Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer

• What do you know?
• How willing are you to protect yourself?

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Skin cancer abnormal growth of skin cells
usually develops on skin exposed to the sun
can also occur on skin not ordinarily exposed to
sunlight.
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Basal cell carcinoma

• Most common skin cancer.
• Most easily treated and least likely to spread.
• Usually appears as one of the following
• A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
  on your chest or back

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-Usually slow growing and highly treatable (if
detected early)-Occurs mainly in fair-skinned
patients with a family history ---Sunlight is a
factor in about two-thirds of these cancers
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Squamous cell carcinoma

• Easily treated if detected early but slightly
  more apt to spread than basal cell carcinoma.
• Squamous cell carcinoma appears as one of the
  following
• A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears,
  neck, hands or arms
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on
  your face, ears, neck, hands or arms

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Squamous cell carcinoma usually treatable if
found early also can spread internally.
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Melanoma

• Most serious form of skin cancer and most
  responsible for skin cancer deaths.
• Develops in normal skin or in an existing mole
  that turns malignant.
• Found on upper back or face appears as a large
  brownish spot with darker speckles
• Can be a simple mole located anywhere on your
  body that changes in color, size or texture. It
  might even bleed.
• It can be a small lesion with an irregular border
  and red, white, blue or blue-black spots.
• Melanomas can be shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps
  anywhere on your body or mucous membranes (mouth,
  nose, vagina and anus)

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Melanoma of the iris
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Examples of Melanoma
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The ABCDs of Melanoma Detection

• Asymmetry one half unlike the other half.
• Border
  irregular, scalloped or poorly circumscribed
  border.
• Color varied from one area to another
  shades of tan and brown, black sometimes
  white, red or blue.
• Diameter
  while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm
  in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser)
  when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If
  you notice a mole different from others, or
  which changes, itches, or bleeds (even if it
  is small) you should see a dermatologist

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Kaposi sarcoma

• Rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's
  blood vessels causes red or purple patches on
  the skin or mucous membranes.
• Like melanoma, it's a serious form of skin
  cancer.
• Mainly occurs in people with weakened immune
  systems (Examples people with AIDS or those
  taking medications that suppress their natural
  immunity (like organ transplant patients)).

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Kaposis Sarcoma
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Merkel cell carcinoma

• A rare cancer
  firm, shiny
  nodules
  occur on or just
  
  beneath the skin and in
  
  hair follicles.
• The nodules may be red, pink or blue and can vary
  in size from a quarter of an inch to more than 2
  inches.
• Usually found on sun-exposed areas on the head,
  neck, arms and legs.
• Unlike basal and squamous cell carcinomas, Merkel
  cell carcinoma grows rapidly and often spreads
  (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.

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Sebaceous gland carcinoma

• This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in
  the oil glands in the skin.
• Sebaceous gland carcinomas which usually appear
  as hard, painless nodules can develop anywhere
• Most occur on the eyelid, where they're
  frequently mistaken for benign conditions.

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Where does skin cancer begin?

• Skin cancer can occur in the basal cells,
  which make skin cells that continuously push
  older cells toward the surface.
• As new cells move upward, they become
  flattened squamous cells,
• Melanoma arises in the pigment cells
  (melanocytes).
• Normally, skin cells within the epidermis
  develop in a controlled and orderly way when
  healthy new cells push older cells toward the
  skin's surface, where they die and eventually are
  sloughed off. This process is controlled by DNA .
• Skin cancer occurs when DNA is damaged,
  which can cause new cells to grow out of control
  and form a mass of cancer cells.

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Is UV light the only cause?

• Damage to skin cells DNA results from UV
  radiation from the sun and tanning beds.
• UVB light causes harmful changes in DNA,
  including the development of oncogenes a gene
  that can turn a normal cell into a malignant one.
  
• responsible for sunburn and form many basal cell
  and squamous cell cancers.
• UVA penetrates more deeply, weakens the immune
  system and increases the cancer risk, especially
  melanoma.
• Tanning beds deliver UVA, which makes them
  especially dangerous.
• Other factors contribute to skin cancer
• Sun exposure doesn't explain skin cancers that
  develop on skin not exposed to sunlight.
• Heredity may play a role.
• Toxic chemicals or radiation treatments may also
  lead to cancer.

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When to seek medical advice

• If you notice any suspicious change in your skin,
  consult your doctor right away.
• As with most cancers, early detection increases
  the chances of successful treatment.
• Don't wait for the area to start hurting! Skin
  cancer seldom causes pain.

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Be SUN SMART!

• Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor
  for all skin cancers!
• Generously apply water-resistant sunscreen with a
  SPF of at least 15 that
  provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA
  and UVB rays.
• Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days,
  and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing
• Seek shade the sun's rays are strongest between
  10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than
  you are, seek shade.
• Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications some
  include antibiotics certain cholesterol, high
  blood pressure and diabetes medications birth
  control pills nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
  such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), acne
  medicine can make your skin more sensitive to
  sunlight.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as
  they reflect the suns rays.
• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and
  vitamin supplements.
• Avoid tanning beds.  Consider using a sunless
  self-tanning product, but continue to use
  sunscreen with it.
• Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you
  notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on
  your skin, see a dermatologist.