Skin cancer
The topic of skin cancer can be a scary one but it's a reality that should never be ignored or overlooked. The more you know about this health problem, the easier it will be for you to protect not only yourself but your family, friends, and loved ones.
In recent years, the medical community has been doing all it can to educate the public about the dangers of cancer and teach proper sun care. While the majority of people are aware of the risk the sun presents, there are still those that do not heed the warnings and put themselves at risk.
Melanoma is the worst type of skin cancer you can develop. It attacks the skin and quickly metastasizes (spreads) to invade and attack the internal organs. If it isn't diagnosed early, melanoma can be fatal.
Of course melanoma isn't the only kind of cancer affecting the skin. Two other common forms of are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. These two conditions are also known as nonmelanoma cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the squamous cells within the tissues on the surface of the skin. These cells can also be found in the digestive tracts, lining of hollow body organs, and the respiratory passages. Those with light-colored skin are more prone to getting this type of cancer. Symptoms include rough, red bumps on the face, ears, scalp, and the back of the hands. Often sore and tender to the touch, the bumps can metastasize to other parts of the body. There are various treatments that can be done depending on the severity of the case. The most common treatments are surgical excision to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells, and a procedure called curettage and desiccation. This process involves scooping out the sqaumous cell carcinoma and using an electric current to kill leftover cancer cells and control bleeding.
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that causes damage by growing and invading surrounding tissues within the body. Basal cell carcinoma takes the form of a small, dome-shaped bump, which is covered by small blood vessels. These can appear on the back or chest and often look like patches of dry, raw skin. Over a period of a few months or years the bumps continue to grow and spread. Treatment for basal cell carcinoma is the same as that for squamous cell carcinoma.
It is possible to have benign (non-cancerous) forms of these conditions but that doesn't mean you should take your chances by going out in the sun unprotected. Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist if skin cancer runs in your family, or you feel that you could be more at risk, or notice changes in your skin.
