skincancer2011-per6

= ﻿Three types of skin cancer: = 1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
 * Develops in the stratum basale and extends into the epiderms
 * Least likely to spread into the dermis
 * Symptoms:
 * A pearly or waxy bump
 * A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
 * Develops in the stratum spinosum and extends up through the epidermis, but can still extend down into the dermis and metastasize
 * Symptoms:
 * A firm, red nodule
 * A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface

3. Melanoma - A large brownish spot with darker speckles - A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds - A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
 * Develops in the melanocytes, which borders the dermis
 * Can spread down into the dermis and metastacize or spread up through the kerotinocytes of the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum in the epidermis
 * Symptoms:



Risk Factors
 * Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it grows into the dermis faster and metastasizes faster than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.
 * Statistics **
 * One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
 * Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; an estimated 2.8 million BCCs are diagnosed annually in the US. BCCs are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow.
 * Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
 * Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two major forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once
 * The incidence of many common cancers is falling, but the incidence of melanoma continues to rise significantly, at a rate faster than that of any of the seven most common cancers.
 * Melanoma accounts for about three percent of skin cancer cases, but it causes more than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths.
 * More than 20 Americans die each day from skin cancer, primarily melanoma
 * Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old


 * Fair skin
 * A history of sunburns
 * Family history of skin cancer
 * Excessive exposure to sun without protection/Tanning
 * Moles
 * Increasing Age

Skin cancer can be prevented by taking steps to decrease exposure to dangerous UV rays, such as:
 * Wearing protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen when in the sun for long periods of time, and applying it frequently
 * Don't use tanning booths
 * Stay in shady areas during the midday hours when the sun's rays are brightest