Welcome to Skin cancer Guide
What Causes Skin Cancer Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Some Information on Basal Cell Skin Cancer
from:Skin cancer occurs in three forms; basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma. Of these three, basal cell skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. It is predominant in the US, where about a million new cases are reported every year.
Basal cells are the deepest layer in the epidermis while basal cell carcinomas are malignant growths that grow in this skin layer. This is a form of cancer that seldom metastasizes which results only in scars and disfigurement and seldom is life threatening. It is only if the cancerous cells invade the lymph or blood vessels that this cancer can pass on to the other organs of the body.
Basal call skin cancer is usually spread through local invasion of surrounding skin tissue. This is why the cancer can be cured by the early detection and treatment of the disease. If not treated quickly, basal cell skin cancer proves to be difficult to eliminate and may become large and disturbing.
The risk factors for basal skin cancer are:
• Too much and chronic exposure to the sun over numerous years
• As those with fair or white skin complexion and with blond or red hair are most susceptible to basal skin cancer, a majority of Americans suffer from this skin cancer.
• This cancer was first associated with older people but is now seen more in young adults
With self examination, it is possible to treat basal skin cancer in the bud. Look out for small and pearly nodules that may have telangiectasia on its surface with some ulceration and pigmentation. Even single, flat and depressed lesions that are hard to touch with yellowish or whitish indistinct borders should be referred to the doctor.
A simple biopsy is all that is required to diagnose basal cell carcinoma; and once detected, it is easy to treat. It is only about 5 to 10% of people suffering from basal cell skin cancer who are resistant to treatment, suffer with damage in surrounding skin and at times, may invade the bone and cartilage.
There are different treatment procedures for basal cell skin cancer:
• Curettage where a scalpel is used for scraping malignant tissue and is best for treating superficial carcinoma
• Topical chemotherapy where cancer cells are destroyed by applying pharmacologic agents to the skin
• Cryosurgery where the lesion is destroyed using liquid nitrogen by ultra cold freezing
• Surgical excision is used for removing the cancer when the carcinoma reaches deeper tissues
• Mohs microscopic surgery is the surgical removal of the carcinoma under direct microscopic observation
• Laser surgery where laser beam is used for destroying cancerous tissue
Check with your doctor to choose the best treatment option for your form of basal cell skin cancer.
What Causes Skin Cancer News
Increase in skin cancer worries medical professionals, legislators
Despite years of warnings regarding the risk of skin cancer due to ultraviolet rays and exposure to the sun, researchers and dermatologists are discovering recent scientific data indicating more people are becoming afflicted with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Read more...PSA Screening Controversy: FAQ
Title: PSA Screening Controversy: FAQ Category: Health News Created: 5/25/2012 11:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 5/25/2012 12:00:00 AM
Read more...1 in 5 Americans Will Get Skin Cancer. Will It Be You?
You know you've reached the zenith of pop culture zaniness when Saturday Night Live parodies you. That's exactly what happened to Patricia Krentcil, the overly bronzed New Jersey mom facing second-degree child endangerment charges for allegedly allowing her then five-year-old daughter into a tanning booth. Audiences across America may have laughed at an Oompa-Loompa orange Kristin Wiig spoofing ...
Read more...CDC: Young adults ignoring skin-cancer warnings
The warnings about skin cancer from too much sun don't seem to be getting through.
Read more...How to lower your risk for skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and the cause is primarily sun damage. That's is why it's even more important here on the coast, where we have a lot of sun year round, to protect our skin.
Read more...