Cancer is a disease that has been reported to claim millions of lives a round the globe and has many forms. Cancer is defined as “a malignant form of tumors, which are tissue masses that arise through mutations in the genes that govern cell growth and division” (Arndt, 2010). Skin cancer is just one of the many types of cancer that affects people and most commonly in the United States. It is a disease whereby cancerous cells are found on the epidermis which is the outer layer of the skin or uncontrolled growth of skin cells. This cancer affects the skin tissues and it is the most rampant of all the cancers and it’s increasingly on the rise. It is a disease that can affect anyone that lives under the sun. It includes many types which are either classified as superficial or severe. Skin cancer is classified according to the layer it develops in.
Skin cancer occurs twice often in men than in women. The highest cases of skin cancer have been reported in Australia and South Africa. This kind of disease is common among white skinned people and is rarely reported in dark skinned people. According to cancer statistics, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer that is affecting millions of people around the globe. It has been approximated that, 40-50 percent of people at the age of 65 have or have had skin cancer (MacFarlane, 2009).
Skin cancer is of three types: Basal cell cancer (BCC), Squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant Melanomia. To begin with, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common of all cancers. It develops in the bottom layer of the epidermis. It is caused by patched (PTC) gene which helps in controlling the growth and development of cells. It rarely occurs in African Americans but it is mostly found in fair skinned people. Basal cell cancer first appears as a small fleshy bump and if untreated, it can crust over heal and repeat the cycle all over again. The second most common type of skin cancer is Squamous cell carcinoma. It appears on the upper layer of the epidermis unlike Basal cell carcinoma which appears on the bottom layer of the epidermis. It is usually found on face, mouth lips and on the rim of the ear. This type of skin cancer originates from sun damaged skin and begins at the age of 50. The last and most deadly type of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. It develops in pigment cells found throughout the basal layer. This type of skin cancer is responsible for three quarter of skin cancer deaths but is curable when detected early.
Skin cancer just like any other disease comes along with various signs and symptoms. It has several diverse appearances for example ulcering in the skin, discoloration of the skin, changes in the skin that do not heal and rushes all over the skin. Other signs of skin cancer are itchiness, a change in sensation, tenderness, scaliness, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule; the spread of pigmentation beyond it’s border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark; any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or any other darkly pigmented growth spot or a new growth.
Many people believe that the main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet rays from the sun; nonetheless there are many factors involved. A person’s DNA plays a vital role on how cancer affects them, therefore, environmental and heredity both are factors that assume roles in the effects of cancer (Schwartz, 2008). Skin cancer can be caused by hereditary factors, exposure to the sun and weak immune system. A person can pass cancerous genes to the next person in a family. Other factors include smoking especially tobacco, chronic non-healing wounds, environmental carcinogens, artificial UV radiation, Ionizing radiation and aging. Moreover, skin cancer can be caused by the increasing use of immunosuppressive medication and HPV infections. Also, skin cancer is caused by genetic syndromes whereby one is born with birthmarks or they appear after six months for example congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome.
The most common treatment of skin cancer is surgery; however, both surgical and non-surgical methods are used in treating skin cancer. Removal by surgery is the most common treatment. Apart from surgery, there is radiation therapy, topical therapy, systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy and biological therapy. Furthermore, another non surgical methods employed in the treatment of skin cancer is immunotherapy.
As the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure,” skin cancer can be prevented. First of all, people are advised to avoid continuous exposure to sun between 11 am to 3 pm. During this time, the sunlight is always very strong and one is advised to cover the face and the neck at all times. Moreover, individuals are advised to use sun screen during exposure to sunlight rays and wearing sun glasses as UV rays are extremely harmful to the eyes. Another advice given is that one must protect their lips from the UV rays as they will be affected too. Babies under six months should also be protected from the UV rays and therefore they should not be exposed to sunlight as much as possible (Schwartz, 2008). The public should also be educated on the prevention of skin cancer in order to reduce its prevalence.
In conclusion, skin cancer is a danger to all people who work or walk in the sun at its peak. Skin cancer is a deadly disease with many causes, but the advantage is that it can be prevented when detected at an early stage. In order to prevent any type of skin cancer, it is recommended that people avoid the sun at its peak and use sunscreen on regular basis. Any skin abnormalities should be reported to a nearby physician for early treatment and prevention. People should take care of their skin by taking precautions while outside, and wearing clothing such as hats and wear sunglasses to help lower your chances of developing skin cancer.
References
Arndt, K.A. (2010). Skin Care and Repair. Chestnut Hill, MA: Harvard Health Publications.
MacFarlane, D.F. (2009). Skin Cancer Management: A Practical Approach. New York, NY: Springer Publishers.
Schwartz, R.A. (2008). Skin cancer: recognition and management. Massachusetts, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
