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).
Skin Cancer Definitions
Skin Cancer is becoming more and more common these days, as we continue to expose ourselves to the harmful rays of the sun, it is only going to increase. 1 in 5 American's will develop skin cancer throughout their lifetime, meaning that you will probably know someone that will get skin cancer... it could even be you.
But, are you aware that there are several types of skin cancer? Read on to learn more.
Melanoma: Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. The majority of melanomas, therefore, are black or brown. However, melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red or purple. (Source www.skincancer.org)
Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer, are cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis. An abnormal growth — a tumor — of this layer is known as basal cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The next most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cells are cells that compose most of the epidermis. An abnormal growth of these cells is known as a squamous cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)
These are the most well known skin cancers that you hear about all the time... but how do they get to this stage without us knowing? It is because we ignore the early warning signs, such as skin growths, lesions, changes in moles or freckles, anything on our skins that doesn't look normal, these need to be checked into to ensure early detection.
Skin cancer is one of the most survivable, treatable and preventable cancer's out there.
So, be more aware of your skin and if you are going out in the sun, put sunscreen on, cover up and protect yourself, it is not worth the risk.
Ok, so you know that sitting out in the sun is bad for you, but you like to be brown and glowing for summer... solution? Self tanning or sunless tanning...
But, are you aware that there are several types of skin cancer? Read on to learn more.
Melanoma: Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. The majority of melanomas, therefore, are black or brown. However, melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red or purple. (Source www.skincancer.org)
Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer, are cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis. An abnormal growth — a tumor — of this layer is known as basal cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The next most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cells are cells that compose most of the epidermis. An abnormal growth of these cells is known as a squamous cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)
These are the most well known skin cancers that you hear about all the time... but how do they get to this stage without us knowing? It is because we ignore the early warning signs, such as skin growths, lesions, changes in moles or freckles, anything on our skins that doesn't look normal, these need to be checked into to ensure early detection.
Skin cancer is one of the most survivable, treatable and preventable cancer's out there.
So, be more aware of your skin and if you are going out in the sun, put sunscreen on, cover up and protect yourself, it is not worth the risk.
Ok, so you know that sitting out in the sun is bad for you, but you like to be brown and glowing for summer... solution? Self tanning or sunless tanning...
A Couple of Facts About Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer that occurs in the United States. Over one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. In any given year, there are more cases of this cancer diagnosed than there are of colon, lung, prostate and breast cancers combined.
One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. The most common type is basal cell carcinoma, which is rarely fatal, but which can be very disfiguring.
Sqamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly-seen type of skin cancer. This type results in roughly 2500 deaths each year and more than 250,000 are diagnosed every year.
Basal and squamous cell types of carcinoma are the major two forms of skin cancer seen that are non-melanoma. About forty to fifty percent of people in America who live past age 65 will have one of these types of skin cancer at least once.
In the year 2004, the total cost that was attributed to treating non-melanoma skin cancers was higher than one billion dollars.
Nearly ninety percent of the non-melanoma types of skin cancer are associated with overexposure to the sun's UV rays. Nearly ninety percent of the aging effects seen on human skin are caused by sun exposure.
Most people used to believe that about eighty percent of a person's exposure to the sun came before the age of eighteen, but this is not true. At age 19, a person has only had about twenty-three percent of their lifetime sun exposure.
Although many of the more common cancers are not seen as often as they used to be, melanoma incidents are still rising, at a faster rate than any of the other seven most common cancers. About 62,480 melanomas are diagnosed in a calendar year, and almost 8240 will result in death.
Melanoma is found in roughly three percent of all skin cancer cases, but it causes higher than 75 percent of deaths due to skin cancer. The incidence of mortality among those with melanoma increased by almost thirty-three percent from 1975 - 1990, but since then it has stayed fairly stable.
The survival rate of people with melanoma increased from almost fifty percent between 1950 and 1954, and it improved 92% between 1996 and 2003. Still, over twenty Americans die every day from skin cancer, usually of the melanoma type. One person will die from melanoma nearly every hour.
The rate of survival of melanoma patients whose disease was found early, before the tumor broke through the skin, is almost one hundred percent. This rate falls to a dismal fifteen percent for those who have the advanced stages of the disease.
One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. The most common type is basal cell carcinoma, which is rarely fatal, but which can be very disfiguring.
Sqamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly-seen type of skin cancer. This type results in roughly 2500 deaths each year and more than 250,000 are diagnosed every year.
Basal and squamous cell types of carcinoma are the major two forms of skin cancer seen that are non-melanoma. About forty to fifty percent of people in America who live past age 65 will have one of these types of skin cancer at least once.
In the year 2004, the total cost that was attributed to treating non-melanoma skin cancers was higher than one billion dollars.
Nearly ninety percent of the non-melanoma types of skin cancer are associated with overexposure to the sun's UV rays. Nearly ninety percent of the aging effects seen on human skin are caused by sun exposure.
Most people used to believe that about eighty percent of a person's exposure to the sun came before the age of eighteen, but this is not true. At age 19, a person has only had about twenty-three percent of their lifetime sun exposure.
Although many of the more common cancers are not seen as often as they used to be, melanoma incidents are still rising, at a faster rate than any of the other seven most common cancers. About 62,480 melanomas are diagnosed in a calendar year, and almost 8240 will result in death.
Melanoma is found in roughly three percent of all skin cancer cases, but it causes higher than 75 percent of deaths due to skin cancer. The incidence of mortality among those with melanoma increased by almost thirty-three percent from 1975 - 1990, but since then it has stayed fairly stable.
The survival rate of people with melanoma increased from almost fifty percent between 1950 and 1954, and it improved 92% between 1996 and 2003. Still, over twenty Americans die every day from skin cancer, usually of the melanoma type. One person will die from melanoma nearly every hour.
The rate of survival of melanoma patients whose disease was found early, before the tumor broke through the skin, is almost one hundred percent. This rate falls to a dismal fifteen percent for those who have the advanced stages of the disease.
Getting a Tan - No Sun Involved
So, how do you achieve that perfect bronze colour that you want if you can't lay about in the sun?
You fake it. Sunless tanning is the way to go now. Forget sunbeds, they are just as bad, if not worse than lying in the sun for hours on end.
Technology is evolving and chemists have come up with formulas that colour our skin, giving us that glowing look without damaging our skin. But, which products to try and how do you know it is going to work for you?
The first step is to determine your skin type. There are 5 skin types, Dry, Sensitive, Oily, Normal and Combination. Once you know what type you are, it makes it easier to find the right product for you.
The underlying agent in most tanning products is DHA (Dihidroxyacetone), this is what you can smell in most tanning products, although a lot of them are getting very good at disguising this smell, as it is not all that attractive, but much better than the other option of getting skin cancer. DHA works with the skins pigments and creates varying shades of brown, depending on the product you have used.
You need to prepare your skin for self tanning, so make sure that you have washed, exfoliated and moisturized before applying your tanning product and ensure you apply moisturizer daily to extend the life of your tan.
You will need to remove your tan weekly to ensure you don't get patchy, scaly looking skin.
While all of this may seem like too much hard work, once you incorporate it into your daily routine you will find it quick and easy to do.
Of course, none of the above beats going to the beach and basking in the sun, and there is no reason that you still can't do this, just remember to have good protection, a good strong sunscreen applied a few times during the day, a good hat and some cover for when you are not swimming... common sense really, and you will be well on your way to enjoying summer, with a tan that didn't involve baking your skin!
Did you know that it can take years for Melanomas to appear on your body... so stop baking your skin now, you may have already done the damage. Learn Sunless Tanning tips and tricks at Faking It!
You fake it. Sunless tanning is the way to go now. Forget sunbeds, they are just as bad, if not worse than lying in the sun for hours on end.
Technology is evolving and chemists have come up with formulas that colour our skin, giving us that glowing look without damaging our skin. But, which products to try and how do you know it is going to work for you?
The first step is to determine your skin type. There are 5 skin types, Dry, Sensitive, Oily, Normal and Combination. Once you know what type you are, it makes it easier to find the right product for you.
The underlying agent in most tanning products is DHA (Dihidroxyacetone), this is what you can smell in most tanning products, although a lot of them are getting very good at disguising this smell, as it is not all that attractive, but much better than the other option of getting skin cancer. DHA works with the skins pigments and creates varying shades of brown, depending on the product you have used.
You need to prepare your skin for self tanning, so make sure that you have washed, exfoliated and moisturized before applying your tanning product and ensure you apply moisturizer daily to extend the life of your tan.
You will need to remove your tan weekly to ensure you don't get patchy, scaly looking skin.
While all of this may seem like too much hard work, once you incorporate it into your daily routine you will find it quick and easy to do.
Of course, none of the above beats going to the beach and basking in the sun, and there is no reason that you still can't do this, just remember to have good protection, a good strong sunscreen applied a few times during the day, a good hat and some cover for when you are not swimming... common sense really, and you will be well on your way to enjoying summer, with a tan that didn't involve baking your skin!
Did you know that it can take years for Melanomas to appear on your body... so stop baking your skin now, you may have already done the damage. Learn Sunless Tanning tips and tricks at Faking It!
Skin Cancer: The New Silent Killer
Mary Katherine Grant was a successful 68-year-old career woman who managed hospitals with hundreds of people, traveled the world, enjoyed golfing, and loved spending time in the sun.
The latter is what took her life.
We’ve heard it all before: Don’t talk to strangers, be careful when alone at night, smoking isn’t good for you… but never “the sun can kill you!” Our family, like thousands of other families, learned the hard way: it can. And now, with all the talk about the disappearing ozone layer and environmental/global warming, there is a desperate need for much more awareness of the dangers of the sun, and skin cancer.
I wish my aunt realized the dangers before skin cancer cut her life short.
When we think of the effects of the sun’s rays on our skin, we usually think about the exposed areas of our bodies and our face. Those dreaded signs of aging we begin to see in our 30s, as well as the pain of a good sunburn, immediately come to mind. But the effects of the sun on the scalp are rarely considered, if at all.
This easily overlooked area of skin, hidden by a full head of hair, is where it started for my aunt.
After her hairdresser told her of a small, irregularly-shaped mole hidden by her hair, my aunt visited her dermatologist for a checkup. The news was grim: cancerous melanoma. After more visits to her dermatologist, and then many more skin experts, my aunt was diagnosed with STAGE 4 skin cancer – the final stage immediately before the terminal phase, Stage 5. There was little all those specialists could do. She had no previous symptoms. No pain. No weakness. My aunt felt great, looked even better and traveled the country weekly. But, she was rapidly dying.
After multiple surgeries over three years, various expensive medications and treatments, the cancer spread deeper into her skin, into the dermis. The specialists tried to stay ahead of the aggressive cancer by removing the cancerous areas, including a four inch by four inch plate of her scull, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. It attacked her lymph glands, her bone, her brain. She suffered a stroke that rendered her left side unusable. On a Wednesday afternoon, my aunt took herself to the hospital complaining of a headache. She slipped into a coma. Three days later, my aunt died from a silent killer – that started from a small, almost unnoticed mole. She died from skin cancer.
My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.
Once she was diagnosed, there was nothing I could do to help my aunt, but I can help my clients, others, and myself by bringing this subject to the forefront. As a professional esthetician, I make it my business to look and make suggestions to my clients. Along with a qualified dermatologist, I can help in the prevention of skin cancer one person at a time.
Don’t wait until your hairdresser finds a mole. Visit a qualified dermatologist today. They will check you for irregular skin conditions, and instruct you how to do the same at home – it could save your life. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist and have your entire body checked regularly. Learn the ABCD’s of melanoma and spread the word (A-Asymmetry, B-Border, C-Color, D-Diameter). Awareness, education and early detection are our best defense. Most importantly, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!
The latter is what took her life.
We’ve heard it all before: Don’t talk to strangers, be careful when alone at night, smoking isn’t good for you… but never “the sun can kill you!” Our family, like thousands of other families, learned the hard way: it can. And now, with all the talk about the disappearing ozone layer and environmental/global warming, there is a desperate need for much more awareness of the dangers of the sun, and skin cancer.
I wish my aunt realized the dangers before skin cancer cut her life short.
When we think of the effects of the sun’s rays on our skin, we usually think about the exposed areas of our bodies and our face. Those dreaded signs of aging we begin to see in our 30s, as well as the pain of a good sunburn, immediately come to mind. But the effects of the sun on the scalp are rarely considered, if at all.
This easily overlooked area of skin, hidden by a full head of hair, is where it started for my aunt.
After her hairdresser told her of a small, irregularly-shaped mole hidden by her hair, my aunt visited her dermatologist for a checkup. The news was grim: cancerous melanoma. After more visits to her dermatologist, and then many more skin experts, my aunt was diagnosed with STAGE 4 skin cancer – the final stage immediately before the terminal phase, Stage 5. There was little all those specialists could do. She had no previous symptoms. No pain. No weakness. My aunt felt great, looked even better and traveled the country weekly. But, she was rapidly dying.
After multiple surgeries over three years, various expensive medications and treatments, the cancer spread deeper into her skin, into the dermis. The specialists tried to stay ahead of the aggressive cancer by removing the cancerous areas, including a four inch by four inch plate of her scull, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. It attacked her lymph glands, her bone, her brain. She suffered a stroke that rendered her left side unusable. On a Wednesday afternoon, my aunt took herself to the hospital complaining of a headache. She slipped into a coma. Three days later, my aunt died from a silent killer – that started from a small, almost unnoticed mole. She died from skin cancer.
My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.
Once she was diagnosed, there was nothing I could do to help my aunt, but I can help my clients, others, and myself by bringing this subject to the forefront. As a professional esthetician, I make it my business to look and make suggestions to my clients. Along with a qualified dermatologist, I can help in the prevention of skin cancer one person at a time.
Don’t wait until your hairdresser finds a mole. Visit a qualified dermatologist today. They will check you for irregular skin conditions, and instruct you how to do the same at home – it could save your life. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist and have your entire body checked regularly. Learn the ABCD’s of melanoma and spread the word (A-Asymmetry, B-Border, C-Color, D-Diameter). Awareness, education and early detection are our best defense. Most importantly, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!
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