Friday, 18th May 2012
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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the growth of abnormal cells or a malignant tumor on the skin. It can affect anyone, but those who are fair skinned, always exposed to UV rays, have a family history with skin cancer, and people 50 years old and beyond are more prone to the disease. [1]

Types of Skin Cancer

The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Basal cell cancer is the most common among all three. It forms on the basal cells, which is located at the deepest layer of the epidermis. Squamous cell cancer occurs at the squamous cells, which are the upper layers of the epidermis. Melanoma affects the deeper layers of the skin and it has the tendency to spread fast to other parts and organs of the body. Although the least common, it is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

How to Avoid Skin Cancer

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  Solar UV radiation comes from sunlight, while artificial UV radiation comes from tanning beds, fluorescent lamps, and other artificial sources.

To protect yourself from skin cancer, you must limit your exposure to UV rays.

  • Avoid direct sun exposure.  Don’t stay on the outdoors too long, especially during 10am to 4pm, where the sun’s rays are strongest.
  • Use sunscreen.  Apply a liberal amount of sunscreen and make sure that it’s at least SPF15, the higher SPF, the better.  In choosing a sunscreen product, read the label and make sure that you get protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Wear protective clothing. When going outdoors for long hours, wear clothing that would cover most of the skin, e.g., long sleeved shirts, and long pants.
  • Wear sunglasses.  Protect your eyes and the surround skin with UV-blocking glasses.
  • Use an umbrella or wear a hat to protect your skin from direct exposure to the sun’s rays.
  • Avoid tanning beds.  These give off UVA and UVB rays that are harmful to the skin.  In addition, recent studies have found that people who frequently use tanning beds are at an increased risk of developing melanoma compared to those who do not. [2]

Skin cancer has been so rampant that many people, including celebrities, have battled the disease and are actively getting involved in skin cancer awareness programs.  From an article in the Los Angeles Times by Andrea Markowitz, Ph.D, here is a run-down of actors, athletes, musicians, politicians, TV hosts, and royalties who have battled the disease. [3]

  • Melanie Griffith—actress—had early signs of skin cancer removed from her face.
  • Bob Marley—musician—died of melanoma that spread into other organs.
  • Ewan McGregor—actor—had several cancerous moles removed from his face.
  • Cybill Shepherd—actress—had melanoma removed from her back.
  • Elizabeth Taylor—actress—had radiation therapy to treat basal cell carcinoma on her cheek.
  • President George H. Bush—was treated for a pre-cancerous lesion on his face. His son, President George W. Bush, had four pre-cancerous lesions removed from his face, two of which could have turned into non-melanoma skin cancer if they’d been left untreated, according to the American Cancer Society. George W. Bush’s wife, Laura, had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from her shin.
  • President Bill Clinton-—was treated for basal cell skin cancer on his back.
  • Senator John McCain—had a melanoma removed from his left arm. Recurrences on his left arm and temple were also removed.
  • President Ronald Reagan—had skin cancer removed from his nose. A recurrence was again removed. Reagan’s daughter, Maureen, a political analyst, radio talk show host, commentator and author, had skin cancer that was removed but she died from tumors that spread to her brain.
  • Anderson Cooper—news anchor-—had a cancerous mole removed under his left eye.
  • Sam Donaldson—news anchor—was diagnosed with melanoma when a tumor was discovered in a lymph node in his groin. Multiple melanoma lesions were removed.
  • Regis Philbin—talk-show host—had chemosurgery to remove skin cancer on his hand and face.
  • Princess Michael of Kent—had cancer removed from her face.
  • Troy Aikman—retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback—had a melanoma removed from his shoulder.
  • Stuart Entwistle—surfer—fought severe melanoma for 3 years and lost.
  • Jeff Torborg—former Major League Baseball catcher, manager and sportscaster—had a growth removed from his face.

References:

  1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html
  2. http://www.aacr.org/home/public–media/aacr-in-the-news.aspx?d=1890
  3. http://www.latimes.com/news/health/sns-health-skin-cancer-celebs,0,2916218.story

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes, which are the pigment-producing cells found in the bottom layer or the skin.  The first sign of melanoma is usually a change in the size, shape, or color of existing moles.  It may also appear as a new mole.  Most melanomas appear to be black, brown, or blue.

The exact cause of melanoma remains unknown, but there are certain risk factors associated with the disease.  A person’s genetic predisposition, skin type, number of moles, history with skin cancer, weakened immune system, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation may put him/her at more risk in developing the disease. [1]

In its early stages, melanoma can be successfully treated; however, the disease can be difficult to control in its advanced stages.  On the average, patients who suffer from advanced melanoma have a lifespan of less than a year.

Although rare, it is the most serious type of skin cancer.  Recent statistics show that melanoma is the fastest growing cancer, not just in the United States, but all over the world.  In fact, it is the most common form of cancer among young adults 25 – 29 years old, and the second most common form of cancer among adolescents and young adults 15 – 29 years old. [2]

Types of Melanoma

The four basic types of melanoma are:

  • Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM).  Accounting for 70% of all cases, this is the most common type of melanoma.  It is characterized by a flat patch with irregular borders that is often brown or black in color, and can appear anywhere on the skin’s surface.  It also occurs more commonly in young adults, and is the leading cause of death from cancer in the particular age group. 
  • Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM).  This type of melanoma usually occurs on the face.  Like SSM, it primarily occurs on the outer layer of the skin.  It resembles age spots or sun spots, and may sometimes be difficult to detect.  LMM accounts for 10% of all cases and most commonly affects middle-aged and elderly people.
  • Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM).  This type of melanoma is more common in Asians and African-Americans.  ALM may be hard to detect because it usually appears as a black or brown discoloration under fingernails or toenails, soles, palms, or mucous membranes.
  • Nodular melanoma (NM).  This is the most aggressive of all types of melanoma as it tends to develop rapidly.  NM can appear anywhere on the body and is usually black and tends to grow deeper, making it difficult to detect.  It also usually common among the elderly.

References:

  1. http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma.html
  2. http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/melanoma-facts

Indoor Tanning Increases Risk of Melanoma

According to a journal published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers have found that people who frequented indoor tanning salons posed a higher risk of developing melanoma compared to those who did not.

Cancer epidemiologist and lead researcher of the study, DeAnn Lazovich from the University of Minnesota, says that indoor tanning puts people at 74% more risk of developing melanoma.  Lazovich studied data from over 2,200 people.  She found that those who reported more than 10 years of use, more than 100 tanning lifetime sessions or spent more than 50 hours in tanning beds had an increased risk. [1]

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.  Although rare, it is more dangerous than all other forms of skin cancer.  Recent statistics show that melanoma is the fastest growing cancer, not just in the United States, but all over the world.  In fact, it is the most common form of cancer among young adults 25 – 29 years old, and the second most common form of cancer among adolescents and young adults 15 – 29 years old. [2]
With an annual estimated revenue of about $5 billion [3], the tanning industry in the United States is a cash cow.  Millions of Americans use tanning salons on an average day, of which most clients are adolescents and young women aged 16 – 29 [3], whom happen to belong to an age group wherein melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancer.

“What tanning beds are doing is concentrating the same kind of rays that we get from the sun; so, you’re getting a much bigger dose,” says Dr. Allan Halpern, chief of dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

UV rays are harmful and tanning is unsafe.  According to the World Health Organization, tanning beds are carcinogenic.  They recommend that kinds under 18 years old to not patronize indoor tanning.

References:

  1. http://www.aacr.org/home/public–media/aacr-in-the-news.aspx?d=1890
  2. http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/melanoma-facts
  3. http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/