Biology Research Project #1
Skin Cancer is a growing problem throughout America. Currently there are numerous types of skin cancer. Skin cancer can range from malignant melanoma, to arsenical keratoses. All types of skin cancer are dangerous and can spread quickly. It is recommended that you report any instance of suspected cancer immediately to a doctor so it can be determined if it is malignant or not. Skin cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of the cells which make up the skin. Growth mainly occurs on the epidermis, and spreads quite rapidly over the unaffected areas. The cells are supposed to divide in order to produce new and healthy skin. Sometimes the cells divide so rapidly that they form tumors on the outside of the skin. There are two types of tumors that skin cancer can form, the first type is called a benign tumor. Benign tumors don’t usually spread, but depending on the tumors location it may need to be removed. Benign tumors pose very little risk, but they can interfere with certain organs of the body and their functions. The second type of tumor is called malignant. Malignant tumors are the cancerous type, these tumors destroy or invade normal body tissue by a process known as metatasis. "Metatasis causes cancerous cells to break away from the original tumor and go to other parts of the body" (Anonymous 1985). This process can greatly increase the size of tumors spreading throughout the body, and also affect the number found in the body. Malignant melanoma is considered to be one of the worst types of skin cancer to get. Melanoma does not just limit itself to the skin, it can affect organs throughout the body; as well as bone. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes within the skin. Melanocytes are used to produce pigments called melanin’s. These pigments create our natural skin color and our used to protect the skin from burning while exposed to ultra violet rays. "Melanoma accounts for only five percent of all skin cancer cases. Melanoma is the leading cause of all skin cancer-related deaths" (Schering). The American Cancer Society suggests a simple ABCD approach to use when trying to identify melanoma. A = Asymmetrical: melanoma lesions are typically uneven or irregular in shape (asymmetrical); benign moles are typically round B = Border: Melanoma lesions often have irregular borders (i.e. ragged or notched edges); benign moles have smooth edges and even borders. C = Color: Melanoma lesions often contain many shades of brown or black; benign moles are usually a single shade of brown. D = Diameter: Melanoma lesions are often more than six millimeters in diameter. Benign moles are usually less than six millimeters in diameter. To best protect your self from the suns harmful UV rays, you should avoid direct contact for long periods of time; between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A sunscreen of at least fifteen sun protection factor is recommended. A sunscreen of spf fifteen means that a person wearing spf of fifteen can stay out in the sun fifteen times longer than a person with out any sunscreen on, and still burn the same amount. You should check your skin every six to eight weeks for any changes in the shape, size, or color in any moles. Most people don’t think that they will burn on a cloudy day. However most people are wrong, you have a greater chance of burning on a cloudy day than you do on a sunny day. You burn easier on a cloudy day because you don’t feel as warm and generally stay out in the sun longer than you would on a sunny day. The suns UV rays also penetrate water. The rays of the sun can reach depths of up to three feet and still cause a significant burn to the skin. There are many types of skin cancer a person can develop from over exposure to UV light. A person may develop either basal or squamous cell cancer. "Basal cell cancer accounts for seventy-five percent of all skin cancer diagnosed" (Anonymous 1988). Many experts once believed that basal cell cancer was found primarily in middle and upper aged adults. However, recent studies by the American Cancer Society show that basal cell cancer is increasing among younger people. "This rise among younger people is believed to be primarily due to sun exposure" (Anonymous 1985). With many younger people participating in outdoor sports and spending more and more time laying to tan at the pools. Along with increased usage of tanning beds we will probably continue to see more and more cases of basal cell cancer each year. Another major type of skin cancer is squamous cell cancer, this type of cancer occurs less frequently than basal cell cancer. Squamous cell cancer accounts for twenty percent of all skin cancers. This type of skin cancer usually develops in areas which are frequently exposed to the sun. These areas include hands, ears, lips, and hands. With advancements in today’s medicines and treatments, the survival rate for a five year period has increased to "eighty percent in 1995 as opposed to forty percent in the 1940’s" (Friedman 1). The most effective treatment for malignant melanoma is still surgery. With the removal of the cancer during surgery, the patient’s risk of the cancer returning are greatly diminished. However "despite the current improved survival rate of patients who develop malignant melanomas, the death rate continues to climb, due to the exponentially increasing incidence rate" (Friedman 1). The survival rate also depends on how fast the person can recognize the malignant melanoma and seek adequate treatment for it. Skin cancer can affect anyone, "it is most common among fair skinned people with blonde or red hair. Skin cancer is less common among people with black or brown skin, but can still occur regardless of your skin color" (Anonymous 1988). Almost all 500,000 cases of skin of skin cancer reported are sun related. Sunscreens are very important to protect the skin from burning. "Recently there have been some concerns that sunscreens with padimate O (octly-dimethyl PABA) might over time produce a chemical nitrosamine is a carcinogen. (Heath). Bill Rees of the American Cancer Society stated that some incidents of skin cancer can be related to tanning beds, but exact numbers are not known. There are seven effective ways of treating melanoma: surgery, chemosurgery, radiation, laser therapy, chemotherapy, curettage, and imunotherapy (Cancer Manual). Skin cancer incidents in Marion, Ohio are relatively low. In 1996 there were " seven cases reported, three men and four women. State wide there were six hundred and fifty one men and four hundred and eighty three women reporting instances of skin cancer (Ohio Cancer Society). The best way to avoid this damaging disease is to pay attention to how long you are exposed to the sun’s rays and wear sun screen. It would also be very beneficial to cover up your skin as much as possible during the summer months. The best prevention may be information, this could be the very thing that saves lives when it comes to dealing with skin cancer. Although I would have liked to receive some information from the attorney generals office on the tanning bed industry and it’s relation to skin cancer. I was unsuccessful in getting my requests for sources through the attorney generals office. I think that this would be a great source to obtain information on this through, but due to the time constraints; this agency may simply not able to reply in a short amount of time. I also contacted The State Farm Insurance company, hoping to get some statistics on skin cancer from their health department. Unfortunately the information I received from them was the same information I had already received from the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute. Most of my sources are from the American Cancer Society, however some research was done at the Regional Cancer institute in Marion, Ohio. Some information was looked up at the Marion public library or the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Works Cited Anonymous 1988, American Cancer Society; Facts on Skin Cancer Publication 2049. Anonymous 1985, American Cancer Society; Fry Now Pay Later Publication 2611. Cancer Manual, Massachusetts Division, Eighth Edition, 1990. Friedman, Robert et all, Malignant Melanoma in The 1990’s, American Cancer Society Publication 3357, 1991. Heath, Clark W. Sunlight, Epidemology and Statistics American Cancer Society. Ohio Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Incidents Among Ohio Residents, 1996. Rees, Bill. Telephone Interview. May 15th 1997. Shering Corporation, Understanding Melanoma Publication 18999706, 1996.