THE DANGER OF CANCER

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. –National Library of Medicine

Start and Spread of Cancer

www.patient.co.uk

Cancer begins when a normal cell mutates, or changes, and is not able to repair itself, and then multiplies and forms a tumor. (http://www.patientnavigatortraining.org)Cancer cells spread by invading healthy cells and destroying them in order to create more abnormal cells, thereby allowing the cancer to spread. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0005064/)

SKIN CANCER

3 Most Dangerous Types of Cancer-Basal cell carcinoma: Is the most common form of skin cancer.Squamous cell carcinoma: Is the cancer of a kind of epithelial cell, which is the main part of the epidermis. Malignant melanoma: Is a malignant tumor of melanocytes.

healthcough.blogspot.com

http://www.skincancer.org/

RISK FACTORS OF SKIN CANCER

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- A risk factor is anything that affects a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer.

- Overexposure to UV light- i.e. Sunlight, and tanning beds.

- Fair skin- cancer develops in fair skin more often than darker skinned people.

- Older age- Skin cancer risks go up in older people.

- Men- Men are two times more likely to get skin cancer than women.

- Exposure to large amounts of - arsenic, and radiation.

- Family history/ genetics- long family medical history of skin cancer.http://

www.skincancerprevention.org/skin-cancer/risk-factors

Basal Cell CarcinomaWarning Signs1. Open sore: a

persistent bleeding, oozing sore that opens and heals repeatedly is the first warning sign.

2. An irritated red patch that may crust or itch is the second warning sign.

3. A translucent bump or nodule, it can often by dark as well and confused with a mole, this is the third warning sign.

Prevention:1. Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or

higher.2. Apply Sunscreen 30 minutes prior to

going outside.3. Examine your body every month.

(http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/bcc-prevention-guidelines)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

www.dermatology.ucsf.edu

Warning Signs:1. A scaly red patch of

skin is the first warning sign.

2. An elevated growth with a central depression that occasionally bleeds is the second warning sign.

3. A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds is the third warning sign.

Prevention:1. Avoid any sunburn at all costs.2. Cover your skin with clothes when in

the sun.3. See a physician every year to do a

whole body physical to make sure you do not have any abnormalities on your skin.

(http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/squamous-cell-carcinoma/scc-recurrence-and-prevention)

Malignant Melanoma

themelanomaskincancer.com

Warning Signs:1. Asymmetry- if you draw a line

through a mole and the sides don’t match that is the first warning sign.

2. Border- if the border of the mole are uneven or notched that is the second warning sign.

3. Color- if you have a number of different shades and colors in a mole that is the third warning sign.

4. Diameter- if the mole is larger than 1/4 inch or 6 mm in diameter that is the fourth warning sign.

Prevention:1. Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your

body before going out side and reapply every 2 hours.

2. Use water resistant, SPF above 15 everyday.

3. Avoid tanning beds and UV tanning beds.

(http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-prevention-guidelines)

Call to Action: What you can do.1. Apply a sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, to every inch

of your body, 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply it every two hours. This will help prevent sunburn which can lead to skin cancer.

2. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

* Don’t forget to check your body every month and to have your yearly visit with your doctor about any unusual spots like moles on your skin.

(http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-prevention-guidelines)