SKIN CANCERSkin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It is
normal for your body to replace old cells with new ones. Sometimes skin
cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed and skin cancer
occurs.
normal for your body to replace old cells with new ones. Sometimes skin
cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed and skin cancer
occurs.
Risk Factors
Anyone, including people with dark skin, hair and eyes, can develop
skin cancer, not just those at higher risk. You are at higher risk if you
have:
• Spent a lot of time in the sun
• Family members with skin cancer
• Certain types or a large number of moles
• Skin that burns or freckles in the sun
• Light-colored skin, hair and eyes
Prevention
• Avoid being in the sun from 10 AM to 4 PM.
• Wear clothing such as a hat, long sleeves and pants to block the sun’s
rays.
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
year round when you are going outside.
• Learn to know what skin cancer looks like.
• Check your skin monthly. Report any changes to your doctor.
• If you are at risk, see a doctor who specializes in the skin called a
dermatologist each year for a skin exam.
There are 3 major types of skin cancer:
• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common. This
cancer grows in the basal cells in the lowest layer of the skin. This
type grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but
early treatment is needed. This type appears on skin exposed to the
sun such as the face, ears, scalp and upper body. Look for:
Shiny or pearly bumps or growths
A sore that heals and then re-opens
A pink, slightly raised growth
Red, irritated patches of skin
A waxy scar
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): This cancer grows in the
squamous cells in the upper layer of the skin. This type can be found
anywhere including the inside of the mouth and the genital area. Get
early treatment to prevent the spread of this cancer. Look for a crusty
or scaly patch of skin often with a red base.
• Melanoma: This type begins in the skin cells that give skin its color.
Melanoma can spread quickly to other tissues and organs. The cure
rate is high with early treatment. Look for changes in moles or new
moles where:
One half of the mole does not match the other half.
The edges of the mole are uneven or ragged.
The color is uneven with more than one shade or color present.
The size is larger than a pencil eraser or there is any change in
size.
There are changes in the way it feels. It may itch, feel dry, lumpy,
swollen or tender.
Your Care
Treatment involves removing the tissue suspected of being skin cancer
from the skin. This is done in the doctor’s office or in the hospital. The
tissue is sent to a lab to check for cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.
Often, no further treatment is needed. Skin cancer may also be treated
with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
INFO www.healthinfotranslations.org
Anyone, including people with dark skin, hair and eyes, can develop
skin cancer, not just those at higher risk. You are at higher risk if you
have:
• Spent a lot of time in the sun
• Family members with skin cancer
• Certain types or a large number of moles
• Skin that burns or freckles in the sun
• Light-colored skin, hair and eyes
Prevention
• Avoid being in the sun from 10 AM to 4 PM.
• Wear clothing such as a hat, long sleeves and pants to block the sun’s
rays.
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
year round when you are going outside.
• Learn to know what skin cancer looks like.
• Check your skin monthly. Report any changes to your doctor.
• If you are at risk, see a doctor who specializes in the skin called a
dermatologist each year for a skin exam.
There are 3 major types of skin cancer:
• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common. This
cancer grows in the basal cells in the lowest layer of the skin. This
type grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but
early treatment is needed. This type appears on skin exposed to the
sun such as the face, ears, scalp and upper body. Look for:
Shiny or pearly bumps or growths
A sore that heals and then re-opens
A pink, slightly raised growth
Red, irritated patches of skin
A waxy scar
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): This cancer grows in the
squamous cells in the upper layer of the skin. This type can be found
anywhere including the inside of the mouth and the genital area. Get
early treatment to prevent the spread of this cancer. Look for a crusty
or scaly patch of skin often with a red base.
• Melanoma: This type begins in the skin cells that give skin its color.
Melanoma can spread quickly to other tissues and organs. The cure
rate is high with early treatment. Look for changes in moles or new
moles where:
One half of the mole does not match the other half.
The edges of the mole are uneven or ragged.
The color is uneven with more than one shade or color present.
The size is larger than a pencil eraser or there is any change in
size.
There are changes in the way it feels. It may itch, feel dry, lumpy,
swollen or tender.
Your Care
Treatment involves removing the tissue suspected of being skin cancer
from the skin. This is done in the doctor’s office or in the hospital. The
tissue is sent to a lab to check for cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.
Often, no further treatment is needed. Skin cancer may also be treated
with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
INFO www.healthinfotranslations.org
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thank You For Comment...