Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of cells, which causes tumours. These tumours can be:
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- Benign (non-cancerous)
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- Malignant (with the potential to spread to other parts of the body)
It can be caused by various factors, including excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, gens, and weakened immune system.
What are the different types of skin cancer and how do they develop?
Generally, most skin cancers begin in the epidermis. In the epidermis, there are different layers:
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- Squamous Cells: responsible for the skin’s inner lining.
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- Basal Cells: crucial for producing new skin cells.
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- Melanocytes: produce melanin, the colour pigment of skin.
- Melanocytes: produce melanin, the colour pigment of skin.
Who is at Risk for Skin Cancer?
Keep in mind that all types of skin cancer require early detection to successful treatment. So, take advantage of these must-know hints and questions you may have about skin cancer.
- Understanding what causes and risk factors to skin disease is crucial for prevention or early detection. It’s caused by different reasons for different people. These can be inherited traits like skin type or family history or environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure.
- Fair Skin, Light Hair, and Eye colour: Because these features have lower melanin levels, which normally protects against harmful UV radiation from the sun.
- History of Frequent Sunburns: Repeated sunburns, especially in childhood, cause cumulative damage from UV rays
- Excessive UV Radiation Exposure: Too much UV radiation, whether from sunlight or tanning beds.
- Family History: For those with a family history of skin cancer or certain genetic history
- Moles: Having a large number of moles, atypical moles is also called dysplastic nevi
- Immune system weakness: People whose immune systems are weakened by medical conditions or medications
- Chemical exposures : Certain substances, including coal tar, arsenic, or industrial chemicals.
- Geographical Location: People who live near the equator, like Australia, are more exposed to UV radiation
Early Detection: Your Powerful Tool Against Skin Cancer
Early detection means detecting cancerous or precancerous cells in the early stages. This is often at the site of origin, before the cancer has had a chance to spread or become more advanced.
Early detection of melanoma is very crucial as it is more likely to metastasize if it is not detected early.
Detection methods include regular self-examinations, professional skin checks by a dermatologist, and paying attention to changes in your skin, such as the appearance of suspicious spots or alterations to existing moles.
Your skin talks in its own way, and small changes can say a lot. You can detect skin cancer early because it is visible.
Each skin cancer type have its own signs and symptoms and stages of progression. As a rule of thumb, if you see something NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL, get checked by a dermatologist right away. It could be skin cancer.
Pay attention to warning signs:
Changes in colour, Size, and Shape: Look for alterations in the colour, size, or shape of moles.
New Moles or Growths: Be aware of the sudden appearance of new moles or growths on the skin.
Itching, Bleeding, or Pain: Take note if moles start to itch, bleed, or become painful.
Persistent Sores or Texture Changes: Pay attention to sores that don’t heal or any changes in the texture of the skin.
If you notice any of these sign and symptoms, it is important to Seek Professional Evaluation and see a skin cancer expert.
How to do self- examination?
Your monthly schedule should include a simple but effective routine. Take the time to examine your skin thoroughly from head to toe. If you notice any warning signs, consult a dermatologist immediately.
- Choose a Well-Lit Room: Pick a room with good lighting to ensure you can see your skin clearly.
- Use a Full-Length Mirror: Begin with a full-length mirror to examine your entire body.
- Examine Your Front: Raise your arms and inspect the front of your body, including your chest, abdomen, and underarms.
- Check your face, neck, and scalp. Use a comb or hairdryer to move hair for a closer look.
- Inspect Your Sides: Turn to each side and examine your right and left sides, checking the underarms, waist, and sides of your torso.
- Check Your Back: Use a hand mirror to check your back, or ask a partner to help. Lift your arms to inspect the upper back and turn around to examine the lower back.
- Examine Your Legs: Sit down and inspect your legs, including the tops, backs, and spaces between your toes.
- Don’t forget to check the soles of your feet and the backs of your heels.
- Use a Hand Mirror: Use a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas, such as the back of your neck and ears.
- Check Your Genital Area: Examine your genital area, including the front and sides of your genitals and the inner thighs.
- Look at Your Nails: Examine your fingernails, toenails, and the skin around them.
How often should you conduct a self-examination for skin cancer?
Consistency is key when it comes to self-examinations. Aim to perform a thorough examination once a month to ensure early detection of any changes. Regular monthly checks will help you become familiar with your skin, making it easier to notice subtle alterations.
What to Do If You See Suspicious Sign during your self-examination?
If you notice any suspicious signs, don’t panic. Contact a dermatologist promptly to schedule an appointment for a professional evaluation. Early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Worried About Skin Cancer?
Explore Final Tips for Self-Examination!
What is annual skin checks?
Annual skin check or mole check refers to a routine examination of the skin conducted by a healthcare professional.
This check-up is performed to identify any abnormalities, lesions, or potential signs of skin cancer.
By conducting an annual skin screening, you can detect skin cancer at an early stage which is crucial for successful treatment and improved outcomes.
Here’s what you can expect to see during an annual skin screening:
1)Full-Body Examination: The dermatologist will carefully examine the entire surface of your skin, including areas that are not exposed to the sun.
2)Assessing Existing Moles : Existing moles will be examined closely, looking for signs of irregular borders, colour variations, changes in size, or other features that may suggest a potential issue.
3) Discussion of Concerns: If you have specific areas of concern or have noticed any changes in your skin, it’s important to discuss them with the dermatologist during the screening. This information allows the examination to address specific areas of interest.
4) Education and Prevention: The dermatologist may also provide education on skin cancer prevention, sun protection measures, and self-examination techniques to empower individuals in taking an active role in their skin health.
When your doctor suspects skin cancer, they may perform a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. During this procedure, a small sample of suspicious skin is removed for laboratory testing.
What is the best way to detect skin cancer?
Skin cancer can be detected in several ways. Sometimes it diagnosis typically involves a combination of methods and procedures to accurately identify cancerous cells. Here are the common methods used by healthcare professionals:
Visual Examination: A skin cancer doctor will carefully examine the skin for any suspicious lesions, moles, or growths. They will evaluate the size, shape, colour, and texture of these abnormalities.
Dermoscopy: This procedure involves using a handheld device called a dermatoscope to magnify the skin and examine it in detail. Dermoscopy helps identify specific features that may indicate skin cancer.
Skin Biopsy: If some suspicious are found, a biopsy is required. During a biopsy, a small sample of skin is taken from the affected area for further examination.
Once diagnosed, additional tests may be conducted to determine the stage of the skin cancer. For some types of cancer like basal cell carcinoma, a biopsy that removes the entire growth is often sufficient.
However, for cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, or melanoma, additional tests may be recommended.
These tests could include imaging to examine nearby lymph nodes or a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check for signs of cancer spreading.
There are different types of biopsies, including:
Shave biopsy: A thin layer of the abnormal skin is shaved off.
Punch biopsy: A small cylindrical tool is used to remove a deeper sample of skin.
Excisional biopsy: The entire growth or mole is surgically removed.
Pathology Examination: The biopsy sample is sent to a pathology lab, where a pathologist examines it under a microscope. They assess the cells to determine if they are cancerous, and if so, what type of skin cancer it is.
Imaging Tests: In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans may be done to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These tests are more commonly used for advanced stages of skin cancer.
Skin cancer treatments
Skin cancer treatment options include surgical and non-surgical approaches. The choice of treatment depends on various factors such as the type, size, and stage of the cancer.
Surgical options for skin cancer include:
Excision: This involves removing cancerous tissue and a margin of healthy skin. It’s a common skin cancer treatment that removes the tomour.
Mohs Surgery: It involves removing thin layers of cancerous tissue one by one and examining them under a microscope.
This process is repeated until all cancer cells are removed, protecting healthy tissues in the process.
Often, it is used for skin cancers on the face or in areas where tissue preservation is important.
Non-surgical treatment options for skin cancer include:
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. It can be an effective treatment option when surgery is not suitable or when the cancer has returned.
Topical Medications: Certain medicines, such as imiquimod and fluorouracil, can treat some types of superficial skin cancer. Medications such as these stimulate the immune system Immunotherapy or destroy cancer cells directly.
Cryotherapy: Freezing the affected area with extreme cold(commonly with Liquid nitrogen), which destroys the cancer cells. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy
it is a treatment commonly used for various skin lesions and particularly effective for treating actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition that can develop into skin cancer[
It can also be used for some early-stage skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Cryotherapy is a recommended procedure for treating squamous cell carcinomas localized to the skin, such as Bowen’s disease.
After cryotherapy, the frozen tissue will eventually blister, crust, and fall off, allowing new healthy skin to form. Multiple treatment sessions may be required depending on the size and location of the cancerous lesion.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): PDT combines a special drug with light to obliterate skin cancer cells. This method offers a unique approach to treatment with promising outcomes.
Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C): The cancer is scraped off with a curette (a sharp, spoon-shaped instrument) and the area is then treated with an electric current to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Consult with a skin cancer doctor or an oncologist to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
What do do after skin cancer treatment
Following skin cancer treatment, knowing what to expect and what follow-up care you’ll need is key. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Recovery Process: Depending on the type and extent of treatment, the healing process can vary. Redness, swelling, and tenderness are common in the treated area.
It is essential to follow any post-treatment instructions given by your doctor.
Follow-up: Regular follow-up appointments with your skin cancer doctor after skin cancer treatment.
UV Protection: Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful (UV) radiation is vital after skin cancer treatment.
Sun exposure increases the risk of developing new skin cancers or recurrences. use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, wear protective clothing, seek shade during peak sun hours, and avoid tanning beds.
Emotional Support: Dealing with skin cancer and its treatment can have emotional impacts. It is essential to seek emotional support from loved ones or support groups.
How can prevent from skin cancer: effective Skin Cancer Prevention Strategies
The risk of skin cancer can be significantly reduced by taking effective measures. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV radiation.
2. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps
3. Perform regular skin checks
4. Stay Aware of Sun-sensitive Medications
5. Be Mindful of Peak Sun Exposure
6. Teach Sun Safety to Children
7. Know your risk factors.
8. Adopt healthy life style
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to skin cancer.
