Skin cancer is caused by DNA damage from UV radiation exposure. The main types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Risk factors include fair skin, sun exposure, suppressed immunity and family history. Diagnosis involves examining moles for the ABCDE signs of change. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and photodynamic therapy. Prevention focuses on sun protection like sunscreen, clothing, hats and avoiding tanning to reduce UV exposure and skin damage.

1. Skin Cancer
Bioethics and Biosafety

2. What is skin cancer?
• Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells.
• Occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often
caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds)
triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to
multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

3. Actinic Keratosis
• Actinic keratoses (AK), also called solar
keratoses
• Scaly, crusty growths caused by damage
from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Appear on sun-exposed areas such as
the face, scalp, lips, and the back of the
hands.
• Become red, but some will be tan, pink,
and/or flesh-toned.
• Second most common form of skin
cancer

4. ATYPICAL MOLES
• Are unusual-looking noncancerous
moles, also known as dysplastic nevi.
• People who have them are at
increased risk of developing
melanoma in a mole or elsewhere on
the body.
• Heredity appears to play a part in the
formation of atypical moles. They tend
to run in families.

5. Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) also known
as basalioma or basal cell cancer.
• Most common skin cancer in the US.
• While BCC has a very low metastatic risk, this
tumor can cause significant disfigurement by
invading surrounding tissues

6. Melanoma
• Most dangerous form of skin cancer.
• Cancerous growths develop when
unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells
most often caused by ultraviolet
radiation from sunshine or tanning
beds.
• Lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly
and form malignant tumors

7. Merkel cell carcinoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare disease
in which malignant cells form in the skin.
• Sun exposure and having a weak immune
system can affect the risk of Merkel cell
carcinoma.
• Merkel cell carcinoma usually appears as a
single painless lump on sun-exposed skin.
• Tests and procedures that examine the skin
are used to detect (find) and diagnose
Merkel cell carcinoma

8. Squamous cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an
uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
• SCCs often look like scaly red patches,
open sores, elevated growths with a
central depression, they may bleed.

9. Common risk factors
• Ultraviolet light exposure, either from the sun or from tanning beds.
• Fair-skinned individuals, with hazel or blue eyes, and people with
blond or red hair are particularly vulnerable.
• The problem is worse in areas of high elevation or near the equator
where sunlight exposure is more intense.
• A chronically suppressed immune system from underlying diseases
such as HIV/AIDS infection or cancer.

10. • Exposure to ionizing radiation (X-rays) or chemicals known to
predispose to cancer such as arsenic.
• Certain types of sexually acquired wart virus infections.
• People who have a history of one skin cancer have a 20%
chance of developing a second skin cancer in the next two
years.
• Elderly patients have more skin cancers.

11. Diagnosis of skin cancer
Diagnosis of skin cancer

12. People who have had cancer often talk about experiencing three
feelings:
• Loss of control,
• Unwanted aloneness
• Loss of hope.

13. The American Academy of Dermatology and the
American Cancer Society recommend that individuals
perform monthly self-examinations.
• It is important to keep the ABCDE's
• (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) of
skin cancer in mind.

14. One half is unlike the other half.
Irregularity – edges are ragged or blurred

15. Varies from one area to another
Usually > 6mm when
diagnosed, but can be smaller

16. A mole or skin lesion that looks different
from the rest or is changing in size, shape
or color.
If you notice anything on your skin changing,
itching or bleeding,
see a board-certified dermatologist.

17. Stages of skin cancer:
• Stage I: The disease is localized to a primary tumor site. The majority of
diagnoses are during this stage.
• Stage II: The disease is more developed, but remains localized to the
original site.
• Stage III: The disease has spread regionally; doctors often examine the
number and location of invaded lymph nodes.
• Stage IV: The melanoma has spread to distant organs.

18. New research:
• 1 in 5 person dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every hour.

19. • Skin cancer can occur anywhere
on the body, even places where the
sun doesn’t shine, such as the
soles of the feet, or in the nose or
mouth.
In fact, in people of color
30 to 40% of melanomas are
diagnosed on the bottom of the
foot.

20. • When detected early and treated
properly, skin cancer is highly
curable.

21. Radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy involves using low doses of radiation to
destroy the cancer.
• The level of radiation involved is perfectly safe.
• However, your skin may feel sore for a few weeks after
radiotherapy.

22. Conti..
Radiotherapy is sometimes used to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas if:
• surgery would be unsuitable
• the cancer covers a large area
• the area is difficult to operate on

23. Imiquimod cream
• Imiquimod cream is a treatment for basal cell
carcinoma with a diameter of less than 2cm
(0.8 inches).
• Wash the cream off and contact your GP if
your skin blisters or you develop ulcers after
using it.

24. Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is
used to treat basal cell carcinoma,
Bowen's disease and actinic
keratoses.
• It involves using a cream which
makes the skin highly sensitive to
light.

25. cont…
• After the cream has been
applied, a strong light source
is shone onto the affected area
of your skin, which kills the
cancer.
• PDT may cause a burning
sensation and around 2% of
people who have this
treatment will be left with
some superficial scarring

26. Cryotherapy
• Cryotherapy uses cold
treatment to destroy the
cancer.
• It is sometimes used for
non-melanoma skin cancers
in their early stages.

27. Cont..
• Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the
cancer, and this causes the area to scab
over.
• After about a month, the scab
containing the cancer will fall off your
skin.
• Cryotherapy may leave a small white
scar on your skin

28. Surgical excision
• Surgical excision is an operation to
cut out the cancer along with
surrounding healthy tissue to ensure
the cancer is completely removed.
• It may be done in combination with a
skin graft, if it's likely to leave
significant scarring.

29. Cont..
• A skin graft involves removing a
patch of healthy skin, usually from
a part of your body where any
scarring cannot be seen, such as
your back. It is then connected, or
grafted, to the affected area.
• In many cases, this operation is
enough to cure skin cancer.

31. Preventions
The most important way to prevent skin cancer is to
protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun's
rays
Sun and skin damage
There are two main types of damaging ultraviolet (UV) sunlight:
• UVA
UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging the middle layer (the dermis). UVA
rays therefore have the effect of ageing the skin and causing wrinkles.
• UVB
UVB rays are absorbed by the top layer of skin (the epidermis). This causes sun tanning but
also burning

32. Do Not Burn or Tan
• Avoid intentional tanning.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes
skin cancer and wrinkling
Wear Protective Clothing
• Long-sleeved shirt and pants.
• A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Generously Apply Sunscreen
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with Sun Protection
Factor
• Apply 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply
every two hours.

33. •Protect your child’s eyes by using
plastic lens sunglasses
•Children should have arms and legs
covered when out in the sun.
•They should wear hats which
provides more sun protection.
•When children are playing in the
water, make sure to use waterproof
sunscreen
Protect your childrens

34. Spot Check Your Moles
Examine your moles and freckles every
month to check for any changes. See your
health care provider immediately if you
notice:
•a mole or discoloration that appears suddenly
or begins to change
•a sore that does not heal
areas of skin that are red and bumpy, bleed or
are itchy

35. Protect your Eyes
Radiation from the sun can damage
cells in the structures of your eyes.
UV radiation from the sun may
increase the risk of developing
cataracts later in life. UV radiation
can also contribute to the
development of skin cancer on the
eyelid or on the surface of the eye.

36. Case Study 1
A Victorian County Court judge ruled that Eric
Reeder’s skin cancer was serious and dangerous
enough for him to sue his employer of 35 years.
Mr. Reeder, a retired truck driver, had
developed multiple skin cancers on his back,
neck and shoulders, and had multiple malignant
melanomas removed from his back. Mr. Reeder
settled out of court with his employer, and died
in 2007. His case has established a precedent in
recognizing UV radiation as a workplace
hazard.

37. Case Study 2
Basal Cell Carcinoma is a type
of skin cancer which can be
caused by UV exposure from
the Sun as well as tanning
beds. This particular post
looks at a true case study of
one women's fight against
Basal Cell Carcinoma.

38. Conclusion
The best cure for skin cancer remains early
detection, prompt treatment, and follow-up
preventive care measures. Recognize
warning signs of a disease through regular
skin self-examination. Even more
important, however, is to protect yourself
from the sun's rays. By avoiding the peak
hours of ultraviolet radiation, and by
wearing sunscreen and protective clothing,
you can keep skin cancer from happening
to you.