What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is a condition that causes the cells in the skin to grow abnormally. It typically affects the areas that are frequently exposed to the skin (i.e. face, neck, arms, legs,) but it can develop on other parts of the body. There are three types of skin cancer melanoma, squamos cell carcinoma and basal cell carcimona. Squamos cell and basal carcimona are more common than melanoma. However, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the number of people being diagnosed with it has increased drastically over the past few years.
detecting and treating skin cancer
Who is at risk for developing skin cancer?
People who have fair skin are at the highest risk for developing skin condition. Melanin is the pigment that protects the skin from dangerous UV rays. Those who have light skin have less melanin in their skin. Moles, sunburns, weakened immune system and family history also make a person more susceptible to developing skin cancer.
What are some of the symptoms of skin cancer?
An odd-looking mole is the first symptom that most people with skin cancer recognize. The type of mole that a person has depends on the type of skin cancer that he or she has. People who have basal cell carcimona may notice a flat, waxy bump. Those who have squamos cell carcimona may notice a firm, red nodule. A large, dark spot with speckles is a common sign of melanoma. Additionally, a change in preexisting mole may also indicate skin cancer.
How can skin cancer be treated?
Today there are a number of treatment options available for those who have skin cancer. If the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body, the doctor may recommend freezing, laser therapy or excisional surgery. Freezing is a procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to destroy the keratoses (areas of hardened growth.)
Excisional surgery is a procedure where the surgeon removes the cancerous tissue. The doctor may also choose to remove some of the surrounding healthy skin. Laser therapy is a procedure that uses a beam of light to destroy the cancerous growth.
If the doctor finds that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or that surgery is not a feasible option, he or she may recommend radiation or chemotherapy. Radiation uses ionizing radiation to destroy the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is a form of therapy that uses chemicals to destroy cancerous cells. The doctor may also order biological therapy, which is a procedure that helps boost the immune system so that the body is more apt to fight cancer.
Can skin cancer be prevented?
In most cases, skin cancer can be prevented. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between the hours of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. Limiting sun exposure during those times can help prevent skin cancer. If a person has to spend a large amount of time in the sun, he or she should wear sunscreen.
People should also make sure that they avoid using tanning beds because they have also been shown to increase the risk of skin cancer. It is also important to note that skin cancer is much easier to treat if it is detected early enough. For that reason, people should always check their skin for suspicious-looking moles.
This article was contributed by Mountain View Dermatology. A boulder dermatologist specializing in Varicose Vein Removal and leg vein removal.