What is Skin Cancer?

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a cancer of the cells in the outermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. The epidermis itself has three layers: an upper and middle layer made up of squamous cells, and a bottom layer made up of melanocytes and basal cells. Different types of skin cancer affect each of these types of cells, including the following most common forms:

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for 75% to 80% of cases. Upwards of one million people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year in the United States. It was once found mostly in middle-aged or older people but now it is also being seen at younger ages. Basal cell carcinoma usually begins on areas exposed to the sun such as the head and neck. It is a slow-growing cancer that rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but people with a history of BCC are at higher risk for getting a second BCC. If basal cell carcinoma is not treated, it can damage the surrounding tissue, including bone. Treatments are very effective, however, if the tumor is detected while it is small and thin.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 16% to 20% of skin cancer cases and occurs twice as often in men than in women. Approximately 200,000 to 300,000 people are diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma each year in the United States, and about 2,500 die from the disease. It usually appears on the face, ear, neck, lips, and backs of the hands. SCC can also begin within scars or skin ulcers on other places on the body. As with basal cell carcinoma, the available treatments are very effective if the tumor is detected while it is small and thin.

Melanoma

Melanoma affects cells called melanocytes, which produce the skin's color. Melanoma can appear in an area no different from surrounding skin, or it can develop from or near a mole. It is found most frequently on the backs of both men and women or on the legs of women, but melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, including the head and neck, soles of the feet, fingernails, and other areas not exposed to the sun. Melanoma is much more dangerous than the other types of skin cancer: 62,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States in 2008 and over 8,400 will die from the disease. Unfortunately, it is increasing at a faster rate than for any other cancer, with the exception of lung cancer in women. In the United States, the incidence of malignant melanoma from 1973 to 2002 increased by 270%. Melanoma is treatable in its early stages, but survival drops precipitously when it metastasizes to distant lymph nodes or organs.

What Causes Skin Cancer?

Besides lung cancer, skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. This is due to the fact that the major risk factor is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The sun is, of course, the main source of UV radiation, but it can also come from tanning booths. The amount of UV exposure depends on the strength of the light, how long the skin was exposed, and whether the skin was covered with clothing or sunscreen. Many studies also show that being sunburned at a young age increases the likelihood of skin cancer even decades later.

The other major risk factor is fair skin. Skin cancer is much more common in Caucasians than in African-Americans, for example. This is because the pigment, called melanin, offers some protection from UV radiation and people with dark skin have more melanin. People with fair skin that freckles or burns easily are at especially high risk. However, remember that people of all races and skin colors can get skin cancer.

Other causes of skin cancer include:

• long-term exposure to chemicals such as arsenic, tar and oil
• radiation from other cancer treatments
• previous history of skin cancer
• family history of skin cancer
• scars from burns or previous skin infections
• certain treatments for psoriasis involving UV light
• certain rare skin diseases, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and basal cell nevus syndrome
• weakened immune system
• infection by certain types of human papilloma virus
• smoking
• certain types of moles
• other risk factors

Each year, over one million people are diagnosed with cancer of the skin, making it the most common type of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, it is also one of the few types of cancer that has become more common in recent years. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable of all cancers.

source : cancer.about.com

Five Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer

Five Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer

The American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee released the revised 2012 guidelines for nutrition and physical activity to decrease the risk of cancer. The prior version went out in 2006, but the overall message remains the same - your diet and activity level matter a great deal.

There are five things you can start doing today to decrease your risk of colon cancer. Don't wait until signs and symptoms show up - make the changes now to protect your colon.

Get Moving - Aim For a Minimum of 150 Minutes Per Week of Moderate Activity



Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Begin by parking a little farther from work, taking the stairs, or vacuuming the house if you are physically capable. The 150 minutes per week is a suggestion. You will have to work your way up to it.

Stop Smoking or Don't Start



Smoking and tobacco use are linked to 17 different types of cancer, colon cancer included, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Your risk increases with the number of years and cigarettes that you smoke. The formula is simple: quit now and your risk of colon cancer (and 16 other types of cancer) begins to drop.

Eat Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains



The ACS suggests eating at least two and a half cups of fruits and vegetables daily. Eat a big salad for lunch and you probably just met half your goal in one meal! A good way to integrate plant-based foods into your diet is to exchange one starch or empty-calorie food (think chips, hot rolls, candy bar) for a plant based food.

Lose Weight if Necessary



Losing weight and maintaining a stable weight are interlinked. The ACS suggests dropping weight slowly - if you are overweight - and keeping a lean body to decrease your risk of colon cancer.

Don't Consume Alcohol and Red Meat



Some doctors give an advice to limit consume alcohol and red meat. But, i think the best way are don't consume them because both of them (alcohol and red meat) have big impact to your body especially to Colon Cancer.

Additionally, don't discount routine physicals and screening for colon cancer. Colon cancer may still impact those of us who live by the guidelines, but at the very least, you are doing the best you can for your body.

source :
- cancer.about.com

Common Questions About Breast Cancer

Q: Does using birth control pills cause breast cancer?
A: There appears to be no clear increase between the use of birth control pills and increased breast cancer risk. Though birth control pills do contain certain hormones, the amounts are small. As every woman and case of breast cancer is different, women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors for breast cancer.

Q: Can eating certain foods cause breast cancer?
A: Several large studies looking at the link between foods and breast cancer have been conducted. To date, a link between foods and breast cancer has not been identified. A few studies have found a possible link between fat and breast cancer, but further research needs to be completed. As a general rule of thumb, the best practice is to eat a healthy diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains and fibrous fruits and vegetables. Most importantly, please talk to your doctor before beginning any diet or nutrition regiment.

Q: Do all antiperspirants cause breast cancer?
A: Antiperspirants do not appear to be a cause of breast cancer. Recent rumors have circulated claiming that the body needs to purge toxins by sweating through the armpits and that if an antiperspirant is used, the body will store those toxins in the lymph nodes below the arm, causing breast cancer. These claims are not true; the body does not release toxins through underarm sweat. Sweat found in the underarm area is made up of 99.9% water, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

Q: Can an injury to my breast develop into breast cancer?
A: Injury to the breast does not cause breast cancer. In some cases, the breast may become bruised after an injury and, in rare cases, develop a non-cancerous lump called fat necrosis. Fat necrosis is not dangerous, and the symptoms usually subside within a month. If you have a lump in your breast and are concerned that it may be breast cancer, consult with your doctor immediately.

Q: Will wearing underwire bras cause breast cancer?
A: Wearing an underwire bra will not cause breast cancer. A popular book published in 1995 suggested that underwire bras constrict the body's lymph node system, causing breast cancer. This claim is inaccurate. No studies have found a link between select undergarments and breast cancer.

Q: Do mammograms cause breast cancer?
A: No, mammograms do not cause breast cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 have a mammogram every year. Mammograms use low levels of radiation that are determined to be safe by the American College of Radiology. Mammograms are an excellent tool for detecting breast cancer at an early stage, and early detection is essential in reducing the number of women who develop stage IV, also known as metastatic breast cancer. As every woman and case of breast cancer is different, women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors for breast cancer. In some cases, women with a high risk of breast cancer should have a mammogram before the age of 40.

Q: If I have fibrocystic breasts, am I at higher risk for breast cancer?
A: About 50 percent of women will be affected by fibrocystic breast condition at some point in their lives. Fibrocystic breasts are common and non-cancerous. Fibrocystic breasts are not a risk factor for breast cancer. They do make detection with standard imaging and exam techniques more difficult, but not impossible.

Q: Will surgery to remove a breast cause the cancer to spread?
A: When breast cancer spreads, it is said to have metastasized. No one knows what causes breast cancer to metastasize, but there is no link between the surgical removal of a breast and the spread of breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. There are various treatment options available today for women with this disease -- including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted therapy -- which continue to play a central role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It is important that women with this disease speak with their doctors about their treatment options.

Q: Does breast cancer affect only post-menopausal women?
A: No, women of all ages can develop breast cancer. A woman's risk of developing breast cancer does increase as she ages, making it important for all women 40 and older to have an annual mammogram. The American Cancer Society says that breast self-exams are optional for women over 20, but recommends that women be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel. Women should report any new breast changes to their doctor as soon as they are found. The American Cancer Society also recommends that women in their 20s and 30s have a clinical breast exam (CBE) every three years as a part of their regular health exam. Early detection is important in increasing survival and reducing the chances of the cancer metastasizing (spreading).

Q: Can I get breast cancer if it doesn't run in my family?
A: A family history of breast cancer does increase risk; however, more than 80% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have identifiable risk factors for breast cancer, like a family history.

source : cancer.about.com