Cancer Resources

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. Continue reading ‘Facts About the Skin Cancer Symptoms’ »

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. Continue reading ‘Effective Skin Cancer Treatment’ »

Is a mole, lesion or skin discoloration that’s causing you some concern? You may have wondered or started worrying about possibly having malignant melanoma. You may be wondering what does melanoma look like and what are the stages, signs and symptoms? Melanomas usually have uneven borders and do not have the same shape all around. They can start out as a mole and turn into a melanoma, which is a malignant, meaning a cancerous lesion.

One of the big reasons to catch melanoma early is that it is not confined to the area on your skin where it’s found and can spread fast. Many skin cancers are local only; they are not systemic, meaning they may not involve other parts of your body. But melanoma is different. It involves your whole body and your immune system so you want to catch it early.

Most moles don’t change. If yours has changed or is changing, then make sure to look at the following. Continue reading ‘What Does Melanoma Look Like? – Nurse's Report’ »

Long before scientists started exploring the connection between turmeric and skin cancer, the spice had been in the medicine chest of most healers and an essential cooking aid of most households in Asia.

If the connection between turmeric and skin cancer was not known to earlier healers, it was mainly because cancer was less prevalent or less well known at the time. However, there was awareness of its use in treating skin ailments.

Curcumin, the active compound which confers the medicinal powers, can heal wounds, kill germs, and reduce inflammation. Its antioxidant powers can prevent and reverse cell damage.

In the case of skin cancer, curcumin can cause the cancer causing melanoma cells to destroy themselves. This is very different from the more common cancer chemotherapy which destroys the adjacent healthy cells also. The curative mechanism of turmeric, and skin cancer treatment requirements are thus mutually compatible. Continue reading ‘Get to Know the Possibilities of Turmeric and Skin Cancer Protection’ »

According to a new report out of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Tanning beds / Sunbeds cancer danger is equal to that of cigarettes and asbestos.

Where once it was “probable”, the risk today is rated more seriously – the agency is now calling for these devices to be labeled “carcinogenic to humans”. Those who use them risk becoming bronzed, healthy looking cancer patients

This comes after a review of research conducted by experts from nine countries that found the risk of melanoma was increased 75% in those who routinely used tanning beds before the age of 30.

Melanoma of the eye has also been linked to the use of these devices. Melanoma is the second most common cancer in twenty-something females, this according to the America Melanoma Foundation.

Experts have noticed a rise in melanoma diagnosis, especially for young women, over the last few years. Continue reading ‘SunBeds and Cancer – Tanning Beds Cancer Dangers’ »

Are You At Risk of Getting Lip Cancer?

Lip cancer is the most common form of oral cancer. The risk of developing lip cancer is greater for some people than for other. Men over the age of 40 are in the risk group but everyone is at risk especially if the use tobacco or alcohol, or have a history of head or neck cancer.

Interestingly, this type of skin cancer usually occurs on the lower lip. Lip cancer can also spread to the head and neck areas.

Most lip cancers start in squamous cells. Those are the thin, flat cells that line the lips. These cancer cells are known as squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops in areas of leukoplakia (white patches of cells that do not rub off). Continue reading ‘Beautiful Skin: Are You in Danger of Getting Lip Cancer?’ »

Squamous cell carcinoma is now occupying the second most common type of skin cancer. And because many people are afflicted with this disease, there is a need for more options on treatment for squamous cell carcinoma.

In the United States alone, there are already 250,000 people afflicted with this disease. It can affect virtually anyone, but this is especially common to fair skinned people and those who are always exposed to the sun. It can affect middle aged people to elderly people.

The cancer starts at the epithelium or the outer layer of the skin. In some cases, the bad cells can develop from lesions commonly called solar, clinically known as actinic keratosis. These cells can spread to the rest of the body so an early treatment is of utmost importance. Continue reading ‘What is the Best Treatment For Squamous Cell Carcinoma?’ »

Skin cancer is caused due to the abnormal growth of cells on the outer surface of the skin namely the epidermis. This causes formation of lumps on the skin surface and hence the detection at the initial stages. These days’ human-beings are much more prone to skin cancer, due to increased exposure to the sun’s harmful Ultra-Violet (UV) radiations. Hence it is necessary to reduce the exposure towards sun.

This leads to deficiency of Vitamin-D which lessens the body’s immunity and its ability to fight the diseases. Also the application of sunscreen lotions retards vitamin-D synthesis process, which further aggravates cell damage and secretion of hormones that promotes this type of cancer. Cancer in skin can be classified into 3 types namely: melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The conventional techniques available for treatment are:

Application of topical solutions for non-melanoma cancer type

For advanced cases of melanoma: chemotherapy and immunotherapy

Skin cancer is curable if detected at early stages. It is to be noted that, there are no natural remedies available these days to curb i. But it can be used to prevent at the early stages. The various alternative ways for treatment of this type of cancer are enlisted below:

Nutrition/Proper Diet: By consuming food items rich in Vitamin-D, for instance milk, soya milk, cheese, egg yolk, salmon, fish oil, herring, certain types of breakfast cereals, folic acid, food items rich in fats, proteins, antioxidants, carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, cabbage and sardines, is a highly effective and natural way for alternative skin cancer treatment. Continue reading ‘3 Easy Ways – Alternative Skin Cancer Treatment’ »

A common concern for many people, especially parents with children, is how to prevent skin cancer. Prevention begins with limiting the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light that your skin is exposed to. This includes the use of UV protective clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

UV protective clothing is made of a special fabric that is designed to block UV rays from reaching the skin. It is available in swim wear, trousers, shirts, dresses and hats. Some stores even carry accessories such as bandannas, scarves, gloves, wraps and umbrellas, all of which are capable of blocking UV rays – an excellent way to look great in the sun! Clothing and accessories come in all sizes from infant to adults.

Just like sunscreen, sun protective clothing is rated according to the amount of protection it offers. Unlike sunscreen, however, the rating includes both UVA and UVB. The rating, referred to as Ultraviolet Protection Factor or UVF, tells you how much radiation can pass through the fabric. A shirt labelled with a UVF of 40 allows 1/40th of UV radiation to pass to the skin and blocks the remaining 39/40ths. This equates to 97.5% of the sun’s harmful rays being blocked. Continue reading ‘How to Prevent Skin Cancer – Could What You Wear Decrease Your Risk?’ »

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and doctors are urging people to become more aware of the disease and what happens during skin cancer. It is therefore just as dangerous as any other type of cancer, not to mention the most common. It is one of the most commonly detected cancers, and the main cause is exposure to sun and is most common on areas of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun, and when exposing the skin to UV rays excessively.

However it is also the easiest cancer to cure, if diagnosed and treated early. Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of the skin. It is divided into two major groups: non-melanoma and melanoma but is not confined to any specific area in the body it can occur anywhere.

Mainly caused by the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The cancer is more common in people with light colored skin who have spent a lot of time in the sunlight. As the name suggests, it is a cancerous condition of skin, the more you cover your skin with clothing, the lesser is your risk of developing skin cancer. The most common form of is basal cell carcinoma. Continue reading ‘New Natural Skin Cancer Treatment Discovered’ »