Skin Cancer - Screening and Prompt Treatment Can Save Your Life

Skin cancer or melanoma is a serious and potentially fatal condition if ignored or left untreated. This type of cancer is common among people belonging to the Anglo Saxon background and statistics has revealed that the highest incidence of melanoma has been noted in the Australian population.

Regular screening tests for the early detection of this cancer is very important as it can be of tremendous help during treatment achieving an almost complete cure. But if left untreated, skin cancer can be fatal.

Screening tests - Am I at risk of developing melanoma?

Skin cancer affects people of all age groups and some people are at higher risk for developing this cancer like those belonging to certain ethnic groups like Anglo Saxon and Anglo Celtic, people with fairer complexion or with prior sunburn episodes. People who work out in the sun or play summer sports are also at increased risk.

It is important to get a screening test conducted at a clinic or hospital which has experienced doctors who have undergone extensive training in the detection and treatment of skin cancers. The doctor will first perform an extensive physical examination along with a detailed history.

Advanced screening equipment called the MoleMax HD system is used to analyze any suspicious moles on the patient's body. Dermoscopy images are also captured if any mole looks suspicious and biopsies are carried out and sent for pathology studies to rule out skin cancer. A full body mapping is done using this latest technology so that no mole or suspicious area of the skin is missed.

This test is conducted primarily for medium and high-risk patients and the highest quality of standards are maintained to ensure minimal detection error. Apart from moles, skin lesions like lumps and bumps on the skin are also examined thoroughly. Keratoses or sun spots are also commonly seen in Australians who belong to the Anglo Celtic ethnic group and if left untreated, these spots are at risk of developing into squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.

Treatment options:

If any mole or patch on the skin is found to be positive for melanoma, then the patient has to report back to the doctor. The most common therapeutic method involved is excision of the mole which has given a positive result for skin cancer in the pathology studies. Solar keratoses are treated using different methods like cryotherapy, topical therapy, photodynamic or curettage and cautery therapy.

What are the different types of skin cancer?

There are basically 3 different types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and is usually found in the upper body and face. These are raised bumps which are pearl-like in appearance which if detected early can be easily treated with a topical cream.

Squamous cell carcinoma appears mainly on the sun-exposed areas and appears flaky, red and raised nodules which often tend to bleed. This type of cancer can spread to other organs easily. Smoking is another causative factor for this type of cancer.

Melanoma is rarer but more fatal with a hereditary pattern. These appear as moles which grow in size or change shape, color or texture fast. Surgical excision is required to remove these followed by therapy for a complete cure if detected early.

Cancer Risks From Tanning

Tanning can increase the risk of skin cancer and with our fast paced lifestyles we can sometimes not think about the ill effects of convenience. Tanning beds are made from plutonium, some types of radium and UV rays that mimic the sun. Excessive tanning also breaks down DNA in the skin cells, dries it out, reduces elasticity and makes the skin look like leather. Women who use a tanning bed twice a month or more are seventy five percent more likely to develop a malignant melanoma.

There was a time when tanning beds were thought to be a safe alternative to natural tanning. This is no longer the case. A report from the National Cancer Institute shows over one million people are diagnosed with Melanoma in the United States every year. Americans over the age of sixty five are twice as likely to have melanoma as people who are younger.

Individuals who expose themselves to artificial and ultraviolet rays on a long term basis greatly increase the risk of getting skin cancer. Why risk your health or spend your money on tanning methods that can adversely affect your health. Even if you don't use a tanning bed more than once a month you will be exposed to harsh chemicals and toxic residues that are used to clean the tanning bed. These solutions can cause rashes, allergic reactions, itching and skin irritations.

If the tanning bed isn't cleaned properly, patrons run the risk of catching an infection from bacterial buildup. To avoid this problem many women have turned to tanning lotions and sprays. These are not always safe either as they contain chemicals which can block the pores of the skin and cause irritation.

The best way to avoid skin cancer is to limit your time in the sun, wear clothing that will block out harmful rays, avoid tanning beds and keep your skin moisturized. If you notice any lumps, skin sore that won't heal, bumps under your skin, or a mole that has changed color, size or shape seek medical attention immediately.

Your health care professional will examine your skin, take x-rays and do a biopsy of the area if needed. These tests will help the doctor determine if you have a melanoma or a benign tumor. Fortunately skin cancer is one of the easier cancers to remove and cure. Most patients make a full recovery without any further complications.

Discover up to date health tips and advice, learn to live a healthy, active and exciing lifestyle. Health Tips For Women will help you to realize your true potential without the negative aspects of being given half truths and poor quality health information. Go to Health Tips For Women and find health, beauty, travel and diet information that you can depend on!

Foods That Help Prevent Skin Cancer

When it comes to food, research says that external antioxidants in your body, it will prevent the free radical damage related to cancer development. Food having antiangiogenic substances also prevents cancer cells to grow in the body. Let's list out some food that you should add to your diet.

Shellfish and naturally fatty fish:

This will provide Omega-3s. Have this at least once in a week. Omega-3 fatty acid prevents growth of skin cancer and reduces inflammation. Shellfish have also Zinc in it.

Tea:

Working group mostly like coffee to tea, but it is suggested to have a cup of green or red tea that contains polyphenol antioxidants. This property in tea helps restrict protein required for skin cancer development.

Foods rich in antioxidant:

You don't have to hang a list of these foods probably, but you have to make sure that you buy them every time you go to the super market. The list is not a comprehensive one. You consume some of them on a daily basis.

Get some vegetables like, Carrot, spinach, sweet potato, tomato, leafy vegetables, broccoli, etc.

Get some fruits like, apricot, mango, grape fruit, orange, lemon, straw berry, rasp berry, water melon, guava, etc.

Get some nuts and seeds like, almond, Brazil nut, sunflower seeds, soybean, etc.

However, you can Google now to get a list of foods that contain Beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, zinc, Vitamin A, C, D, and E. The best thing to do is avoid, risk factors like, exposure to sun, working outdoors, extreme sun bath, etc. Though you have some nutrients available through supplements, it is more effective through foods. Taking antioxidants not only helps prevent cancer, it also has a beneficial effect on other diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, etc. Generally, we consider legumes, beef, lamb etc. as source of zinc, but now zinc is available in some rice varieties like DRR Dhan 45. If you like to have rice consider buying them even, you can have fortified rice having zinc content.