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.

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.

How To Check Yourself For Skin Cancer

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.

Tanning Beds, Sunbeds and Skin Cancer - Proven Deadly

Everyone likes seeing nicely tanned skin as it promotes a healthy athletic look. With increased public education, skin cancer awareness has improved over the last several years, and more people are routinely using high SPF sun block. While this practice is a great step in the right direction for sun worshipers, the medical community views artificial tanning as an even greater problem that sunbathing. Recent review of results from over 20 major studies of tanning bed usage, prompted international cancer experts to classify the use of tanning beds as a top cancer risk. They state that the mortality rate is comparable to that of arsenic and mustard gas exposure.

Raw data from a single study is sometimes hard to interpret as it may contain too many variables to really reach a concrete conclusion. However, the collective data of the 20 studies show a frightening trend: The risk of skin cancer increases by twenty fold, in patients under the age of thirty, that use tanning beds. In addition, they found that all types of UV radiation are carcinogenic, as opposed to just one type as previously thought. Tanning beds, which produce ultraviolet radiation and not any other colors of the spectrum, are now definitively linked to skin and eye cancer.

Opponents of the study still maintain that there is no definite link between "responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer" and that many users only use these sunbeds about 20 times per year. (That sounds like the same old rhetoric the tobacco companies used to say!)

The fact is however, the popularity of tanning salons has increased over the past decade. Coupled with that is the fact that the increased frequency of use by patrons under 30 years of age, matches the increase in new cases of young people with skin cancer. For example, in England, melanoma, the deadliest flavor of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. A decade ago, skin cancer was found most often in seniors over 75! Past studies have documented 8 times increased risk of developing melanoma if you use a tanning bed.

Here's the bottom line, vanity isn't worth dying for. Consider stopping the "Fake Bake" and maybe try some bronzing lotion. Besides, some of us like looking at creamy complexion of Snow White just as much as we like ogling at the bronze goddesses! Be yourself, and comfortable in your own skin!

Skin Cancer Prevention 'Not Effective Enough'

That is the opinion of the British Association of Dermatologists, which says behaviour concerning exposure to the sun's rays is failing to improve, despite understanding of the disease increasing.

Rebecca Freeman, a spokesman for the healthcare organisation, claims that many people who believe they are protecting themselves from harmful rays are actually putting themselves at risk.

"Many people think they are protecting their skin by applying sunscreen, but then choose a product with a low protection, use it as an excuse to stay out in the sun or don't reapply it often enough," she explains.

According to Ms Freeman, any exposure to ultra-violet rays (UVR) can cause serious damage to the skin, whether through sunbathing or using artificial tanning booths.

The latter in particular can emit very high doses of UVR, which is a prime factor in the development of malignant melanoma - the most fatal form of skin cancer.

"Sunbeds are not regulated, therefore many salons don't provide accurate, or indeed any, advice regarding skin types and risks," Ms Freeman comments.

A new report by Cancer Research UK reveals that 10,400 people were diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the past 12 months - 450 more than the previous year - which illustrates the need for health insurance.

The study also shows that the disease is the most common cancer found in men aged 25 to 54 and the second most frequent in women aged between 35 and 54.

Development of the disease can often depend on skin types as well as UVR exposure, Ms Freeman explains.

"People with skin that burns in the sun are at the highest risk of skin cancer, while people with naturally dark skin are less likely to develop the disease," the healthcare specialist comments.

However, the statistics do not mean that people must avoid the sun entirely, she adds.

Simply ensuring that your body is sufficiently protected while on holiday or during any time you are in the sun can help to boost protection, Ms Freeman concludes.

The 3 Kinds of Skin Cancer

When it comes to the different kinds of skin cancer there are basically three: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Some are treatable if caught early. To find out what the differences are read further.

Basil cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, if caught early are treatable. As you might guess the last, melanoma is more serious and can spread to other parts of the body. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and taking skin cancer lightly can be dangerous.

Lets explore the 3 kinds of skin cancer:

1. Basil Carcinoma - 80% of the cases this cancer is found on the head or neck. Within this type of cancer there are 13 sub-categories. Untreated it is rare that this cancer will spread beyond it's point, but it may discolor or disfigure the affected area.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma - the 2nd most diagnose kind of cancer. More than 250,000 cases are discovered each year. The most at risk are middle aged to elderly who are light skinned and exposed to sunlight. This cancer can spread, is most dangerous on the lips and ears, and aggressive types can invade the lymph's. 2,500 deaths a year are attributed to this kind of cancer.
3. Melanoma - the most serious kind of skin cancer. The skin cell called melanin are what give your skin color. When exposed to UV these cells cause you to tan. When over exposed to UV rays they grow abnormally and become cancerous.

Now, this varies depending on your natural skin type and if you wear sunblock protection when you go outside. For men the common places are shoulder and hips or head and neck. For women it's on the legs. There are other factors you'll want to look at.