Skin Cancer

What is skin cancer?

The most prevalent type of cancer in the country is skin cancer. The cause of almost all skin malignancies is excessive UV light exposure. Sunlight, tanning beds, and sunlamps all contain this. When patients undergo routine tests, skin cancer is frequently one of the most treatable cancers.

One of the most typical types of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which is also known as squamous cell carcinoma. They can often be cured. The basal and squamous cell layers at the top of the skin are where these malignancies develop. They nearly always grow slowly. They are easily treated and do not spread if discovered early.

A rarer but more severe type of skin cancer is melanoma. It happens in skin cells that produce the melanin pigment, which gives skin its color. It is likely to spread to other tissues if it is not discovered quickly. It has the potential to spread throughout the body and result in death. Melanoma accounts for only 2% of skin cancer cases. However, it is the main cause of skin cancer mortality.

Symptoms of skin cancer

A new or changing bump, growth, lesion, mole, or rough area of skin is the primary sign of skin cancer. Skin tumors vary in appearance.

A typical mole is uniformly flesh, tan, brown, or dark brown in color. It has clearly defined edges. It typically has a diameter of less than 1/4 inch (not bigger than a pencil eraser). It is shaped like an oval or circle. It might be flat or dome-shaped.

You can check for moles by using the ABCDE rule to help you remember what to look for. Inform your doctor straight once if you experience any of these symptoms.

A for asymmetry – Mole is not symmetrical. This means it’s not the same on both sides. If it was folded in half, the two halves wouldn’t match.
B for border – Edges of the mole are blurry or jagged
C for color – Changes in the color of a mole. This could be darkening, loss of color, spreading color, or multiple colors.
D for diameter – A mole more than ¼ inch in diameter
E for evolving – Mole looks different from others or is changing in shape, size, or color

Other cancer warning symptoms could be:

a mole that bleeds or itches
an expanding mole
a skin growth that is crusty or scaly
a wound that won’t go away
A spot of skin that has undergone color change

The majority of skin cancers develop in body regions that are frequently exposed to the sun. The head, neck, face, tips of the ears, hands, forearms, shoulders, back, and chests are examples of these places on men. They typically appear on the lower legs and back in females.

On your body, melanomas can appear anywhere. They most frequently appear on the back, stomach, or chest in men. They most frequently appear on the lower legs in females.

Moles can also develop in parts of your body that are not visible. This includes the space between your toes, your scalp, and a nail. Consult your family physician straight away if you detect a mole that has altered or if you have a new mole that doesn’t resemble your existing moles.

What causes skin cancer ?

The majority of skin cancer instances are brought on by excessive UV (ultraviolet) radiation exposure. Sunlight, tanning beds, and sunlamps are the sources of this. UV radiation comes in two varieties:

UVA rays (long-wave) – UVA rays penetrate clouds and glass. They penetrate the skin more deeply and damage the basal layer of the skin.
UVB rays (short-wave) – UVB rays damage the upper layers of the skin. They are the main cause of tanning and sunburn.

Researchers once thought that UVB radiation was the only source of cancer. However, research has revealed that both UVA and UVB can harm the skin and lead to cancer.

The body tries to defend itself against the sun’s damaging rays by getting a tan. Even if you don’t get sunburned, spending too much time in the sun might cause skin cancer. Just as harmful as prolonged exposure to sunshine are tanning salons.

Skin cancer is more likely to occur in some people. Several factors could raise your risk, including:

having light-colored eyes, blonde or red hair, and fair complexion
enduring prolonged sun exposure, such as when working outside
a history of severe sunburns, especially when you were young
using tanning beds inside
having an organ transplant and/or having a reduced immune system

Anywhere on your body can develop melanoma. This applies to areas that are shaded from the sun. There can be further causes for it. The following are risk factors for acquiring melanoma:

Someone in your family has had cancerous moles or a melanoma
You have many moles larger than a pencil eraser
You have more than 50 moles of any size
You got a bad sunburn that caused blisters when you were a child
Your skin usually burns but doesn’t tan

Additionally, taking some drugs may raise your risk of developing skin cancer. One illustration is the common blood pressure medicine hydrochlorothiazide.

How is skin cancer diagnosed ?

Regular self-examination is typically the initial step in the diagnosis of skin cancer. Examine every square inch of your skin using a handheld mirror and a full-length mirror.

Find out where your birthmarks, moles, and imperfections are as well as how they typically appear. Look for anything new, such as a sore that doesn’t heal or a change in the size, texture, or color of a mole.
In the mirror, take a look at your front and back. Look at your left and right sides while raising your arms.
Examine your upper arms, palms, forearms, including the undersides, and elbows with bent elbows.
Check the back and front of your legs.
Look between your buttocks and around your genital area.
Sit down and pay close attention to your feet, paying special attention to the toe-spaces and the bottoms of your feet.
Take a look at your head, neck, and face. To pull hair out of the way so you can see better, you might want to use a comb or a blow dryer.

You can know what is typical for your skin by regularly monitoring yourself. Visit your family physician if you discover anything unexpected. It is better to find skin cancer as soon as possible.

Your skin will be examined by the doctor. Any problematic regions will be examined in terms of their size, shape, color, and texture. Your doctor will take a biopsy if you have skin changes that might be skin cancer. A little portion of your skin is taken during a biopsy and submitted to the lab for analysis.

You can have additional testing if skin cancer is found to determine whether the cancer cells have spread. These examinations could involve a lymph node biopsy, an MRI, or a CT scan.

Can skin cancer be prevented or avoided ?

Avoiding the sun and utilizing sunlamps is the key to preventing skin cancer. Be sure to follow the safe-sun recommendations if you want to spend any time in the sun. These are methods to safeguard your skin and lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Follow every one of these recommendations whenever you are outside for the maximum protection.

Avoid the sun : When the sun is out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., avoid being in it. During these times, the sun is at its most powerful. Your skin suffers the most harm at that time. Suntans and sunburns are symptoms of damaged skin. You are more prone to experience issues the more damage you have. Early wrinkles, skin cancer, or other skin issues fall under this category.

Use sunscreen : Make use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Use it even on foggy days. Verify the date of expiration. Over time, some components degrade. Apply a lot of sunblock. Make sure to fully incorporate it. At least 15 minutes before you plan to spend time in the sun, apply sunscreen. wherever your skin is exposed, use sunscreen. This includes any bald spots on the top of your head, the back of your neck, and your ears. At least every two hours, after swimming, perspiring, or toweling off, reapply sunscreen.

Just because you’re wearing sunscreen doesn’t mean you’re fully safe. You cannot be completely protected from the sun’s damaging UV rays with sunscreen.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses : Cover your skin if you must be outside in the sun. Your face, neck, and ears will be better protected by a hat with a wide brim. The ideal hat has a 6-inch brim all the way around. The tops of your ears and the back of your neck are not protected by baseball hats.

Skin cancer treatment :

Many variables affect how skin cancer is treated. These factors include the type of cancer, its location, size, and extent of dissemination, as well as your overall health. Surgery to remove the mole or lesion can usually treat nonmelanoma cancer instances. Freezing, medicinal creams, and laser therapy are further alternatives.

Melanoma treatment is more difficult. Surgery can be used to remove the malignant tissue when it is discovered early. Treatment options if it has penetrated deeper than the skin include:

Radiation – High-energy rays like X-rays shrink or kill the cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy – Powerful medicines, in pill form or injected into the veins, shrink, or kill the cancer.
Biological therapy – Uses substances produced by living organisms. These can be made in the body or in a lab. They are used to boost your immune system to help your body fight the cancer. Some may suppress your immune system. This means you could more easily get sick.
Targeted therapy – Uses medicines that are designed to target specific weak spots in cancer cells.

Living with skin cancer :

Skin cancer can be treated, especially if it is discovered early. An easy surgical procedure can remove cancerous tissue. That is all that is frequently required as treatment. Future lesions might develop. You’ll need to keep looking at your skin. In case of changes, contact your physician.

Living with cancer while receiving treatment can be distressing for more severe instances. Your body may respond differently to each type of treatment. Self-care is important. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and make an effort to stay active to maintain your energy levels.

You are more likely to experience cancer returning to your body even after it has gone into remission. For many years following your treatment, you will require routine follow-up care and checkups.