preview

Bbc Research Papers

Decent Essays

Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer. Among the three types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (or BCC) is the most frequently occurring type of skin cancer. BCC is a type of skin cancer that “begins in the basal cells, which are a type of cells within the skin that produce new skin cells as old ones die off” (Skincancer.org). BCCs are abnormal, uncontrollable growths of new skin cells that result in red and pink spots, lesions, and scars. The major cause of BCC is sun exposure. Both long-term exposure over a course of a lifetime, and intense exposure over short periods of time, combine to cause damage that can lead to BCC. Due to sun exposure being the major cause of BCC, almost all of BCCs occur in sun exposed …show more content…

There are two types of drugs, and four types of surgeries. Possible types of surgeries include Freezing, Mohs surgery, Surgical Excision, and Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C). Possible types of drugs include Topical treatments, and Medication for advanced cancer. Freezing involves “killing cancerous cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen” (mayoclinic.org). Mohs surgery involves the doctor “removing cancer cells layer by layer”, and “examining each layer under microscope until no cancer cells remain” (mayoclinic.org). Surgical Excision involves the doctor cutting out the cancerous lesion and some healthy surrounding skin. ED&C involves “removing the surface of the skin cancer, and then searing the base of the cancer with an electric needle to control bleeding and kill cancer cells” (mayoclinic.org).Topical treatments include imiquimod, and fluorouracil and are applied to the affected area for several weeks. Medication for advanced cancer is used only on metastatic BCC and includes medications such as vismodegib, or sonidegib, which block molecular signals that enable BCCs to continue growing. As stated above, BCC is mainly caused by direct exposure to the sun. To prevent skin cancer, one should try to avoid direct prolonged hours in the sun. Also, when at the beach, pool, or working outside for long periods of time, one should use sunscreen. Covering up your skin by finding shade, or bringing an umbrella works as well. Avoiding burns and tanning are also a huge factor of preventing BCC as they lead to long term skin

Get Access