Can You Spot Melanoma On Your Skin?
June 6, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
More than Skin Deep: MORE THAN ONE MILLION SKIN CANCERS ARE Diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), and that number is rising. Melanoma rates in the u.s. have increased by at least 3% each year for the past decade, say statistics appearing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Yet , despite widespread efforts to educate and raise awareness of the problem, a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center (consumerreports.org) reveals that 31 % of Americans still don’t use sunscreen.
Despite what you might believe - it isn’t the purview of spa professionals or your local facialists to diagnose or treat skin cancer - they have been taught to spot potential melanoma and inform you of it. But don’t rely too much on someone else. ONLY YOU know your skin better than anyone and will be best able to recognize changes and differences in spots or moles.
Types of Skin Cancer
The three types of cell carcinomas referred to as skin cancers are, in order of severity: basal, squamous and melanoma Dr. Shawn Adhami, a Los Angeles based internist and founder of natural skincare line, Vivoderm describes each type.
Basal cell carcinoma “This is the most common skin cancer. It can be locally destructive, causing a person to lose parts of his or her nose, for example.”
Squamous cell carcinoma “The second most common type. In rare cases, it G ill metastasize and get into the nerves of the skin.”
Melanoma “This is the most rare and deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma gets into the skin, but then, if not caught early, it gets into the blood cells and spreads throughout the body. There’s no cure for melanoma, though some patients get better with chemotherapy.”
The bottom line is this: NO ONE is immune from the effects of the sun - if you are IN IT, you are suseptable to its damage.
USE SUNSCREEN - Zinc Oxide is beset as a pure natural sunblock.
STAY OUT OF THE SUN FROM 10 AM TILL 2PM - the worst damage is caused at this time.
COVER UP: Don’t expect that little amount of sunscreen you used five hours to keep you safe…keep covered with hats, glasses and appropriate clothing.
