Melanoma (Skin cancer) is one of the most common cancers in the UK, and each year about 12,800 people are diagnosed with melanoma. It is the 5th most common cancer overall in this country. The number of people developing it is increasing: the rate is 4 times higher than 30 years ago. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people 15 and 34 years of age. The highest incidence is in people over 80. More women than men suffer.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Melanoma occurs when cells develop abnormally on the skin and produce abnormal moles. Some of the symptoms of melanoma include these moles getting bigger, changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge, changing colour – getting darker, becoming patchy or multi shaded, Itching or
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People who have had a melanoma have a much greater risk of developing a second melanoma – their chances are 9 times higher than average. Some recent studies suggest women have a higher risk factor because of their gender. Other research shows an increased men with a higher than average body mass index carry a high risk- yet this is not true of overweight women.
Proposed Awareness Campaign
Melanoma awareness has increased over time. Cancer Research UK initiated campaigns to highlight the risks. ‘Be SunSmart’ and ‘Detecting Skin Cancer’ are health promotions which increase awareness of skin cancer and discuss the practical side of prevention and diagnosis.
Raising awareness of melanoma is very important since lives, particularly those with higher than normal risk, could be saved if education works. I propose initiating an awareness campaign focusing on the following points.
Target groups
1. Statistics show that 15 and 34, people using sunbeds is increasing: melanoma is disproportionately high in this age group. My campaign would, therefore, target this critical age group.
2. People with fair skin, moles or freckles, red or blonde hair are at increased risk, as are those with a personal or family history of skin cancer. Any competent campaign would focus on these particular groups.
3. Common misconceptions need to be removed. Many think using sunscreen prevents ultraviolet rays harming the skin and reduces any risks.
Unlike other cancers which we can develop, melanoma can often be detected on the skin which allows doctors to treat it at its early stages resulting in less complications and lower death rates to patients, again if left undetected at its early stages this can easily spread to distant areas and distant organs. Once melanoma has spread to other areas of the body which is classified as stage IV it is diagnosed as
Any type of change size, color, or shape of a mole is an important warning sign. For weeks or months, watch the changes that occur. The ABCDE rule is a helpful rule to estimate skin changes. A is asymmetry. If one half of a mole does not match the other have there is no symmetry. B is border irregularity. Jagged, uneven, or blurred edges of a mole should catch your attention. C is color. Changes in the mole color, particularly from the edge of the mole to the middle. D is for the diameter. If the mole is larger than 6mm the mole should be of concern. E is evolution. Changes in the surface size and shape, as well as itching or tenderness should be observed. Often time’s melanoma is developed in unmarked skin, but can also develop in existing moles or birthmarks (“Melanoma and Skin Cancer Symptoms”). Skin examinations should be an often routine provided by a doctor. Any notice of suspicious signs, see a health care provider as quick as possible. Examinations by a dermatologist are a potential way to see if you have developed skin cancer. If during the examination skin cancer is suspected a biopsy will probably be the next process (Knight).
all other cancers combined. This includes breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer (Skin Cancer Foundation).
The campaign additionally shows a visual representation of the appearance of the cancer and how it looks when it is removed as well as providing information on how the incidence of skin cancer within Australia is very high.
Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form is melanoma. This cancer of the skin involves mass replication of the pigment producing melanocyte cells, which are located in the epidermis, below the basal layer. There are several factors involved with the onset of melanoma including, exposure to ultraviolet rays, genetic predisposition, numerous nevi (moles), immunosuppression, and environmental exposure to carcinogens.
Most people go to salons or anywhere else to get a tan and they will ask “Are tanning beds dangerous?” The employee will probably say no, they are totally safe, but the truth is tanning beds are not safe! Ultra-violet rays from tanning beds are stronger than the sun’s rays. In addition, tanning beds put out fifteen times the radiation given off the sun. Moreover, tan is one’s body response to injury. Therefore, a tan is dangerous to younger people. To add, tanning beds are riskier than sun exposure and cause melanoma. The risk of melanoma goes up by seventy-five percent when one uses a tanning bed. However, not only is one more
EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE AND SKIN CANCER IN AUSTRALIA Genet Degfaw Student ID No. 4559316 20 October 2017 Table of content 1. Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 2. Background-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-4 2.1 The importance of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer------------------------------------3 2.2 The Australian population at greater risk of skin cancer------------------------------------4 3.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops when unrepaired DNA damage to your skin cells trigger genetic defects that lead you skin cells to multiply at a fast pace and form tumors. Melanoma can often resemble moles and some can come from previous moles. These melanoma moles can range in color from pink, red, brown, purple, white, blue and skin-colored, but more mostly seen as black or brown. It’s said that consumers who use indoor ultraviolent tanning devices are seven-four percent more likely to develop melanoma compared to someone who has never used a tanning bed before. Melanoma is usually caused from intense and over exposure to UV radiation. It has be estimated to kill around 10,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. The lifetime risk of melanoma is 1.5 times higher in males than in females. Melanoma is curable, if it is recognized early and
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer, causing up to 75% cancer-related deaths and is usually occurs due to exposure to UV rays of the sun. The chances are increased with sunburn episodes especially during childhood. It developed from the pigment cells known as melanocytes, a layer of cells producing melanin which protects against the damaging rays of the sun. Sometimes, these pigment cells increase in size and become cancerous melanoma. It didn’t show any particular symptoms, however, it is related to the changes associated with moles, gives ‘ABCDE’ warning signs i.e. Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Colour, Diameter, evolution.
Many people think that is it possible to achieve a “healthy tan,” but this thought has been proven wrong. Overexpose to UV-A and UV-B rays from the sun lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as the possible formation of skin cancer, know as melanoma. An appearance of a tan is actually a stage of burning and damage to the skin. Although a tan may be desirable to many, the fact remains that more people need to be educated on the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays, and the possible health complications of overexposure.
The care of patients who have cutaneous melanoma (CM) has undergone a dramatic shift during the past 5 decades. Excision of pre-metastatic; CM has been the overriding goal. because once distant metastases have occurred. prognosis is dismal. Skin awareness and self-examination by patients. screening examinations of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes by physicians, and careful long-term Surveillance of patients determined in be al high risk for CM 'based on identifiable historic and phenotypic traits are having an immediate positive impact on CM. related mortality and CM-related case. fatality rate.
Applying a sunscreen with a skin protection factor of 15-30, wearing protective clothing such as thin jackets, hats, and sunglasses, and limiting time in the sun when possible are all effective options for protecting your skin against the effects of UV rays. I personally have an olive complexion and have never experienced the effects of sunburn and have often reveled in the tanning effect of time spent in the sun. It is now clear to me that no matter your skin tone, it is crucial to protect yourself from the deeper effects of exposure to UV rays and it is not as simple as using sunscreen to avoid a burn. Additionally, informing others of the significant risk associated with tanning beds is everyone’s responsibility. The risk of melanoma increases by 75% to those who use tanning beds before the age of 35; it is painfully clear that dangers of allowing the benefits of a temporarily dark complexion to outweigh the risks is both irresponsible and
Melanoma is a rare and serious. It begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body.
Every hour at least one American will die of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun. These statistics are alarming and most people are unaware that the sunshine that we all love so much is in fact a threat to our health and good looks. It is up to us to educate ourselves and our children on the harmful effects of sun exposure on the human body like premature aging, physical damage to the body, and cancerous diseases.
C. Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, it kills one person per hour, these cancerous growths are most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. These tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole.