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“Exploring health information on the Internet"

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of your skin.  Your skin protects your body against heat, light, infection, and injury. It also stores water, fat, and vitamin D.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer, and malignant melanoma is the most life-threatening. Actinic keratosis, an abnormal skin growth, is a precancer that can develop into skin cancer.

Skin cancer is more common in people with light colored skin who have spent a lot of time in the sunlight.  Skin cancer can occur anywhere on your body, but it is most common in places that have been exposed to more sunlight, such as your face, neck, hands, and arms.

Skin cancer can look many different ways.  The most common sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or sore that won’t heal.  Sometimes there may be a small lump.  This lump can be smooth, shiny and waxy looking, or it can be red or reddish brown.  Skin cancer may also appear as a flat red spot that is rough or scaly.  Not all changes in your skin are cancer, but you should see your health care provider if you notice changes in your skin.

Like most cancers, skin cancer is best treated when it is found early.  If you have a spot or lump on your skin, your health care provider may remove the growth and look at the tissue under a microscope.  This is called a biopsy.  A biopsy can usually be done in your health care provider’s office.  Before the biopsy, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area for a short period of time.

Skin cancer is the world's most common form of cancer and is increasing at an epidemic rate. More than 700,000 Americans will develop skin cancer this year. However, over 90 percent of all skin cancers are curable if detected early.

Early detection and prompt treatment can result in a complete cure for all types of skin cancer so it is important to know the signs.

KNOW THE SIGNS

A skin growth that increases in size and looks pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, red, pink, or multicolored. A mole that changes in color or in texture, becomes irregular in shape, gets larger, or is bigger than a pencil eraser. A spot or growth that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed. An open sore that lasts for more than four weeks, or heals and then reopens. A scaly or crusty bump that is horny, dry, and rough and may produce a pricking or tender sensation.

SUN SAFETY

The sun's ultraviolet rays are responsible for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers. The longer you are in the sun without protection, the greater the danger. Before stepping out to enjoy the sunshine, you should learn how to protect yourself from the dangers of skin cancer.

You don’t have to sacrifice outdoor activities. Just use common sense and take these simple precautions:

• Avoid peak sunlight hours 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest

• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, preferably higher.  Apply sunscreen before going into the sun. Reapply it every two hours or after swimming or perspiring.

• Wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, if you expect to be in the sun for prolonged periods.

In addition to these preventive measures, you should check your skin each month for changes or new growths.  These may be early warning signs of skin cancer, which can be cured if detected early.

If you are concerned about any changes to your skin, contact your health care provider.

(Information for this article was gathered from the National Cancer Institutes’ free Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, and the web sites below.)

Health Gateway’ Discoveries: Cancer Information

CancerNet (http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/) the National Cancer Institutes’ on-line information site,offers credible cancer information, reviewed by oncology experts and based on the results of current research

OncoLink (http://oncolink.upenn.edu/), developed by the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, is the first multimedia oncology (cancer) information resource placed on the Internet. OncoLink has been established with the following objectives:

   1. Dissemination of information relevant to the field of oncology,

   2. Education of health care personnel,

   3 .Education of patients, families, and other interested parties, and

   4 .Rapid collection of information pertinent to the specialty.