Skin cancer is among the most common type of cancers. Almost 1 out of 7 people in major countries like US, UK and Australia suffer from a type of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is not recognized in the early stage because the symptoms are very normal and one often confuses them with other skin related problems.
Causes
- Skin cancer is basically caused due to over exposure to the ultraviolet light that is a part of sunlight or sun beds.
- People endowed with highly fair skin are at a greater risk of this cancer as fair skin burns easily.
- As this cancer is very slow-growing, in most of the cases exposure to any such melanoma causing substances or elements at an early age increases the chances of falling prey to skin cancer later in life.
- People who have more number of moles on their skin are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease.
- Misuse/overuse of drugs containing high levels of carcinogenic elements can lead to skin cancer.
- Exposure to carcinogenic substances/elements like arsenic, tar, creosote and radiation etc. can lead to skin cancer.
- It is also hereditary. If anyone from your family had skin cancer, then you are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease.
Treatment
Surgery
Surgery for skin cancer involves cutting the skin area which is affected. Surgery can be most effective if the affected area is cut from the skin in the early stages of skin cancer.
Curettage And Electrodessication
An instrument called curettage is used to remove the cancer affected area. An electric machine is used to pass current in and around the affected area that stops blood circulation to and from the affected area, which is called electrodessication.
Moh’s Surgery
This type of surgery is used when the doctor is not very sure about the area, depth and nature of the skin cancer. Moh’s Surgery is very complex in nature and is more effective when the tumor is bigger in size and the affected area is hard to treat. In this surgery, tissue layers are removed based on the microscopic study of the tissues in and around the affected area.
Cryosurgery
In this type of treatment, the affected area is cooled to a very low temperature. The affected tissues/cells are frozen and killed with the help of liquid nitrogen. Depending upon the complexity and the affected area, this treatment can be repeated a number of times.
Laser Therapy
A high intensity narrow beam of laser is used to destroy the cells in the affected area. This therapy is used in most cases wherein the cancer has not reached deeper inside the skin.
Along with the above mentioned therapies, Radiation and Chemotherapy are the most commonly used treatments.
What Should I lookout For?
Skin cancer begins with very small, light-colored lumps on the skin. Sometimes the lump can also appear dry and be reddish or dark in color, these lumps are rough in nature. Any such lump can serve as a clue of skin cancer. The melanoma matures into a large mole which spreads across a large area and as it progresses, the cancer appears as if it is leaking blood. If you experience such moles or lumps on your skin, witness any suspicious change, and have non-healing sores, consult your doctor.
