Each year, millions of people find out that they have skin cancer. Skin cancer is almost 100% curable if found early and treated right away. It is possible to prevent some types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are sometimes called non-melanoma skin cancer.
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
This presentation presents the skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and its symptoms, treatment, case
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
This presentation presents the skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and its symptoms, treatment, case
Early Detection of Melanoma and Other Skin CancersSummit Health
This lecture provides an overview of skin cancer including risks, early detection, and treatment. Learn to identify the early signs of skin cancer. Melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumors will be discussed and prevention of skin cancer will be emphasized.
Skin Cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells and most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
Purpose:
The purpose of this webinar is to spread awareness among the people about skin cancer and it is also one of the most preventable cancers. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives.
Early Detection of Melanoma and Other Skin CancersSummit Health
This lecture provides an overview of skin cancer including risks, early detection, and treatment. Learn to identify the early signs of skin cancer. Melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumors will be discussed and prevention of skin cancer will be emphasized.
Skin Cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells and most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
Purpose:
The purpose of this webinar is to spread awareness among the people about skin cancer and it is also one of the most preventable cancers. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives.
Maintaining and Restoring Your Youthful Experience | Keller Plastic Surgerydrkellersurgery
Maintaining our appearance is important. Having an appealing persona is valuable in a work environment or in our personal lives, no matter what our age. We feel better if we like our look.
As we mature, the structures of our face fall and we lose our facial volume. The end result is a "mad", "tired", or "sad" appearance. We are not projecting the happy persona that we really feel.
Our approach is not to simply "do a facelift", but to work at restoring the natural, beautiful or handsome persona that resides within each of us.
How To Correct and Prevent Sun Damaged SkinKenneth Dickie
Dr. Kenneth Dickie from Royal Centre of Plastic Surgery in Barrie, Ontario explained the basics of sun damage to skin, provided a quiz on "What Age is Your Skin" and discussed how to correct and prevent sun damage.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kenneth Dickie at http://royalcentreofplasticsurgery.com/
18th International Course in Modern Rhinoplasty Techniques & Symposium The Cleft Lip Patient and Revision surgery
26, 27 & 28 October 2011
http://www.rhinoplastycourse.nl/
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, promising self-driving cars, medical breakthroughs, and new ways of working. But how do you separate hype from reality? How can your company apply AI to solve real business problems?
Here’s what AI learnings your business should keep in mind for 2017.
An immersive workshop at General Assembly, SF. I typically teach this workshop at General Assembly, San Francisco. To see a list of my upcoming classes, visit https://generalassemb.ly/instructors/seth-familian/4813
I also teach this workshop as a private lunch-and-learn or half-day immersive session for corporate clients. To learn more about pricing and availability, please contact me at http://familian1.com
How to Become a Thought Leader in Your NicheLeslie Samuel
Are bloggers thought leaders? Here are some tips on how you can become one. Provide great value, put awesome content out there on a regular basis, and help others.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal or "ugly looking."
Thinking of "ABCD" can help you remember what to watch for:
Asymmetry - the shape of one half does not match the other
Border - the edges are ragged, blurred or irregular
Color - the color is uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan
Diameter - there is a change in size, usually an increase
Melanoma can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated early. If melanoma is not removed in its early stages, cancer cells may grow downward from the skin surface and invade healthy tissue. If it spreads to other parts of the body it can be difficult to control.
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin | management -all medical aspects.martinshaji
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Squamous cell carcinomas may appear as flat reddish or brownish patches in the skin, often with a rough, scaly, or crusted surface. They tend to grow slowly and usually occur on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands.
this is a detailed discussion on the topic
please comment
thank u
The diagnosis and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the U.S. increased by 77 percent between 1994 and 2014. ... Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 4.3 million cases of BCC are diagnosed in the U.S. each year resulting in more than 3,000 deaths.
Designed by Rachel Uttenburg/John NEwqusit
Soap Nota Assignment Please Follow the Rubrics.Family Medi.docxpbilly1
Soap Nota Assignment
Please Follow the Rubrics.
Family Medicine 16: 68-year-old male with skin lesion
User:
Beatriz Duque
Email:
[email protected]
Date:
September 14, 2020 3:00AM
Learning Objectives
The student should be able to:
Describe skin lesions with accuracy.
Define terms that describe the morphology, shape, and pattern of skin lesions.
Formulate the treatment principles of topical corticosteroid and local and systemic antifungal agents.
Apply the ABCDE criteria for the evaluation of hyperpigmented lesions as possible melanoma.
Describe common biopsy procedures, including shave biopsy, punch biopsy, and incisional and excisional biopsies.
Discuss the treatment modalities for squamous cell carcinoma.
Describe the importance and methods of prevention of skin cancers.
Develop initial workup and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Knowledge
Primary and Secondary Skin Lesions
Primary skin lesions
are uncomplicated lesions that represent initial pathologic change, uninfluenced by secondary alterations such as infection, trauma, or therapy.
Secondary skin lesions
are changes that occur as consequences of progression of the disease, scratching, or infection of the primary lesions.
Primary Skin Lesions
Macule:
A macule is a change in the color of the skin. It is flat, and if you were to close your eyes and run your fingers over the surface of a purely macular lesion, you could not detect it. It is less than 1 cm in diameter. Some authors use 5 mm for size criterion. Sometimes "macule" is used for flat lesion of any size.
Patch:
A patch is a macule greater than 1 cm in diameter.
Papule:
A papule is a solid raised lesion that has distinct borders and is less than 1 cm in diameter.
Plaque:
A plaque is a solid, raised, flat-topped lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter. It is analogous to the geological formation, the plateau.
Nodule
: A nodule is a raised solid lesion and may be in the epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous tissue.
Tumor:
A tumor is a solid mass of the skin or subcutaneous tissue; it is larger than a nodule.
Vesicle:
A vesicle is a raised lesion less than 1 cm in diameter and is filled with clear fluid.
Bulla:
A bulla is a circumscribed fluid filled lesion that is greater than 1 cm in diameter.
Pustule:
A pustule is a circumscribed elevated lesion that contains pus.
Wheal:
A wheal is an area of elevated edema in the upper epidermis.
Complete list of primary and secondary skin lesions with images
.
Skin Cancer Screening Recommendations
The annual skin cancer screening by full body skin examination by health care provider is an I recommendation by USPSTF. I recommendation means that current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of a primary care clinician performing a whole body skin examination or a patient doing a skin self-examination for the early detection of skin cancers.
However, the American Cancer Society recommends appropriate cancer screenin.
Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer most common in women 60 and older.
Women are more likely to develop vaginal cancer if they have the human papillomavirus (HPV) or if your birth mother took diethylstilbestol (DES) when she was pregnant.
There are several types of vaginal cancer:
Squamous cell carcinoma
About 70 of every 100 cases of vaginal cancer are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers begin in the squamous cells that make up the epithelial lining of the vagina. These cancers are more common in the upper area of the vagina near the cervix. Squamous cell cancers of the vagina often develop slowly. First, some of the normal cells of the vagina get pre-cancerous changes. Then some of the pre-cancer cells turn into cancer cells. This process can take many years.
The medical term most often used for this pre-cancerous condition is vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN). "Intraepithelial" means that the abnormal cells are only found in the surface layer of the vaginal skin (epithelium). There are 3 types of VAIN: VAIN1, VAIN2, and VAIN3, with 3 indicating furthest progression toward a true cancer. VAIN is more common in women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy) and in those who were previously treated for cervical cancer or pre-cancer.
In the past, the term dysplasia was used instead of VAIN. This term is used much less now. When talking about dysplasia, there is also a range of increasing progress toward cancer - first, mild dysplasia; next, moderate dysplasia; and then severe dysplasia.
Adenocarcinoma
Cancer that begins in gland cells is called adenocarcinoma. About 15 of every 100 cases of vaginal cancer are adenocarcinomas. The usual type of vaginal adenocarcinoma typically develops in women older than 50. One certain type, called clear cell adenocarcinoma, occurs more often in young women who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero (when they were in their mother’s womb). (See the section called "What are the risk factors for vaginal cancer?" for more information on DES and clear cell carcinoma.)
Melanoma
Melanomas develop from pigment-producing cells that give skin its color. These cancers usually are found on sun-exposed areas of the skin but can form on the vagina or other internal organs. About 9 of every 100 cases of vaginal cancer are melanomas. Melanoma tends to affect the lower or outer portion of the vagina. The tumors vary greatly in size, color, and growth pattern. More information about melanoma can be found in our document called Melanoma Skin Cancer.
Sarcoma
A sarcoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of bones, muscles, or connective tissue. Up to 4 of every 100 cases of vaginal cancer are sarcomas. These cancers form deep in the wall of the vagina, not on its surface. There are several types of vaginal sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of vaginal sarcoma. It is most often found in children and is rare in adults. A sarcoma called leiomyosarcoma is seen more often in adults.
To provide awareness about the harmful effects of UV rays, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month.
All You Need to Know About Melanoma/Skin CancerEPIC Health
It may not be possible to prevent the onset of skin cancer completely, but we can certainly mitigate the risk factors that are within our control. View these slides to know more
A Survey on Skin Cancer Detection SystemIJERA Editor
Skin cancers are the most common form of cancers found in humans. This is the most deadly form of cancer. Most of the skin cancers are curable at initial stages. So an early detection of skin cancer can save the patients. With the advancement of technology, early detection of skin cancer is possible. According to the literature, skin lesion structure is an important diagnostic parameter. In this paper, an introduction is given about different characteristics of the skin cancer and a brief review has been on types of skin cancer, skin cancer causes & symptoms. A survey has been given which carry out the analysis of skin cancer detection by different methods of the diagnosing methodology uses Image processing techniques. Finally, general method of skin cancer detection is presented with all possible image segmentation algorithms.
Overweight and obesity are both labels
for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally
considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges
of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain
diseases and other health problems.
Corneal injury describes an injury to the
cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue covering the front
of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.
Have you ever had
the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a
type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the
intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is
the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food
or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent
hand washing.
Symptoms of
gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever
and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.
The most common
problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink
enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration
is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak
immune systems.
Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time a person's ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised, and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior.
Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual's life, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.
Too often, addiction goes untreated: According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 23.2 million persons (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million (10.4 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility (i.e., hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center). Thus, 20.8 million persons (8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older) needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to those in previous years.
Addiction results when a person ingests a
substance (alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine, for example) or repeatedly takes part
in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable, but the continued use of
which becomes compulsive and interferes with everyday life.
Common addictions include:
-- Alcohol abuse
-- Drug abuse
-- Exercise abuse
-- Pornography
-- Gambling
Classic symptoms of addiction include
impaired control over substances/behavior, preoccupation with
substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Behavior
patterns and habits associated with addiction are commonly characterized by the
pursuit of immediate gratification, coupled with negative long-term effects.
Physiological dependence results when the
body is unable to function normally in the absence of the substance or
behavior. This state produces the conditions of tolerance and withdrawl.
Tolerance is the result of the body
requiring larger volumes of the substance or stimulus in order to achieve the
original effects.
Withdrawal is the physical and
psychological symptoms experienced when the body no longer receives the
substance in the same quantities it has become reliant upon.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying
warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures
often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards.
Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises. The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.
Maintaining a healthy office environment requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment (temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, and space), task design, psychological factors (personal interactions, work pace, job control) and sometimes, chemical or other environmental exposures.
A well-designed office allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures (correct ergonomic design). Sometimes, equipment or furniture changes are the best solution to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned. For example, studies have shown that those working at computers have less discomfort with short, hourly breaks.
Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness range from physical hazards (such as cords across walkways, leaving low drawers open, objects falling from overhead) to task-related (speed or repetition, duration, job control, etc.), environmental (chemical or biological sources) or design-related hazards (such as nonadjustable furniture or equipment). Job stress that results when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities or resources of the worker may also result in illness.
When quitting smoking many people feel the need
for help in the form of a tobacco substitute. There are a wide variety of
different products billed as alternatives to smoking that are supposedly healthier.
The main additive in cigarettes that makes them so addictive is
nicotine. Hence most of the products that aim to replace smoking are nicotine
replacements such as nicotine gum, inhalers, patches and medications.
Other products are sold as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and hookah or as better because they are low yield cigarettes. Not all of these smoking substitutes are
healthy or even better than cigarettes.
Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Cessation can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from smoking-related diseases. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated interventions, but effective treatments and helpful resources exist. Smokers can and do quit smoking. In fact, today there are more former smokers than current smokers.
Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems. Whatever strategies you choose, give them a fair trial. If one approach doesn't work, try something else. But if you haven't made progress in cutting down after 2 to 3 months, consider quitting drinking altogether, seeking professional help, or both.
Here are some strategies to try, and you can add your own at the end. Check off perhaps two or three to try in the next week or two. Then click List my choices, and you can print or email them to yourself.
-- Keep track -Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works for you, carry drinking tracker cards in your wallet, make check marks on a kitchen calendar, or enter notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal digital assistant. Making note of each drink before you drink it may help you slow down when needed.
-- Count and measure -Know the standard drink sizes so you can count your drinks accurately. Measure drinks at home. Away from home, it can be hard to keep track, especially with mixed drinks, and at times, you may be getting more alcohol than you think. With wine, you may need to ask the host or server not to "top off" a partially filled glass.
-- Set goals -Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you'll have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days when you don't drink. Drinkers with the lowest rates of alcohol use disorders stay within the low-risk limits.
-- Pace and space -When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have "drink spacers"—make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice.
-- Include food -Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat some food so the alcohol will be absorbed into your system more slowly.
-- Find alternatives -If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill free time by developing new, healthy activities, hobbies, and relationships, or renewing ones you've missed. If you have counted on alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations, manage moods, or cope with problems, then seek other, healthy ways to deal with those areas of your life.
-- Avoid "triggers." -What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink even when you don't want to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan something else to do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, keep little or no alcohol there.
-- Plan to handle urges -When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge hits, consider these options: Remind yourself of your reasons for changing (it can help to carry them in writing or store them in an electronic message you can access easily). Or talk things through with someone you trust. Or get involved with a healthy, distracting activity, such as physical exercise or a hobby that doesn't involve drinking. Or, instead of fighting the feeling, accept i
Don't give up
Changing habits such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. Setbacks are common, but you learn more each time. Each try brings you closer to your goal. Whatever course you choose, give it a fair trial.
If one approach doesn't work, try something else. If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible. In the long run, your chances for success are good.
Research shows that most heavy drinkers, even those with alcoholism, either cut back significantly or quit.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that people who have a history of alcoholism experience when they stop drinking. People who are casual drinkers rarely have withdrawal symptoms.
People who have gone through withdrawal before are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms each time they quit drinking.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from severe to mild, and can include:
-- Insomnia
-- Nightmares
-- Irritability
-- Fatigue
-- Shakes
-- Sweats
-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Headaches
-- Decreased appetite
Severe withdrawal symptoms include fever, convulsions and delirium tremens (DTs). Those who experience DTs may become confused, anxious and even have hallucinations. DTs can be very serious if they are not treated by a doctor.
Eat healthy
-- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
-- Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
-- Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight.
--
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test,
you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and
loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women
to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to
have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than
twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications
related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an
immunization.
The single most important way you can take
care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health
care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your
doctor. This site will help you get started.
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
Cancer screening is an essential part of preventative health screening for women of all ages. Here you can read about screening for breast and gynecological cancers.
Injury is the #1 killer of children and teens in the United States. In 2009, more than 9,000 youth age 0-19 died from unintentional injuries in the United States. Millions more children suffer injuries requiring treatment in the emergency department. Leading causes of child injury include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls.1 Child injury is predictable and preventable. It is also among the most under-recognized public health problems facing our country today.
Progress has been made in preventing child injury. Child injury death rates have decreased 29% in the last decade.2 Yet injury is still the leading cause of death for children and teens. More can be done to keep our children safe.
Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports
and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself. It works
on the whole person - not just a physical body, but also a psychological,
emotional and spiritual being.
Shiatsu originated in Japan from traditional
Chinese medicine, with influences from more recent Western therapies. Although
shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese, in practise a practitioner uses
touch, comfortable pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s
physical structure and balance its energy flow. It is a deeply relaxing
experience and regular treatments can alleviate stress and illness and maintain
health and well-being.
1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17
2. Overview
Each year, millions of people find out that they
have skin cancer. Skin cancer is almost 100%
curable if found early and treated right away. It is
possible to prevent some types of skin
cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell
carcinoma are sometimes called non-melanoma
skin cancer.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 1
3. Causes
Ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from the sun is the
main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV
radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths,
can also be dangerous.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 2
4. Causes
Where a person lives affects his or her risk of
developing skin cancer. People who live in areas
that get high levels of UV radiation from the sun
are more likely to get skin cancer. In the United
States, for example, skin cancer is more common in
Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not
as strong. Worldwide, the highest rates of skin
cancer are found in South Africa and Australia,
areas that receive high amounts of UV radiation.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 3
5. Causes
Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the
sun's damaging effects begin at an early age.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 4
6. Diagnosis
To check for cancer cells, biopsy tissue is examined
under a microscope. A biopsy is the only sure way
to find out if cancer is present.
Doctors generally divide skin cancer into two
stages:
-- Local. During this stage, the cancer affects only
the skin.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 5
7. Diagnosis
-- Metastatic. During this stage the cancer spreads
beyond the skin. Since non-melanoma skin cancer
rarely spreads, a biopsy is often the only test
needed to determine the stage. Knowing the stage
of a skin cancer helps the doctor plan the best
treatment.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 6
8. Diagnosis
In cases where a growth is very large or has been
present for a long time, the doctor will carefully
check the lymph nodes in the area through
surgery. Special x-rays can be done to find out
whether skin cancer has spread to other parts of
the body.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 7
9. Symptoms
Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found
mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the
sun: the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.
However, skin cancer can occur anywhere. Skin
cancers seldom cause pain.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 8
10. Symptoms
The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a
change on the skin, especially a new growth or a
sore that does not heal. Skin cancers do not all
look the same. For example, the cancer may start
as a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. It
could also appear as a firm red lump.
Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust.
Skin cancer can also start as a flat, red spot that is
rough, dry, or scaly.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 9
11. Treatment
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
are usually diagnosed and treated the same way.
Treatment for skin cancer usually involves some
type of surgery. In some cases, the doctor suggests
radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Sometimes a
combination of these is used, if the cancer is in an
advanced stage.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 10
12. Treatment
**Surgery**
Many skin cancers can be cut from the skin quickly
and easily. In fact, skin cancer can sometimes be
completely removed during a biopsy, with no
further treatment needed.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 11
13. Treatment
**Curettage & Electrodessication**
Doctors frequently use a type of surgery called
curettage to remove skin cancer. After numbing
the area, the cancer is scooped out with a
curette, an instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped
end.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 12
14. Treatment
**Curettage & Electrodessication**
The area is also treated by electrodessication. An
electric current from a special machine is used to
control bleeding and kill any cancer cells remaining
around the edge of the wound. Most patients
develop a flat, white scar.
**Mohs' Surgery**
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=17 13
15. Treatment
**Curettage & Electrodessication**
Mohs' technique is a special type of surgery used
for skin cancer. The patient is given anesthetic, and
the cancer is shaved off one layer at a time. For
Mohs’ surgery, each layer is checked under a
microscope until the entire tumor is removed. The
degree of scarring depends on the location and
size of the treated area.
**Cryosurgery**
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16. Treatment
**Curettage & Electrodessication**
Extreme cold can be used to treat precancerous
skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis. In
cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is applied to the
growth to freeze and kill the abnormal cells. After
the cryosurgery area thaws, the dead skin falls off.
More than one freezing may be needed.
Cryosurgery usually does not hurt, but patients
may have pain and swelling after the area thaws. A
white scar may form in the treated area.
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17. Treatment
**Laser Therapy**
Laser therapy uses a narrow beam of light to
remove or destroy cancer cells. This approach is
sometimes used for cancers that involve only the
outer layer of skin.
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18. Treatment
**Grafting**
Sometimes, especially when skin cancer is large, a
skin graft is needed to cover the area from where
the cancer was taken out. This procedure also
reduces scarring. For this procedure, the doctor
takes a piece of healthy skin from another part of
the body to replace skin that is removed.
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19. Treatment
**Radiation**
Skin cancer responds well to radiation therapy, also
called radiotherapy. Radiation uses high-energy
rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from
growing. Doctors often use radiation treatment for
cancers that occur in areas that are hard to treat
with surgery. For example, radiation
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20. Treatment
**Radiation**
therapy might be used for cancers of the eyelid, tip
of the nose, or ear. Several radiation treatments
may be needed to destroy all the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy may cause a rash or make the
skin dry or red. Changes in skin color and/or
texture may develop after the treatment is over
and may become more noticeable many years
later.
**Topical Chemotherapy**
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21. Treatment
**Radiation**
Topical chemotherapy is the use of anticancer
drugs in a cream or lotion applied to the skin.
Actinic keratosis can be treated effectively with
topical chemotherapy. Topical chemotherapy is
also useful for cancers limited to the top layer of
the skin. The lotion is applied daily for several
weeks. Intense inflammation is common during
treatment, but scars usually do not develop.
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22. Protection
Protection should start in childhood to prevent
skin cancer later in life. Whenever possible, people
should avoid exposure to the midday sun, from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Keep in mind that protective
clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can
block out the sun's harmful rays.
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23. Protection
Lotions that contain sunscreens protect the skin.
Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun
protection factor (SPF), which ranges between 2
and 30 or higher. Those rated 15-30 block most of
the sun's harmful rays.
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