Cancer Resources

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’ »

There is a direct link between skin cancer and sun exposure. It is usually found on areas of the body that are frequently exposed to sunlight. However, it can also develop in areas that are rarely exposed. For that reason, the skin all over your body should be examined regularly. There are three types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Skin cancer can develop on the face, lips, ears, scalp, hands, palms, under your fingernails, between your toes, and anywhere on your body where you have skin. It can strike people of all skin tones and can develop slowly over time or appear suddenly.

The most common type of is known as basal cell carcinoma. This is also the most easy to treat. It typically appears as a waxy bump on your skin or as a flat lesion that resembles a scar.

Squamous cell carcinoma has more of a tendency to spread but is still easy to treat if it is caught early. This type of skin cancer appears as a firm red bump on your skin or as a flat lesion with a scaly surface. Continue reading ‘Skin Cancer – Types and Treatment’ »

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of the disease, and thousands find out they have it every year. Most cases are not so severe and can be treated easily by a skilled physician.

Unfortunately, most skin cancer cases affect the face. This is the part of your body that gets the most exposure to the sun, but it is also the most visible. If it is detected early enough, it can be easily treated using one of the following techniques. Continue reading ‘How to Defeat Skin Cancer and Save Your Face’ »

If you spend time in the sun it’s wise to check your body occasionally for signs of skin cancer. This is the number one cancer affecting millions of people each year. A at home self check is easy to do and early detection is the best way to prevent this cancer from spreading. You’ll learn a few different methods to do this as you keep reading.

Starting The Exam

It’s simple, you start with a full length mirror and also a small hand mirror. The first thing you want to do is look at yourself in the mirror and note any freckles, blemishes or moles that currently exist. Next sit down and check your legs, thighs, back of legs and feet. Be sure to check the bottoms of your feet too. Use the hand mirror to view places your not able to clearly see like the back of your legs.

Check your lower back, scalp, upper back and other places that sun exposure is prominent. It’s good to note on paper the markings on your skin so your able to compare this to future check-ups. Continue reading ‘How to Check Yourself For Skin Cancer’ »

Skin cancer is a killer. This is a proven fact which is borne out by the millions of deaths that occur each year on account of it. The problem of global warming has indeed depleted the ozone layer which means that the harmful UV rays of the sun percolate in and affect people who are exposed to these rays for extended periods of time. It is true that the problem of world pollution has reached such alarming proportions that one can really not go to the beach and sun oneself for long periods of time, without having a fear that one would get skin cancer.

As the sun is the largest source of skin cancer, it follows naturally that preventing exposure to the sun would naturally be the most effective means of preventing skin cancer. For instance experts say that it is advisable to avoid going into the sun without adequate protection between 11 am to 4 pm when the sun’s rays are most direct. Similarly, one has to be generous with applying sun tan lotion which keeps the sun’s UV rays out decisively. There are so many kinds of lotions that are available in the market nowadays. One should be careful to ascertain that the sun tan lotion that one is using is as good as it is touted or advertised to be. Continue reading ‘Doing More to Prevent Skin Cancer’ »

Why do we need special clothing for UV protection? UV or ultraviolet radiation is part of the sun’s radiation that we receive as sunlight here on earth. Ultraviolet rays which are of concern to us as human beings can be separated into UVB and UVA. Until recently UVB rays were recognised as the strongest part of ultraviolet radiation and mostly responsible for producing sunburn and skin cancer. However, recent studies at Sydney University in Australia, found that UVA rays, that penetrate more deeply into the skin do more harm. This is more likely to be the cause of skin cancer. UVA has long been known to cause premature aging of the skin. This is caused by reducing its elasticity and strength, resulting in wrinkles, thinning, variations in pigmentation and broken capillaries. Both UVB and UVA rays can cause damage to the skin. Wearing clothing for UV protection is one of the best ways to avoid the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.

It is known that a certain amount of exposure to the sun is necessary to synthesise vitamin D within our bodies. This is for the prevention of rickets, for healthy bone growth and, in its active form, is an important hormone in regulating cell growth. It is also known that short term and long term exposure to UVB and UVA radiation can have serious consequences for human health. A good suntan was and is still looked upon as a sign of good health, whereas, the opposite is probably true. Over exposure to the sun can cause sunburn which is a mild form of radiation burn. It is estimated that one third of the time it takes for sunburn to occur, can significantly inhibit the action of the immune cells in the skin. This could compromise the body’s immune system and its ability to fight skin cancer. Continue reading ‘Clothing For UV Protection – A Reliable Defense For Premature Aging and Skin Cancer’ »

It is a great feeling to have the wind blow through your hair and have the sunshine fall on your face. Several years ago when I lived in Denver I worked for a dermatologist. The mile high city is closer to the sun than the sea level cities. I can not tell you how many ladies came in with skin cancer on the top of their heads because they were out gardening, walking, taking their kids to the park, and so forth. And of course, back then, hairspray was used by everyone. When they got head sores or a little bump on the top of their heads they would come to the dermatologist for treatment.

Men, who played golf or had outdoor jobs, experienced the same symptoms. They were surprised to learn they had skin cancer and needed treatment immediately. Continue reading ‘Walking Hats to Prevent Head Skin Cancer’ »

The fact that cigarettes contain cancer causing chemicals is not anything new. For years, cancer experts have been advising the public to kick the habit and decrease their cancer risk. The connection between alcohol and cancer, however, is not as well known. Skin cancer is only one of the many cancers that can be caused from smoking and alcohol use.

Actinic cheilitis is a condition that affects the lips. Affected lips become puffy, dry, cracked, or ulcerated and change color, often to bright red or white. It is considered to be a pre-cancerous condition. In six to ten percent of cases, it develops into squamous cell carcinoma. The condition can affect people of all ages, regardless of sex, but typically strikes men over fifty. Risk increases with age. Actinic cheilitis is caused by a lifetime accumulation of UV damage. Smoking, alcohol, and poor oral hygiene are also believed to increase the risk of this condition. Continue reading ‘Cancer Causing Chemicals – How Smoking and Alcohol May Contribute to Skin Cancer’ »

It has been several years since scientists found the initial link between tanning beds and skin cancer. We know all too well that there is a relationship between sunlight and skin cancer, but the radiation found in tanning beds damages the skin just like radiation from the sun. Recent research has found that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can also damage the immune system and may possibly cause eye problems such as cataracts, arc eye and ocular melanoma.

Radiation Therapy

High dose radiation is sometimes used in cancer treatment. While cancer cells are killed, the immune system is affected as well. Lymphocytes, white blood cells responsible for the immune system’s response, are reduced in number and are less effective. Other white blood cells are also affected. The decrease in lymphocytes can last for several years. Continue reading ‘Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer – Are You Dying to Be Brown?’ »

Skin cancer is considered one of the most common cancers in the world. It happens when our normal cells undergo changes and spread without control and invade other cells, tissues and organs.

According to American Cancer Society there are over one million Americans who are diagnosed with skin cancer annually. The society also states that 1 out of 5 Americans will likely to have affected in their lifetime and one American dies every hour because of the disease.

World Health Organization affirms that there are about 60,000 people a year worldwide dies from this infection. The number is quite alarming, aside from the fact that the word “cancer” itself makes everyone anxious ad feel uneasy.

The good news is this is 100% curable and can be treated. Early detection and awareness of the signs of skin cancer are essential. There are five signs of skin cancer the one should remember in order to initially assess oneself. And these five signs can be easily remembered as “ABCDE.” Continue reading ‘Why the Five Signs of Skin Cancer are Important to Know?’ »