FREE ESSAY ON SKIN CANCER

SKIN CANCER

Skin Cancer
About a million americans will develop skin cancer this year. Skin cancer is 
the most prevalent of all cancers, and it's increasingly on the rise. There are 
millions of tiny cells that make up the human body. There are different kinds of 
cells, but they all make new cells by a process that involves dividing in half. This 
is how old cells are replaced with strong new cells. When a cells divides and 
doesn't do the job that it was intended to do for the body, and then it continues 
to divide and makes more of these useless cells, and these cells continue to 
collect, it is called a tumor.
There are two types of tumors: benign and malignant. The cells in a benign 
tumor can crowd out healthy cells, even though they can not spread to other, 
and healthier, parts of the body (Ingraham 447). However, a malignant tumor is 
cancer. A malignant tumor can also crowd out  the healthy cells around it, but 
in addition to thatt it can spread to other parts of the body and take over the 
healthy cells in different areas of the body.
Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the outer layers of 
skin. The skin has two main layers and several kinds of cells. The top layer is the 
epidermis and it is the layer that is shed most frequently. The inner layer is 
called the dermis and is thicker and contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles 
and sweat glands (Seely Stephens Tate 145). 
Cancer spreads by a group of cells or a single cell that breaks away from the 
tumor and moves to other parts of the body. Once there, it'll divide and start 
tumors, made of malignant cells, like the ones that mad up the first tumor 
(Ingraham 447). When this happens it is called metastic cancer. Metastatic 
cancer is defined as the transfer of disease from one part of the body to another, 
as in certain types of cancer (Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary 408.) . With many 
cancers, the usual first step in prevention is that the affected body part is 
removed. However, since a persons skin cannot be removed, in its entirety, this 
presents more of a problem to physicians.
Skin cancer is somewhat curable when diagnosed and treated early. And, its 
somewhat preventable by avoiding sun and tanning bed exposure. Sunscreen is a 
simple, easy, and convenient artificial defense against skin cancer.
There are three main types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the least common, 
but most serious because this type is responsible for at least three fourths of the 
skin cancer deaths per year (Encarta encyclopedia, cdrom). The other types of 
skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell cancers. These two are referred to as 
non-melanoma skin cancers. Another rare type of skin cancer, known as 
Kaposi's sarcoma, is rarely seen (Barnes-Savarney, 177).
The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell skin cancer. However, 
Melonoma is the fastest growing type of cancer, affecting approximately 32,000 
americans in 1993 (Encarta Encyclopedi, cdrom). Melanoma is triggered by 
ultraviolet rays from the sun and is signaled by the growth or appearance of an 
irregular mole on the skin. The mole may be diagnosed based on its size, shape, 
color, or texture, or due to its tenderness or hardness.
Developing skin cancer is a two step process. It involves initiation and 
promotion of malignant growth. Since the ultraviolet rays harm the mechanism 
for repairing cell damage, one the repair system is impaired, cells become 
increasingly vulnerable to injury. Subsequent ultraviolet exposure make it worse, 
and can inititate malignancy. After ultraviolet exposure, the repair mechanism in 
the body, normally directs damaged cells to commit suicide. This is the 
explanation for why skin peels after sun tanning and sun burns. However, 
previously damaged cells with a malfunctioning repair system escape this process. 
Genetic damage accumulates as normal cells die and abnormal ones survive. 
It's been determined that skin does not have to be burned to be damaged, and 
such damage accumulates with chronic, everyday exposure (Encarta cdrom).
There are two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach the earth: ultraviolet A 
and ultraviolet B. Both contribute to skin damage, and skin cancer, since there 
are no safe ultraviolet rays. The SPF numbering system on sunscreens was 
devised as a guide to protect against sunburn, which is caused mostly by 
ultraviolet B rays. Since sunscreens allow one to stay out in the sun longer 
without burning, exposure to ultraviolet A rays is increased, and many 
sunscreens don't protect against these rays. While sunscreens protect against 
sunburn, they don't necessarily prevent cancer. If a person uses sunscreen to 
spend more time in the sun, the skin could collect about the same total exposure 
to damaging radiation. This is why most medical journals recommend staying 
outo of the sun at midday and wearing protective clothing and hats(Ladies Home 
Journal March 1999).
Skin cancer is more common in people with light colored skin who have spent 
alot of time in the sunlight (Seely Stephens Tate, 149). Skin cancer can occur 
anywhere on the body, but is usually found at places that have a longer exposure 
to sunlight such as the arms,face, and neck.
Skin cancer can look many different ways. The most common sign of skin 
cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won't heal. 
Sometimes there may be a small lump which can be smooth, shiny or waxy 
looking and can be red or reddish brown(Seely Stephens Tate 149) . Not all 
changes however, are skin cancer. But all changes in one's skin should be brought 
to the attention of a doctor for a medical evaluation.
Treatment involves removing the lesion. The goal is to remove or destroy the 
growth completely with as little damage as possible to healthy tissue. Types of 
surgery for skin cancer include cryosurgery, destruction of the area by freezing it, 
or laser surgery, curretage, and electrodessication, which uses a spoon-like blade 
to scoop out the growth. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. In skin 
cancer, chemotherapy is often given as a cream or lotion to place on the skin to 
kill the cancerous cells. 
Even after successful treatment, people continue to remain at risk of developing 
it again in the future. The most important thing that they can do is to protect 
their skin from ultraviolet ray exposure and making sunscreen, with a high SPF 
value, a life-long habit.
Bibliography
Ingraham Ingraham. 1995.Introduction to Microbiology. Wadsworth 
Publishing.California.447.
Seely, Stephens, Tate. 1998. Anatomy and Physiology 4th edition.Mcgraw-Hill 
company.145.447.
Funk & Wagnall.1984. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary.Donnelly & 
sons company.408.
Encarta Encyclopedia 98.1998. Encarta Encyclopedia 98. Microsoft. Cdrom Disc 
1.
Barnes-Savarney, P.1995.Science Desk Reference. Macmillian publishing. New 
York. 177
Ladies Home Journal.March 1999. Protecting your skin.33.