SKIN CANCER

An Overview of Skin Cancer By: John Grimme
Cancer.:

• Is there any more devastating word? How stupid would you feel if you were diagnosed with it and found out you could have prevented it. In this case, we are talking skin cancer.Imagine sitting in a doctor’s office and being told you have cancer. Although cancer treatment has come a long way, it would still be a devastating moment.What would your reaction be to such news. Panic? Shock? What would it mean to your life, your family, your friends if you found out you had cancer.
• What if it is terminal?Cancer and death, the two words just go together notwithstanding the experiences of Lance Armstrong. Skin cancer is often treatable. More importantly, you could have prevented it.So you have skin cancer. What exactly does that mean? Well, you have an abnormal growth in an area of your skin. It can be found in different layers of the skin, but the epidermis is most common.Skin cancer is often associated with, surprise, exposure to the sun.
• Repeated sun burns can be one cause. So can extensive exposure over time. Our atmosphere is letting in more ultraviolet radiation as well, which is increasing the number of cases.Cancerous skin growth is actually a catch all phrase. This particular cancer breaks down into three different types with each having its own outcome.When it comes to this type of cancer, there is serious and less serious diagnosis. Malignant melanoma is the worst.
• It is fatal if not treated early, but is the rarest form diagnosed.Strange as it may sound, the second sub-cancer can be hereditary. It is basal cell. It is also the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer. The good news is it is rarely fatal and can be treated.Our final sub-category of skin cancer is Squamous cell. It falls somewhere between the previous two. It is diagnosed less than basal, but more than melanoma. It can even have a hereditary element. If treated early, it is curable.
• If not, it can be fatal.Any cancer diagnosis is obviously a bad thing. The ironic and sad fact of skin cancer is you can reduce your risk to practically zero. You just need to take common sense steps.Picture a warm, sunny day. What are people doing? They are lying out in the sun. They are going on walks. They are doing some landscaping. All of these things put them at risk for skin cancer.
• Should you avoid being outside. Nope. All you have to do is take precautionary steps. First and foremost, wear sunscreen! How hard is that? It will protect you from the damaging rays of the sun and the potential of skin cancer.
  
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A Guide to Skin Cancer By: John Grimme

• Not all cancers are the same. Some are deadly from diagnosis, but others are not. Skin cancer is preventable and treatable, but many people fail to take the steps to avoid it.When sitting in a doctor’s office, one always tends to get the feeling any news will be bad news. Imagine sitting there and having your doctor tell you that you have cancer.What would your reaction be to such news.
• Panic? Shock? What would it mean to your life, your family, your friends if you found out you had cancer. What if it is terminal?A diagnosis of cancer carries a certain lotto factor. Getting cancer is bad enough, but the type of cancer is critical to your ultimate outcome. Fortunately, skin cancer is both treatable and preventable.The layers of your skin, with the epidermis being typical, are where you will find skin cancer.
• In nominal terms, the cancer is an atypical growth in the cells of the particular layer.If you like to go out in the sun, you are probably already aware of the risks. That being said, it is important to understand that a good tan does not lower your risk. Also, short periods of exposure can be just as deadly if you burn.As with the term “cancer”, there are actually subcategories of skin cancer.
• Some are bad and some not so much.When it comes to this type of cancer, there is serious and less serious diagnosis. Malignant melanoma is the worst. It is fatal if not treated early, but is the rarest form diagnosed.Basal cell skin cancer, on the other hand, is the most frequently seen skin cancer.
• It is rarely fatal. Oddly, it can also be hereditary. If you family has a history of it, get checked out.A third category of cancer is Squamous cell. It is can form on your skin or in your internal organs. How scary is that? Squamous is treatable, but can also spread and be fatal.Getting cancer is a horrific thing, particular since there is often little you can do to prevent it. Skin cancer is a different story. If you take basic steps, you can prevent it.Love to be outside? Is your idea of a good time to go for walks, lay out in the sun or maybe just poke around in the garden?
• Well, you are increasing your risk of getting skin cancer.The magic cure for skin cancer is sun protection. If you are going to be out in the sun, wear it! That’s it. How hard is that? If you have less hair than you might wish, you should also wear a hat. Take these common sense, easy steps, and you can prevent problems.
  
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What you Need to Know about Skin Cancer PreventionBy: MIKE SELVON
Skin cancer prevention is preached by medical professionals all over the United States. This is no surprise given that the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation reported more than one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005. Despite the medical evidence available on skin cancer, our society remains focused on tanning beds and sunbathing without using the proper protection. Skin cancer comes in two forms, melanomas and non-melanomas. Melanomas usually account for only four percent of diagnosed skin cancers, but they are considered to be the most deadly. Melanomas occur in the epidermis, the skin's outer layer, usually appearing as a dark mole with uneven edges. If detected early through skin cancer prevention, melanomas can be eliminated without causing harm. If ignored, these cancers can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Non-melanomas, on the other hand, are comprised of two different cell types, basal cells and squamous cells. Both of these cells are caused from sun exposure, but basal cells form in the lower epidermis while squamous cells form in the upper epidermis. Preventing skin cancer is often associated with older generations, but today you see more teenagers and young adults spending excessive amounts of time in the sun. Without the proper protection, our society could see a surge in skin cancer diagnosis. Tanning beds are another cause of skin cancer and are often used throughout the year, not just during the summer months. Proper prevention begins with knowing what you need to be sun safe any time of the year. If you have light colored hair and fair skin, you should be weary of exposing yourself to over indulge in the sun's rays. You should also be aware if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with skin cancer because this could increase your chances of developing the disease.Sunscreen is recommended as a form of protection against the sun. The American Cancer Society urges the use of waterproof sunscreen that has an SPF15 or more of both UVA and UVB protection. You should also apply at least an ounce of sunscreen for your body twenty minutes before going out into the sun. Too often, individuals forget to re-apply their sunscreen after being exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Also be sure to avoid the sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because this is when the sun's rays are most intense. Staying unprotected in the sun during this time is when you put yourself in the danger zone for damaging healthy skin cells. Proper skin cancer prevention should be practiced by everyone in your family, even babies. Doctors recommend babies that are six months or younger stay out of the sun. Teaching your children to be sun smart is important for their health too. Find shady areas when you take them outside to play and be sure they have the proper protection on. Clothing is another way to protect yourself and your family from harmful rays. Wear hats that have wide brims to cover all areas of your neck, ears, eyes and scalp. Skin cancer prevention does not mean you have to avoid the sun altogether. It just means you should be smart when you do go outside. Remembering to use a protective sunscreen all year is a great way to start your cancer prevention routine. Know your skin and any marks or freckles so you can recognize abnormalities that may develop. The sooner you start guarding yourself from harmful rays, the better you raise your chance of avoiding skin cancer.
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BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer Signs and Signals By: Mabel Dugmore
. In a perfect world, we'd get prior warning when breast cancer was about to occur. An alarm would sound, a red flag would wave or we'd receive a letter in the mail. But the real world, unfortunately, isn't quite so thoughtful.Early breast cancer presents no outward symptoms. There is no pain, and no warning. In fact, the only means of detected breast cancer in its preliminary stage is by finding a lump or an abnormality.

. This can be done by performing breast self-examination, or by way of a yearly mammogram.Most lumps that are found in the breast are not cancerous. However, it is essential to have a doctor examine the lump immediately.Some women find that breast cancer is indicated by a bump above the collarbone or under the arm. This bump might be persistent, and then other symptoms may appear. These can include changes to the skin and surface of the breast, as well as nipple inversion or discharge.Discharge from the breast is quite common and is rarely a symptom of cancer.

. However, if there is blood in the discharge, or if it happens in only one breast, then a physician would be more concerned. Nipple inversion is also very common, but if it occurs suddenly, it should also be brought to the attention of your doctor.If you notice swelling or redness of the breast, this might indicate an infection of the tissue. Quick treatment is advised for any type of infection. Similarly, if you find strong pain, redness, or swelling in your shoulder, armpit, or breast, seek the advice of your health care provider. Breast cancer is most easily treated when it is detected early.

.Where breast cancer is present, changes may occur to the skin such as redness, puckering and changes to texture. There are some skin diseases that may cause a similar effect, however it's important to have a professional consultation to rule out any possibility of cancer.Breast cancer can take months or even years to develop. Once diagnosed, it's crucial to begin treatment immediately, as it is much more difficult to treat cancer once it has begun to spread throughout the body in what is called metastastic spread.

.Some of the earliest signs of breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram test. Women over 40 should have this test done once per year. The test uses an electronic scanner to examine breast tissue. If something abnormal shows up, contact your physician to determine if it is something to worry about and seek treatment for.

.In addition to a mammogram, manual examination and ultrasolography may also be used to detect abnormalities. A complete physical examination of the breast includes a visual inspection and palpitation, including the armpits and areas around the collarbone. Your healthcare provider may palpate for a lump or feel for a thickening in the skin. A biopsy, where a piece of the lump or tissue is removed, is the only definite method to test the cells and provide a positive diagnosis.Here are some of breast cancer's most common symptoms:

* A lump in the breast, above the collarbone or under the arm, that stays for longer than a week

* Nipple discharge

* Changes to the nipples, such as inversion

* Changes on the breast's skin surfaceDuring your regular self-examinations, if you find any of these symptoms, don't take a chance, but see your doctor as soon as you can to determine if what you have found requires treatment.
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Warning Symptoms of Breast Cancer By: Mabel Dugmore
.In a perfect world, we'd get prior warning when breast cancer was about to occur. An alarm would sound, a red flag would wave or we'd receive a letter in the mail. But the real world, unfortunately, isn't quite so thoughtful.Early breast cancer does not reveal outward symptoms of its presence. No warnings and likely no pain.
. The only method for detecting breast cancer in its early stage is to find a lump or other abnormality. Most of the time this comes about from a breast self-examination, or from a regular mammogram test.Of course, most breast lumps are not cancerous. But it is still imperative to immediately have the lump examined by a doctor.Some women find that breast cancer is indicated by a bump above the collarbone or under the arm.
.This bump might be persistent, and then other symptoms may appear. These can include changes to the skin and surface of the breast, as well as nipple inversion or discharge.Rarely will a discharge be a symptom of cancer, and in fact is quite common. However, if you notice blood in the discharge, or if it only occurs in one breast, then see a doctor immediately. Inversion of nipples is also quite common, but if it occurs suddenly, check with your doctor.Swelling or redness in the breast may be an indication of an infection present in the breast tissue.
.Any infections, regardless of the type or cause, should be treated promptly. See your doctor right away if you notice redness, swelling or severe pain in your breast, in your armpit, or under your shoulder.Sometime a change in skin, such as textural changes or puckering, can appear alongside breast cancer. Of course, many other diseases can also cause these effects, so it is valuable to eliminate the possibility of breast cancer by having an exam by a doctor.It can take months or years for breast cancer to develop.
.But once it is diagnosed, it is very important to begin treatment as soon as possible. The goal is to treat the cancer before it goes through metastastic spread and affects other parts of the body.Some of the earliest signs of breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram test. Women over 40 should have this test done once per year. The test uses an electronic scanner to examine breast tissue. If something abnormal shows up, contact your physician to determine if it is something to worry about and seek treatment for.In addition to a mammogram, manual examination and ultrasolography may also be used to detect abnormalities. A complete physical examination of the breast includes a visual inspection and palpitation, including the armpits and areas around the collarbone. Your healthcare provider may palpate for a lump or feel for a thickening in the skin. A biopsy, where a piece of the lump or tissue is removed, is the only definite method to test the cells and provide a positive diagnosis.Here are some of breast cancer's most common symptoms:
* A lump in the breast, above the collarbone or under the arm, that stays for longer than a week
* Discharge from a nipple
* Nipple inversion or similar changes in the nipple
* Skin surface changes on the breastDon't take chances with your health. If you notice any of these breast cancer symptoms, see your doctor right away.
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