abcde melanoma
The level of skin cancer is one of the highest in Australia. Having a gorgeous out-doors lifestyle and severe sun, it is not only best to know this disease, it is simply a matter of survival. More than two-thirds of Australians are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer each year, the good news however is that when discovered early most are very treatable. This paper will take you through the most important facts: the main causes, the various forms of skin cancer and the most important warning signs in the early recognition most importantly, the ABCDEs of melanoma. Getting to know how to identify the appearance of changes on your skin and knowing the value of early detection, you will be able to gain a strong control over the wellbeing of your skin.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of the skin cells that are caused by the mutations that arise due to the unrepaired damages on the DNA. The mutations make the cancerous cells in the skin multiply at an alarming rate to form malignant tumours. In Australia, the major source of this damage is the ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which could be the sun (and other sources such as solarium tanning beds, which are currently prohibited in Australia because of their carcinogenicity).
The Secondary Cause: UV Radiation
The amount of skin cancer attributed to sun exposure is 95-99% in Australia. We are in a perfect storm of danger by being geographically placed under the ozone hole, we have a largely fair-skinned community, and we have an outdoors-based culture.
- Damage UV Radiation: UV rays reach the skin and destroy the DNA of skin cells.
Cumulative and Intermittent Exposure: Lifelong exposure to the sun, as well as incidences of severe and blistering sunburns (particularly during childhood), are a great deal.
- No Safe Tan: Tan is an indication of skin damage. No amount of UV exposure is safe in regard to tanning.
Major Skin Cancer Types
It is important to understand the distinction between the principal types of skin cancer in order to identify them.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- The Most Common: Ranges at approximately 70 percent of non- melanoma skin cancers.
- Look: It can be in the form of a pearly lump, a scaly dry region, a painful wound that fails to heal, or a reddish spot.
- Behaviour: This advances slowly, and may seldom metastasise (spread) but may result in much local destruction, unless treated.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- Second most common: Comprises the majority of the remaining skin tumors that are non-melanoma.
- Appearance: May appear as a thick red scaly spot, a lump that grows too fast or a sore that fails to heal. It can be very easy to bleed or tender.
- Behaviour: Bigger than a BCC and with a slim yet noticeable possibility of spreading in case it is not treated early enough.
Melanoma
- The Most Dangerous: Being the least frequent, yet the most serious, in that it may be diffused to other parts of the body.
- Origin: Sometimes an already existing mole or a new unusual-looking spot may develop.
- Survival Rate: When detected and treated in the early stages when it is thin the survival rate is more than 90 within 5 years. This rate is greatly lowered by late detection which highlights the high importance of early detection.
Early Warning Signs: ABCDE of Melanoma
The first line of defence is to have regular self-checks. Watch out on any new spot, or any previous mole or freckle which varies in size, shape, or colour. In the case of melanoma, it is important to keep in mind the essential ABCDE rule:
A is Asymmetry: Half the spot is not equal to the other.
B is Border: Edges are jagged, scalloped, blurred or notched.
C is Colour: Colour is patchy, and has different tones of brown, black, red, white, or blue.
D is the Diameter: Although melanomas may be small, the ones that are diagnosed may be bigger than 6mm (a pencil eraser) in diameter.
E is Evolving: The spot is swelling, or shrinking, or changing colour, or swelling up, or starting to bleed or itch.
In the case of non-melanoma skin cancer, one should seek:
- A place not like other places on your skin.
- A sore which fails to heal in a few weeks.
- An itchy or bleeding or sore spot.
- Any raised and swelling mole or lump, which grows quickly.
The Essential Nature of a Professional Medical Examination.
Professional assessment should not be replaced through self-checks. In case of any appearance alterations of the skin, the immediate visit of a GP or a dermatologist is a must.
What to Expect: The physician will perform an inspection of the skin, and this may include the use of a dermatoscope (a special magnifying lamp). In case a skin tumour appears suspicious, then they will probably refer to a biopsy and a small piece of the tumour may be taken off to be examined. This is how one can be sure of a skin cancer diagnosis.
Skin Cancer Therapy.
Treatment of skin cancer is very effective particularly at the initial stages. This selection requires the form of skin cancer, size, location and depth.
- Surgical Excision: Cutting out the cancer plus a margin of healthy skin is the most frequent method of treatment.
- Mohs Surgery: This is a specialised procedure of some BCCs and SCCs, which removes thin layers of skin until there is no cancer cell left. Superior in places such as the face.
- Cryotherapy: The freezing of small cancers, at an early stage, using liquid nitrogen.
- Topical Therapies: Creams or gels of superficial tumors of the skin.
- Radiation Therapy: This is applied in absence of surgery.
- Higher Therapies: In the case of advanced melanomas, more advanced modalities of therapy, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have transformed outcomes.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Skin Cancer.
Pros:
- High Preventability: The majority of the skin cancers are preventable by sun-smart behaviour.
- High Treatability: Simple, curative treatments are the rule in the overwhelming majority of cases and made possible by early diagnosis.
- Empowerment: Self-checks make you in control of your health surveillance.
- Peace of Mind: A definite health check can ease the anxiety and identify issues in their initial stages.
Cons:
- Complacency Risk: She will be alright and may postpone the check and result in an even greater outcome.
- Anxiety: Self-checks may lead to anxiety, but this is compensated by the fact that it results in early detection.
- Treatment Can Be Invasive: Although this is effective, surgical treatments may cause scarring especially on exposed parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean that I can get skin cancer without burning my skin?
Yes. Sunburn is the greatest risk factor but accumulated sun exposure throughout your life is equally a cause of DNA damage that causes skin cancer.
What is the frequency of skin checking?
Conduct a comprehensive self-review after every month. Learn your moles and freckle pattern in order to detect changes.
Who is the most vulnerable to skin cancer?
Individuals who have fair skin, which burns easily, have a history of sunburn (particularly during childhood), have lots of moles or have strange moles, have melanoma in their family history, or those with high lifetime sun exposure.
Are all new moles cancerous?
No, many new moles are benign. But a doctor should examine any new moles after the age of 25 or any moles that would have changed.
Which type of sunscreen is the best?
Wear a waterproof, wide-spectrum, sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Spread 20 minutes prior to stepping out into the field and repeat after every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Conclusion
In Australia, skin cancer is a severe, though mostly treatable, medical problem. It is the strength of a blend of strict sun protection and care in early diagnosis. In knowing the causes, the type of skin cancer, and in making a personal commitment of conducting self-checks every month with the ABCDE guide of melanoma, you are on the most crucial path of preserving yourself. Then find no cause to wait till a spot becomes a worry.
