Skin cancer is a killer. This is a proven fact which is borne out by the millions of deaths that occur each year on account of it. The problem of global warming has indeed depleted the ozone layer which means that the harmful UV rays of the sun percolate in and affect people who are exposed to these rays for extended periods of time. It is true that the problem of world pollution has reached such alarming proportions that one can really not go to the beach and sun oneself for long periods of time, without having a fear that one would get skin cancer.
As the sun is the largest source of skin cancer, it follows naturally that preventing exposure to the sun would naturally be the most effective means of preventing skin cancer. For instance experts say that it is advisable to avoid going into the sun without adequate protection between 11 am to 4 pm when the sun's rays are most direct. Similarly, one has to be generous with applying sun tan lotion which keeps the sun's UV rays out decisively. There are so many kinds of lotions that are available in the market nowadays. One should be careful to ascertain that the sun tan lotion that one is using is as good as it is touted or advertised to be.
When you walk out on a cloudy day, you may think that the sun's rays are hidden. But the UV rays of the sun do percolate or filter through even the cloud cover, which can lead to a sun burn on an ostensibly cloudy day. When you move out during the say, do make sure to use hats or even umbrellas to protect yourself from the direct and strong rays of the sun as these can be very harmful for your health.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Effective Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer can be a terrible disease depending on the type it is and the severity and location of the disease. It is the most common form of cancer that is being diagnosed today and over 1 million Americans get it each year. Most skin cancer is highly curable if diagnosed early and treated quickly. There are three standard methods of treatment that are used in hospitals today. These hospitals have medical, radiation and surgical specialists providing excellent care to skin cancer patients. They provide the latest in treatment regimens, medical equipment, cancer-fighting drugs and pain-control programs. Physicians direct the patient's overall care and are always available for consultation and assistance.
Skin cancer falls into two categories - melanoma and non-melanoma. Skin cancer generally starts out in the epidermis (top layer) of the skin and becomes one of three types of cancer. These three types are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (both non-melanoma) and Melanoma. The most dangerous and aggressive of the three types is melanoma.
Some cancer clinics are now using a technique known as Mohs surgery in which tissue is removed in thin layers and examined thoroughly under a microscope to determine if any cancerous cells are present. These same cancer clinics use other surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiation in their fight against the disease. For most skin cancers they use curettage and electrodesiccation, cryosurgery (which is commonly known as freezing), laser beam surgery and traditional surgery.
Most skin cancer treatment can be done in a physician's office or in a medical clinic and requires no hospital stay. Tumors that are large, being re-treated or are located on or close to the face are usually more complicated and are routinely treated using Mohs surgery. Reconstruction of the surrounding tissue is often necessary to restore normal functioning of the tumor site. This more complicated treatment option sometimes requires a hospital stay. Treatment options are determined by the tumor's type and size, its location and depth.
Skin cancer falls into two categories - melanoma and non-melanoma. Skin cancer generally starts out in the epidermis (top layer) of the skin and becomes one of three types of cancer. These three types are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (both non-melanoma) and Melanoma. The most dangerous and aggressive of the three types is melanoma.
Some cancer clinics are now using a technique known as Mohs surgery in which tissue is removed in thin layers and examined thoroughly under a microscope to determine if any cancerous cells are present. These same cancer clinics use other surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiation in their fight against the disease. For most skin cancers they use curettage and electrodesiccation, cryosurgery (which is commonly known as freezing), laser beam surgery and traditional surgery.
Most skin cancer treatment can be done in a physician's office or in a medical clinic and requires no hospital stay. Tumors that are large, being re-treated or are located on or close to the face are usually more complicated and are routinely treated using Mohs surgery. Reconstruction of the surrounding tissue is often necessary to restore normal functioning of the tumor site. This more complicated treatment option sometimes requires a hospital stay. Treatment options are determined by the tumor's type and size, its location and depth.
Facts About the Skin Cancer Symptoms
Skin cancer is a disease that is very common and more than 1 million people are diagnosed with it each year. It is often not life threatening if caught early enough and it generally responds very well to treatment. The symptoms are easy to determine because it usually appears first as a growth or as an abnormal accumulation of cells on the skin's surface. It may also show up as a sore that does not heal or that bleeds, scabs over or crusts.
Most skin cancer is painless and it usually occurs somewhere on skin that has been exposed to the sun. Changes on the skin do not necessarily mean that a cancerous condition is present. Most people have moles or other growths that are perfectly harmless and do not require removal. Some people do choose to have these moles removed for cosmetic purposes.
Most of the time, any new growth found on the skin or a change in an old skin growth is not cancerous. However, to be absolutely sure it needs to be evaluated by a medical provider. As they become cancerous, these growths tend to change size or color or turn into sores that do not heal. It is important for individuals to do regular skin self-examinations and to watch for any symptoms of skin cancer. This is very true for people who have had skin cancer in the past because the disease tends to re-occur. Self-examinations are excellent ways to find an early cancer when it's at its most curable stage.
The most common type of skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, usually occurs on parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. These parts include the face, neck, back and chest. Squamous Cell Carcinoma also appear on these areas but are more likely to also appear on the top of the arms and hands. Malignant Melanoma, the most dangerous form, usually forms on the trunk of the body in the area between the neck and the hips. This is an area that doesn't get constant exposure from the sun. Skin cancer symptoms can be present in any of the body but the preceding are the most common skin cancer sites.
Most skin cancer is painless and it usually occurs somewhere on skin that has been exposed to the sun. Changes on the skin do not necessarily mean that a cancerous condition is present. Most people have moles or other growths that are perfectly harmless and do not require removal. Some people do choose to have these moles removed for cosmetic purposes.
Most of the time, any new growth found on the skin or a change in an old skin growth is not cancerous. However, to be absolutely sure it needs to be evaluated by a medical provider. As they become cancerous, these growths tend to change size or color or turn into sores that do not heal. It is important for individuals to do regular skin self-examinations and to watch for any symptoms of skin cancer. This is very true for people who have had skin cancer in the past because the disease tends to re-occur. Self-examinations are excellent ways to find an early cancer when it's at its most curable stage.
The most common type of skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, usually occurs on parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. These parts include the face, neck, back and chest. Squamous Cell Carcinoma also appear on these areas but are more likely to also appear on the top of the arms and hands. Malignant Melanoma, the most dangerous form, usually forms on the trunk of the body in the area between the neck and the hips. This is an area that doesn't get constant exposure from the sun. Skin cancer symptoms can be present in any of the body but the preceding are the most common skin cancer sites.
Skin Cancer - Alternative Treatment
Skin cancer occurs when an uncontrollable cell growth happens on the epidermis of the skin. Such grown cells multiply and form tumors on the outer surface of the skin, and they are clearly visible. This helps the medical practitioners to detect the cancer at an early stage.
The skin cancer is caused by the exposure of sun rays. There are three types of skin cancers. And further, each type is classified into two kinds, one is Non-melanoma and other is Melanoma. Of them Melanoma is the more dangerous and may lead to death.
The two types of cancer that occur in the human are:
Basic cell carcinoma (BCC) - In this type of cancer, the cancer cells originate in the base cells of the skin, in sense, the lower part of the epidermis. It may be spotted on the skin as a pink elevated growth, in the form of a small round knot like a pearl. It is the most common skin cancer found in the human body.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - The cancer cells originate on the outer layer of the epidermis. They are spotted with a crusted area with a red color tumor which seems to grow.
The alternative treatment for skin cancer is: the exposure to sun for a long time should be avoided. Adequate nutrition is found to be a vital factor in the recovery of skin cancer.
Research conducted by chemists confirm that taking proteins, anti-oxidants and folic acid which are found maximum in the dishes like fish, carrots. Vitamin C is also found to be fighting against cancer cells.
The skin cancer is caused by the exposure of sun rays. There are three types of skin cancers. And further, each type is classified into two kinds, one is Non-melanoma and other is Melanoma. Of them Melanoma is the more dangerous and may lead to death.
The two types of cancer that occur in the human are:
Basic cell carcinoma (BCC) - In this type of cancer, the cancer cells originate in the base cells of the skin, in sense, the lower part of the epidermis. It may be spotted on the skin as a pink elevated growth, in the form of a small round knot like a pearl. It is the most common skin cancer found in the human body.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - The cancer cells originate on the outer layer of the epidermis. They are spotted with a crusted area with a red color tumor which seems to grow.
The alternative treatment for skin cancer is: the exposure to sun for a long time should be avoided. Adequate nutrition is found to be a vital factor in the recovery of skin cancer.
Research conducted by chemists confirm that taking proteins, anti-oxidants and folic acid which are found maximum in the dishes like fish, carrots. Vitamin C is also found to be fighting against cancer cells.
Summer Skin Protection
Summer is fast approaching! Soon, neighborhood pools will be opening and people will begin heading to the beach for vacation. We all know how important it is to protect ourselves and our children from the harmful rays of the sun. According to skincancer.org, one severe sunburn as a child can double a person's chance of developing skin cancer in his or her lifetime. Now is the time to start thinking about how to protect your family's skin from the sun.
Sunscreen is probably one of the first products that comes to mind when you think about sun protection. There are many different opinions regarding whether chemical sunscreens are more harmful than physical sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group published a report stating that the active ingredient oxybenzone, found in many sunscreens, has been linked to "allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage." However, in an article printed by the New York Times, dermatologists question the validity of that report. In addition, the American Academy of Dermatology website lists oxybenzone as one of the ingredients to look for in an effective sunscreen.
Regardless of which type of sunscreen you choose for your family, there are several other things to do to limit sun damage: avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, SPF-treated clothing, hats, and sunglasses; seek shade; make sure you apply, and re-apply, a generous amount of sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside, and every two hours after (or more if sweating or going in the water).
Sunscreen is probably one of the first products that comes to mind when you think about sun protection. There are many different opinions regarding whether chemical sunscreens are more harmful than physical sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group published a report stating that the active ingredient oxybenzone, found in many sunscreens, has been linked to "allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage." However, in an article printed by the New York Times, dermatologists question the validity of that report. In addition, the American Academy of Dermatology website lists oxybenzone as one of the ingredients to look for in an effective sunscreen.
Regardless of which type of sunscreen you choose for your family, there are several other things to do to limit sun damage: avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, SPF-treated clothing, hats, and sunglasses; seek shade; make sure you apply, and re-apply, a generous amount of sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside, and every two hours after (or more if sweating or going in the water).
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