Skin Cancer

by Yousuf Asfour

Causes

        · The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolent rays from sun exposure         · Smoking tobacco can also cause skin cancer         · HPV infections can increase the risk of squamous

cell carcinoma         · Some genetic syndromes that cause moles or

birthmarks may cause a higher risk for skin cancer         · Radiation from sources such as X-rays also can

cause skin cancer

Types

         · Malignant melanomao   Rarest type from the 3 skin cancerso   Metastasizes much more frequently causing death more often         · Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)o   Most common type of skin cancero   Rarely metastasizes and is almost never lethal and is easily treated         · Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)o   Common, but not as common as BCCo   Metastasizes more than BCC but very slowly

Signs and Symptoms

         · Malignant melanomao   If a mole changes shape or color, that is a warning sign of a melanomao   Most melanomas are brown or black looking lesions         · Basal cell Carcinomao   Usually a pearly translucent elevated bump on sun exposed regionso   Blood vessels may appear and bleed         · Squamous cell carcinomao   Appears as a red thickened scaly patch on sun exposed regionso   May crust and bleed

Prevention

         · The best way to prevent any skin cancer is using sunscreen while outdoors         · Limit exposure to radiation from X-rays and other

radiation emitting machines         · Where protective clothing         · Take scheduled visits to the doctor to examine the

cancer 

Cures

         · The non-melanoma skin cancers can be easily dealt with, especially when dealt with early on         · Melanomas can also be dealt with, but must be

removed very early on or else they can cause extreme damage         · All skin cancer must be removed before

metastasizing

Treatment

         · Surgical methods are usually used to deal with skin cancer         · Treatment depends on who has the cancer         · The treatment also depends on age, health, and

severity of the cancer of the persono   If the person who has the cancer has other diseases and is old, they may not treat it and have to live with it

Bibliography

    · "Skin Cancer." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. 

      · "Skin Cancer Facts." Skin Cancer. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. .

       · "Skin Cancer Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention and Diagnosis on MedicineNet.com." Web. 10 Feb. 2012.