Skin Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for both women and men. The number of confirmed cases has steadily increased over the past few decades. Knowing your risk factors, how to identify the early stages of this disease and how to protect yourself from skin cancer is essential for early detection and effective treatment.

There are two types of skin cancer: melanomas and keratinocyte cancers. Melanomas are less common yet more serious than other types of skin cancer. It is important that you locate and receive treatment for all types of this cancer to prevent the spread into surrounding tissues.

A major risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or tanning beds. UV rays can penetrate the skin even when it is cloudy, cool or hazy outside. There are some things you can do to limit your sun exposure. Many physicians recommend daily use of sunscreen. You should seek shade when spending time outdoors and try to avoid activities outside when the sun's rays are strongest, usually between 10am and 4 pm. Hats, sunglasses and protective clothing protect your skin from UV exposure. Stay away from indoor tanning beds as they have been linked to melanoma and squamous cell skin cancers.

Individuals with fair skin that freckles and burns easily are at a higher risk for this type of cancer than those individuals with darker skin. This is because pigment or melanin in your skin provides protection from UV radiation. If you have light-colored eyes and blond or red hair, you may be at a higher risk as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, some other risk factors include:

Personal or family history of skin cancerExcessive sun exposureHistory of sunburnsMolesWeakened immune systemIncreasing age

No matter what your risk factors, it is important that you examine your skin each month. Many skin cancers are highly treatable with early diagnosis. Look for any changes in moles or unusual areas on your skin. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for a thorough skin exam each year. These check-ups are the best way to make sure that your skin remains healthy.

If you or the dermatologist finds a spot on your skin that causes concern, he may take a biopsy of the area. If the lab finds cancerous or pre-cancerous cells, more tests may be needed to determine the stage, type and extent of the cancer. Once the cancer is staged, the physician will determine which treatment options will be most effective. Most skin cancers are highly treatable if found early. Follow up exams and tests will be needed to ensure that the cancer does not reoccur.

While there is no way to avoid UV exposure completely, taking a few precautions can make a big difference in the overall health of your skin. Be vigilant about your skin checks and contact your physician with any concerns. With a little bit of prevention and routine checks, you may be able to lower your risk for developing any form of skin cancer.

Laura Mims is a writer for FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, which specializes in oncology, cancer care and cancer treatment for most types of cancer, including skin cancer.

Original article

What Are the Important Risk Factors About Melanoma?

In case you are not aware, melanoma is a very malignant tumor that is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells called melanocytes, the pigment producing cells. While it is usually referred as a type of skin cancer, it can and does occur in other body organs.

Although it is much less common than either basal cell and squamous cell cancers, it is still remains the cause of the greatest number of skin cancer-related deaths.

Over exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun can have very damaging effects on the DNA in the skin cells. Once the DNA becomes damaged, there is a greater incidence of cancerous changes that will develop in the affected cells.

Moles start out as benign tumors, composed of melanocytes and these can become cancerous.

The critical points to look for are changes in the size or shape:

1. Has the mole developed an irregular edge?
2. Is the mole getting darker or showing multiple shades?
3. Is there any presence of inflammation, itching or bleeding?
4. Is there any growth of a crusty surface?

If you notice any of the signs or multiple signs, you need to see a physician immediately. Any individual who has numerous abnormal moles is more likely to develop melanoma.

Individuals who have fair skin, especially with red hair, are also at a higher risk. If your skin is highly freckled, you are also at a greater risk for the disease. People who have darker skin pigmentation, have greater natural protection.

If there is a family history of malignant melanoma, especially a mother, father, brother or sister, this factor significantly increases the risk. Statistically, individuals who have a primary relative diagnosed with melanoma, will develop it themselves.

The best preventative measures are careful monitoring for any changes in your skin, minimizing your exposure to the sun during the hours of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun and when you go swimming, you must use some type of sunscreen.

Melanoma must be diagnosed at the earliest stages, so they treatment can be initiated. If it is NOT diagnosed early and treated, it can easily spread to other parts of the body and be fatal.

Mickey Lieberman is a Computer Consultant with over 30 years of experience working with both IBM mainframes, in various capacities and PC's. My skin cancer was diagnosed early and surgically removed.

Original article

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Reduce Melanoma Risk Factors

Good news for women with high melanoma risk factors, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. You might reduce your chances of developing it by 50% by ensuring you get enough vitamin D and calcium supplements according to some promising new research.

Doctors know that increased risk of this form of cancer comes from already having a non-melanoma (basil or squamous cell) skin cancer. Researchers on the study believe the findings are quite encouraging in terms of preventing melanoma in a population classed as high-risk.

Calcium and vitamin D are known for playing a part in the growth of bones, but they do affect other cells of the body as well. Some research has also shown that these two bone helpers are tied to a lower risk of breast, colon, prostate and other types of cancers.

400 IU (international units) of vitamin D is all you need according to the researchers. Whereas, the U.S. IOM (Institute of Medicine) suggests 600 IU daily.

The theory suggests that skin cancer cells lay in wait to form into a melanoma, but taking calcium and vitamin D, in the right amounts, might keep them from growing into a tumor.

Calcium has shown itself to be able to minimize tumor growth in those who have colon cancer. The researchers also noted that an earlier study they saw vitamin D supplementation cutting the chances of melanoma in older men.

For the current work, the team gathered information on over 36,200 women aged between 50 to 80 years who were taking part in the Women's Health Initiative study. To determine if calcium and vitamin D had an effect on broken hips or cancer of the colon, the subjects were assigned to take either supplements or a placebo. The supplements included 1,000 mg of calcium along with 400 International Units of vitamin D.

Over the next seven-years, the women who took the supplements and had a non-melanoma skin cancer cut their chances of developing a dangerous melanoma by a whopping 57% compared to subjects who did not receive the supplements. The reduction did not come for those who hadn't already suffered with a non-melanoma skin cancer.

From figures released by National Cancer Institute in America, 68,000 plus people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in the U.S. It's thought that lots of sun exposure in your youth ups your chances for developing for non-melanoma skin cancer. However, sunlight also has a role in vitamin D synthesis. The thinking goes that increasing your vitamin D levels naturally might help your skin cells from becoming cancerous. The role of calcium is not yet fully understood.

More work needs to be done to see if the results appear in men or younger women. The team also plans to test vitamin D and calcium compounds on cancer cells directly.

In the meantime, if you're at risk of skin cancer or not, getting enough vitamin D is important for keeping yourself healthy. You can get this important nutrient from foods like fatty fish and dairy, exposure to natural sunlight (not during peak hours of course) or taking daily supplements.

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Original article