Skin cancer is basically malignant growth on the skin. The overwhelming culprit or cause of skin cancer is the sun. It is not just the sun, but rather the overexposure to the ultraviolet rays present in the sun's beams. Exposure to the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm are the most harmful. Another cause of cancer of the skin is an exposure to high levels of x-rays. X-rays are by their nature radioactive and therefore cause radiation which can impact negative on the skin. Exposure and contact with some types of minerals such as hydrocarbons in soot, tar and oils which can cause squamous cell carcinoma. Also exposure to some types of chemicals such as arsenic can is another cause of this malady. There are some occupations that have a high degree of exposure to arsenic such as farmers, miners and sheep shearers. Tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. This is quite popular with many people ignorant of its adverse effect. Even kids are exposing themselves to this high risk beauty enhancing treatment. Immunosuppression- this is the suppression of the immune system, which is our bodies means of protecting itself from harmful foreign matter like germs or substances that cause an allergic reaction. Our immune system can become suppressed due to some diseases like HIV or it can also be due to medications to combat or resist autoimmune diseases or prevent the rejection of an organ transplant. The body is now weakened to fight infections. Sun-beds cause the most damaging kind of cancer of the skin which is malignant melanoma. Also chronic wounds that refuse to heal such as burns is another cause of skin cancer White people are more susceptible to skin cancer than blacks or darker skinned people. The reason is that black people have very high levels of melanin in their skin which helps protect them from the sun's harmful rays. Also, albinos are susceptible to skin cancer because they are deficient in melanin which is the primary cause of their condition. Since the primary or overwhelming cause of skin cancer is the sun, it is only wise therefore to reduce our exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Is Your Life Threatened With Cancer? You are about to discover the Most Potent, Non-Toxic, Alternative Cancer Treatments that 94% Of Doctors don't even know exist and that Greedy Drug Companies keep Hushed Up to protect their profits. Click Here Now [http://www.secretcancercures.info] To Win The Fight Today! Guaranteed! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ariyo_Akinlosotu/87516 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3337515

Melanoma (meaning black tumor) is not only the most malignant of all skin cancers, but it is also among the most malignant of all cancers. It can spread to nearly every organ and tissue in the body and can lead to death within a year after it recurs in distant sites. According to the American Cancer Society, the most recent estimates show that America alone has over 68,000 new cases of melanoma every year, and more than 8,500 deaths annually directly attributable to this type of skin cancer. The lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 1 in 50 for whites, 1 in 1000 for blacks, and 1 in 200 for Hispanics. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes located in the epidermis. These melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that colors the skin, and protects it from harmful ultra-violet rays. The majority of melanomas are brown or black. However, some are in the same color as the skin, or pink, red, purple, blue, or white. The usual sites of melanoma in white people include the head, neck, trunk, and limbs. In the black people, there is a good likelihood to show up on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucous membranes. These tumors can also show up in somewhat unusual locations, such as under the nail of a finger or toe and on the mucosa lining inside of the mouth, vagina, or anus. There are two phases of growth of melanoma - radially (outwardly on the surface of the skin) and vertically (deeply into the layers of the skin). Once the melanoma has penetrated deeply into the dermis of the skin, and has reached the lymphatic and blood vessels, the melanoma can utilize the lymphatics and bloodstream to spread to distant locations, most commonly to the lungs, liver, and brain. It is said to metastasize. For patients with a melanoma less than 1mm thick, the likelihood of death due to the disease is only about 10%. However, this would rise to about 30% for a tumor with a thickness of 3mm. Though we come across melanoma as a deadly skin cancer, there is a lot of hope for a 100 percent cure if it is detected and treated early. As a matter of fact, more than 90% of patients are alive for five years or more following their first diagnosis of melanoma. Read more... At Health Mission, we pride our work in delivering the latest research and information on health and beauty. In this case, it is on skin diseases and cures. Our mission is to add value by providing original, quality, and truthful information to the audience. www.WhatDoesMelanomaLookLike.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jun_Walker/459489 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3339835

Despite much publicity regarding the dangers of UV radiation, many people still don't protect their skin while sunbathing. It's still often considered that a nice even suntan is healthier than pale or white skin. Unfortunately, for many of us, this is not true. You may also think that getting a tan using a solarium or tanning bed are healthy, but these also emit UVR, and carry the same risks as being out in the sun. Here are some precautions you can take to help protect yourself from Ultra Violet Radiation: Stay in the shade as much as possible Cover up arms and legs Use sunglasses that wrap around Wear a broad-brimmed hat Use a good water resistant sunscreen, at least SPF30 While sunscreen is good, it should not be considered to be complete protection. The only complete protection is to stay out of the sun altogether, but this is not possible for most of us. We need a small amount of sunlight to provide vitamin D, although this can be obtained in only a few minutes in Summer. When going outside to hang the washing, use sunscreen and a hat. When gardening, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a broad brimmed hat, and don't forget the sunscreen. Refresh your sunscreen at least every two hours. A waterproof type is best. Make sure your children are protected at all times; childrens' skin is delicate and easily damaged. It's thought that getting sunburnt can add several years to the age of your skin, so think of the future. You could end up looking much older than your actual age. Pets are often forgotten when it comes to skin protection. Dogs, cats, and other animals can also suffer from sunburn and skin cancer on their noses and ears. It is just as dangerous to them as it is to us, so don't forget to take care of them. If you'd like to know more about the dangers of skin cancer, your government health site may have information available. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Jean DAndrea has eclectic interests, and you may find other articles of interest on her website. She also has a website on Green Gardening [http://www.jeandandrea.com]. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jean_DAndrea/415128 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3329943

Cancer experts warn that it is never too early to start thinking about cancer prevention. Since skin cancer is the most common form, with over 1 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, it's a good idea for everyone to begin taking actions to prevent skin cancer as early as possible. While most cases affect people over the age of 40, there are certain types that afflict young people at higher rates. Plus, it is never too early to begin taking preventative measures. So, what types of things can we do now to prevent skin cancer? 1. First of all, ask any doctor, and she'll say that smoking tobacco is the worst possible thing you can do not only for your skin, but for your health in general. Studies show that people who smoke are twice as likely to get cancer at some point in their lives, and this risk only gets worse when combined with other skin cancer-causing factors. So, if you want to prevent skin cancer, do yourself a favor and get rid of those cigarettes. 2. Many cases of skin cancer can be traced to damage to skin cell DNA caused by overexposure to the sun's harmful UV rays. You can help this situation in two ways: First, stay out of the sun as much as possible during the hours when it is most acute. Second, don't hesitate to slather on the sunscreen any time you think you're going to be out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Also, remember that UV rays have nothing to do with temperature. They don't care what season it is. So don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because it's winter you're at lower risk. To prevent skin cancer, use sunscreen in all seasons. 3. Alert your doctor to anything unusual that is happening with your skin. Even if you feel completely certain that it's not cancerous, show your doctor any cuts, burns, moles, or rashes that don't heal after a long time or are unusually irritated or itchy. After all, that's what doctors are for, and it can't hurt. Rodney Ian is a web entrepreneur, writer, and contributing editor of the Meds Available website. To read health articles on a variety of subjects by Rodney and others, visit http://medsavailable.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rodney_Ian/423753 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3358965

Neva noticed a quarter inch mole on her thigh and after a visit to her doctor was told that it was melanoma. The doctor suggested surgery and chemotherapy, but Neva opted for a wheatgrass juice therapy instead. Even though the mole was only a quarter of an inch in size, the doctor wanted to cut out an area 3-5 times that. This would have meant removing some muscle and also some lymph nodes. He than planned a skin graft to cover the area followed by a full chemotherapy and radiation program. This sounded far too drastic, so Neva opted to just have the quarter inch mole removed. She got a kinesiologist to check out which grasses would be suitable for her and ended up growing barley grass and kamut. When she didn't have any fresh grass available she took powdered grass. She also added a few herbs to the therapy. Neva took 8 ounces of wheatgrass daily; all in one go on an empty stomach. Even though her husband was healthy, he also drank 8 ounces of wheatgrass a day. Even though that amount of wheatgrass juice in one go would sometimes cause nausea and dizziness, she felt it was worth it, as she assumed it was the liver dumping its toxins. After a while both Neva and her husband both noticed that they had softer hair and skin. Neither of them could figure out anything that could have caused this, apart from the wheatgrass juice. A year and a half later Neva went back to her doctor. He completely dismissed her wheatgrass therapy and said that the mole removal is probably what saved her life. So much for the dismissive attitude of modern medicine! Pea Neng has an avid interest in health and alternative healing. If you want to lose weight fast [http://weightmanagementprograms.net/lose-weight-fast.html] or find out about which lose weight program [http://weightmanagementprograms.net/lose-weight-program.html] is right for you, then he has some great articles to browse. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Pea_Neng/485171 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3337708

One of the most common forms of cancer nowadays is skin cancer, or more accurately, the three cancers associated with the skin since there are 3 major types of this cancer.

The most commonly seen and least harmful is what is known as a rodent ulcer ( or basal cell carcinoma). Then we see a skin cancer named Squamous cell carcinoma. Last but not least we come to what I would have to say is the most recognized type of skin cancer referred to as malignant melanoma. This third form is the most lethal but mercifully also the rarest sort of skin cancer.

Despite the fact that malignant melanoma is rare, considering that it is the most hazardous, it is worthwhile having a brief look at precisely what it is. This particular kind of cancer is responsible for approximately 1% of cancers and is a tumor in the cells which create melanin and which are known as melancytes. Melanin is the pigment which produces your sun tan and which gives your skin the color it has usually. It is additionally the agent that accounts for the color of your hair and eyes which means that malignant melanoma can also affect the eyes and not just the skin.

It is comforting to discover that for now at least skin melanomas are very rare in children but, because 50 % of all the sun exposure which the skin receives occurs before the age of 18 and, considering the time it needs to grow, it is critical to prevent your kids from getting too much sun.

Because of rising pollution, the diminishing ozone layer and additional knowledge about what UV rays can actually do, there is a growing acknowledgment that exposure to the sun can be extremely bad for us and that we really need to safeguard ourselves from these UV rays. It is clear that it is the sun that is leading to these problems since the number of individuals with skin cancer varies based on country. For example, tropical countries with a large Caucasian population show the highest occurrence of skin cancer. Countries like South Africa and Australia, together with the southern American states, with lots of sunshine and Caucasian populations display skin cancer incidences that are directly proportionate with the amount of sunlight and the size of the Caucasian population.

Deeper skin types like those found in individuals with an Asian or African American background receive more protection against the sunlight on account of their darker skin coloring.

UV light is part of sunlight and it is that element that causes the problem. UV light comes in different forms although they are all basically harmful for light skin and especially for babies and children who are very much at risk because their skin is thinner than adults.

Over the past 40 years the instances of skin cancer have doubled every 10 years. This fits with the arrival of cheap vacations to sunnier parts of the world and now that such vacations are so widely available and sunbathing has become such a popular past time, cases are going to continue this rise unless individuals start to take the appropriate safeguards to prevent getting burnt by UV rays from the sun.

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Knowing how to prepare for skin cancer surgery, from biopsies and surgery to chemotherapy and radiation treatments, may be instrumental in minimising the time it takes to heal.

Being prepared both physically and mentally for skin treatments can reduce hindrances and recurrences, and possibly amend your chances for survival.

How to Prepare Yourself for a Skin Treatment

The first thing you should do is inform your doctor before a biopsy of any condition that may modify the results, like pregnancy or presence of anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone. Taking aspirin too can alter a test result, as it can thin the blood of your body.

The next thing is starting an exercise plan before beginning any skin treatment for cancer. By improving your strength and endurance skills, you can easily increase the chances of a quicker recovery, as well as fewer complications involved in it. It has been proved that walking is beneficial.

You must consult your doctor whether or not to take large doses of vitamin C during your exercise regimen. Vitamin C can beef up your blood vessels and can add to general skin health. Besides this, many people feel that vitamin C may speed up the healing process as well. Request a vitamin C drip in your IV during surgery, which can be very useful.

By reducing the pre-treatment stress by doing deep-breathing exercises is also helpful in making you feel relaxed.

You must opt for an herbal cleanse in order to prepare yourself for a skin cancer surgery. There are many people who feel that a colon or parasites cleanse can help in reducing the harmful bacteria from your body, which can otherwise cause infections during treatment.

It is useful to consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine; however, some may interact with prescription medication.

You should follow up with your healthcare team after the treatments and should let them know which preparations benefited you the most, so that they can share the information with other patients as well.

Talk to various experts and learn from them what will benefit you the most and what to avoid. Besides this, you can also talk to people who have already undergone this surgery.

Not just this, friends, colleagues or neighbours who have gone through this treatment will let you know about the treatment in the best way.

Apart from this, who can ignore internet sites that let you know each and everything? Check various testimonials and talk to people online who have undergone the surgery or know people who have undergone the same.

Preparing yourself mentally is the most important thing before undergoing the skin treatment. Though it will take a lot of time and guts in order to prepare your mind, but once you are able to control your mind, no fear can ever stop you from anything.

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