Useful Tips to Treat a Cancerous Mole

It is very important to treat a cancerous mole as soon as it appears. Moles are generally harmless growths that are darkened due to collections of pigment in the skin. These areas may show up during the first year of life and may continue to appear well into the fifth decade of life. Sun exposure can also cause moles to develop and studies have shown that the more moles a person has, the more they are susceptible to developing a cancerous mole.

In general, moles are a product of heredity and are more than likely to be little more than cosmetic nuisances. They may be flesh-colored, brown, or dark black, flat or raised. However, if you ever notice a mole that begins to change shape or appearance then you should schedule a visit with a dermatologist immediately to rule out a cancerous mole.

There are three basic types of skin cancer. These are Basal Cell Carcinomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas, and Melanomas. A cancerous mole characterizes all three of these skin cancers and all three of these are the result of too much Ultra Violet rays from the sun. There is no denying the importance of using sunscreen and other protective devices to prevent sun damage and possible skin cancers. Sun protective clothing, sunglasses, hats, and lotions are all necessary in preventing skin from being exposed to these rays.

If you develop a mole that you believe may be cancerous, you will need to schedule an appointment and arrange to have a biopsy done. The biopsy can be performed under local anesthesia and involves the dermatologist taking a sample of the mole and having it examined in the lab. The lab will look for cancerous cells and if they are found, they will be able to determine what type of cancer it is.

Most cancerous moles will be removed immediately with a high percent success rate. Basal Cell Carcinomas are often removed without any threat of life involved. However, any cancerous mole that is left to develop on its own will eventually lead to loss of life. Squamous Cell Carcinomas are also removed and may require the use of radiation to completely eradicate the cells.

Like Basal Cell Carcinomas, if caught early, they have a very high success rate. Malignant Melanomas, however are the most dangerous forms of skin cancer and a Melanoma, cancerous mole must be removed immediately. Malignant Melanomas may spread from organ to organ, and can cause devastating damage.

Chemotherapy isn't often required when dealing with skin cancer. It is usually a matter of cutting out the mole. There are different procedures that may be used to remove the mole. Some of these include using Cryotherapy, or freezing the mole of. This is done by using a solution of Liquid Nitrogen and covering the mole. Excision is also an option.

To be effective, the excision should remove the base of the mole. It is important to check the area after the procedure to make sure that all traces of the cancerous mole has been removed.

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New iPhone App Can Detect Skin Cancer

Scientists have developed a novel gadget that converts the iPhone into a powerful medical tool to review skin cancers.

The wonder device named 'Handyscope' when plugged with an app into the Apple smartphone turns iPhone into a dermatascope, which doctors use to detect cancer.

Marketing Manager of the device Valeska Heinrich said, "The Handyscope combines the latest communication technology with a sophisticated tool for skin cancer screening, opening up a new era for cancer diagnosis.

"This is a very exciting innovation and the first of its kind in the world. The Handyscope makes skin examinations much more convenient by allowing them to be carried out anywhere. The brilliant dermatoscopic photos on-screen show important details at a glance, so a decision can quickly be made on whether a mole is suspicious."

Working of Handyscope

The Handyscope uses a polarising light to check whether a mole is malignant. It has a standardized zoom and auto-focus that clicks images of a mole with a single tap of the iPhone's touchscreen.

The special feature of the device is that the images captured can be mailed immediately to the dermatologist for an early diagnosis. Images can be enlarged on the full screen at 20 times their actual size and then saved with another tap on the screen. The shooting date and time is automatically recorded with the uploaded images.

In addition, the relevant data of the patient and other necessary information can also be added manually. All the data is encrypted and can be protected with a password to preserve doctor/patient confidentiality.

Dr David Pye, a researcher based at Salford University stated, "This is a powerful piece of kit which could be very useful for people in the profession assessing whether a mole is cancerous.

"Sending images around the world for expert diagnosis could be incredibly helpful and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this before.

"During a mole examination you're looking for things like irregular edges and unusual colouration, which the device would be very good at picking up.

"However, I don't think it will be Joe Bloggs performing examinations at home - this is likely to be for doctors who could do with a second opinion."

Handyscope an expensive gadget

Handyscope is made by German-based firm FotoFinder is an expensive technology. The gadget, which is being launched today is priced at £995 while the app needed to use it costs £6.99.

The Handyscope can be purchased online and the app can be bought from the Apple iTunes store.

For more information check out Skin Cancer

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3 Tips to Help You Avoid Developing Skin Cancer

Cancer, the most dreaded word after AIDS. Yes. It's true. We all want to stay away from it, as far as possible. We don't want to touch it even with a ten foot pole. God forbid, if any one is diagnosed or even asked to go for a biopsy, life becomes hell (till cleared). Forget about the treatment--which is not conclusive even in this age--it does more damage than treat. The side effects give more publicity than the disease itself: patches on open skin, bulges on or near treatment area, rapidly losing hair leading to baldness, fearful eyes, changed overall behavior and what not! The unlucky one needs to live with it.

I think its enough description. But I had to put it. Because only then I could emphasize how you can possibly avoid it. I use the word "possibly" because nothing in this world is foolproof. But then there are two foolproof things: one that we can not go away from "the moment of truth" and the other one we are going away from: nature. That's the first tip: stay closer to nature.

Let us have an example. All medical journals talk: prolonged exposure leads to cancer. I am not categorizing any causes, there may be many. But consider this: Indian summer months often cross 120 degrees Fahrenheit, local populace don't have enough clothes to cover their bodies, yet we don't see considerable population affected by the prolonged exposure. The locals eat raw onion, chillies and other local fruits & vegetables and for them the Sun does not exist. Women breast-feed their children, continue feeding till the next baby arrives and never get breast cancer. Allow your organ to do what it is supposed to do and it never develops the unwanted: the same tip, stay close to nature helps prevent complications.

Have a headache? Pop in a pill. No mustache? Get hormone treatment. Going out in the Sun? Use sunscreen. What the heck! All are chemicals. Do not go by the research journals alone. They hide more than they reveal. There are commercial lobbies & interests to stub the findings. Do some research on your own. Fashion & lifestyles are necessary but should not be bounding. Use a hat to avoid the Sun. Try to bear some pain, indulge in other work and your brain will forget. Fantasize often, it works wonders, and that's the second tip.

The doctors treat you for your disease, as it appears NOW. They don't know how you spent your childhood, your teen & middle age. Whether you drank beer or coke (good for cleaning toilets) instead of water, or kept yourself hydrated well, you popped too many pills or slept in Oxygen nets (like late Michael Jackson). Too much of anything and it hurts, not today but later when you grow old. Mend your ways, it is never too late. This is the next quarter-tip.

Do you take a morning stroll or run daily? Well, running one or two miles is enough, excess is bad. Your body is not made for running. Walking is good, for any length. Walking provides good lubrication for joints, with zero stress. Rope climbing, skipping ropes, laughing are good for health. Those who fear exercising stand to lose on every front. Accidents, injuries & trauma are part of life. They will always make inroads in our lives, but you can prevent injuries and give accidents a slip. This is the tip number two and a half.

Remember, we spend more than 12 hours standing / walking / working and so, our shoes should be comfortable. Next 6-8 hours in bed, so even that should be comfortable. The food we eat provides all the energy hence it should be filling, nourishing and satisfying. Binging once or twice a week is okay, excess is bad. Eat good food is the next tip.

The brain controls our body. What do you do to nourish it? You may sleep but brain functions, like our heart. Smile, laugh, crack jokes that induce laughter, weep till tears flow and meditate often. Spirituality is good for your brain, it soothes your nerves, silently. Read a page or two everyday of any holy text, especially before retiring to bed. If you cannot stand, listen to cool music. This the last tip.

Friends, stress, strain, tension are all here to stay. Lubricate all your body parts, avoid excess and stay by nature are the mantras to put cancer at bay.

Be selfish, for your body's sake. Prevent accidents, injury and trauma. Click Here Improve your life. Show others how to. Contribute something to humanity.

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