesion that might be cancerous.  First of all, half the mole is different in shape from the other half.  The border of the mole is irregular and might appear curvy.  The color varies throughout the entire mole.  And, the diameter of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser.

There are many ways to prevent skin cancer and they include:  1.) Avoid sun exposure between the hours of 11am to 2am, 2.)  Always wear sunscreen, 3.) Use an umbrella, sun hat and/or protective clothing, 4.) Use self-tanners, not tanning beds, and 5.) Check your moles on a regular basis.  By following these prevention tips, you may very well avoid having to deal with skin cancer warning signs.

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There are many types of skin cancer and they all fall into three main categories: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Malignant Melanoma, which is the most serious. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell carcinomas are also known as nonmelanoma and they are less dangerous. All of these cancers need immediate attention from a medical provider to make sure that they don’t become life threatening. Knowing the symptoms and warning signs are important for everyone so that any skin changes are looked at by a medical professional.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is very common and accounts for almost 90% of the skin cancers reported in the United States. It is almost always treatable and curable because it grows very slowly and rarely spreads to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a little more serious than Basal Cell Carcinoma because it has a tendency to spread throughout the body. However, the spreading occurs slowly so early detection is a must. Surrounding lymph nodes are the first to be invaded by Squamous Cell Carcinoma and they are often removed to prevent further spreading of the cancerous cells.

Malignant Melanoma is a very serious skin cancer because it spreads quickly via the lymph nodes or blood and often attacks internal organs. It can be life threatening if not treated quickly and aggressively. Malignant Melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer, which is a disease that prevents cells from dividing and growing normally.

A tumor is often formed when this type of cancer invades a lesion, mole or surface of the skin. A skin tumor is considered to be benign if only a fell cell layers are involved and no invasion has occurred to the surrounding tissues. If this happens, then the tumor becomes malignant and is much more serious. However, it is important to remember that most skin cancer is benign and is usually treated successfully. Malignant Melanomas metastasize and spread to other parts of the body quickly without warning.

All of the above types of skin cancer should be taken seriously until a final diagnosis is made by a physician. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas are very curable and have a high success rate. On the other hand, Malignant Melanoma skin tumors can be deadly and need immediate treatment so that they have a better chance of being eliminated.

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