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August 29-30, 2012
HEALTHY LIFE: CANCER
9
noma, named after the type of skin cell from
where each cancer originates.
The first two can be fast or slow growing,
but rarely spread to other parts of the body
and are likely to be cured if treated early;
they’re classified as non-melanomas. The
third is dangerous.
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BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
— The most com-
mon form of skin cancer — an estimated 2.8
million people are diagnosed with this annu-
ally in the United States — this form of can-
cer can be highly disfiguring if allowed to
grow, according to SCF.
In appearance, it appears as a raised,
smooth, translucent bump typically on one’s
head, neck or shoulders and sometimes small
blood vessels can be seen within the tumor.
According to the American Academy of Der-
matology (AAD), crusting and bleeding in the
center of the tumor is common; it’s often mis-
taken for a waxy sore that doesn’t heal.
Treatment can typically eliminate the spot
without scarring but if it spreads too large
could result in the loss of an eye, ear or nose.
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SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
— The second
most common form of skin cancer, this usu-
ally appears in sun-exposed areas such as the
face, ears, neck, arms, scalp and hands. Ap-
proximately 700,000 cases are diagnosed each
year in the United States resulting in an esti-
mated 2,500 deaths.
In appearance, this form of cancer is usu-
ally a red, scaling, thickened patch on the skin
— some bleed. If not treated, it may develope
into a large mass. If left untreated, this form
of cancer can destory tissue surrounding the
tumor — such as an ear or nose — and, ac-
cording to the AAD, can be deadly if it spreads
to they lymph nodes or other organs.
■
MELANOMA
is the most serious skin can-
cer because of its ability to spread; it’s impor-
tant to spot it early. Pay special attention to
your back, buttocks, legs, scalp, neck and be-
hind the ears, where it is commonly found,
often in a preexisting mole.
Look for changes in your moles and note
any asymmetry, uneven borders, mixed col-
ors, a size bigger than a pencil eraser and one
that changes in size, the AAD suggests. A bi-
opsy would determine if the mole is just atyp-
ical in shape or a melanoma.
In Oregon, the CDC notes that 12 people die
each year from melanoma. The survival rate
is 99 percent for patients who detect a mela-
noma early, but drops to 15 percent for those
with an advanced disease, according to the
ACS. According to the ACS, one person dies
from melanoma every 62 minutes.
The National Cancer Institute notes that
most people diagnosed with melanoma are
white men over 50 — so before you fire up the
lawn mower or hit the golf course, make sure
you’ve lathered up. More statistics?
The ACS also notes that one in 39 Cauca-
sian men and one in 58 Caucasian women will
develop melanoma in their lifetimes.
“If diagnosed and treated early, skin can-
cer is highly curable,” Wiley said and, in most
cases, the surgery to cut out the melanomas
can be done in the doctor’s office or an an out-
patient procedure under local anesthesia.
Spot something in question?
The Foundation’s website — www.skincan-
cer.org — features a physician finder feature
and information about support resources.
Skin cancer is prevalent, one age group, in
particular, is playing with fire.
Burning desire to be tan
Young adults are especially at risk for skin
cancer according to recent studies from the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Pre-
vention and the National Cancer Institute.
Half of those surveyed for the “Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report” between ages
18 and 29 reported having at least one sun-
burn in 2010. And a person’s risk of develop-
ing potentially deadly melanomas doubles if
he or she has had more than five sunburns at
any age, according to the SCF.
In this age group — especially white wom-
en — 30 percent admitted to using indoor
tanning beds. Statistics collected for a recent
Mayo Clinic study showed that in the past 40
years, melanoma rates have increased by 800
percent among 18 to 39 year old women —
400 percent by men in same age bracket.
Is a tan worth the risk?
The Mayo Clinic also noted that tanners
who visit a salon four times a year increase
their risk of melanoma by 11 percent; the risk
of non-melanoma skin cancers and basal and
squamous cell carcinoma goes up by 15 per-
cent.
Get to know head-to-toe
Those over 18 should see a dermatologist
annually for a full-body skin exam. The SCF
also recommends examining one’s skin head-
to-toe at least once a month to identify pos-
sible new or changing lesions that might be
cancerous or precancerous.
Step-by-step instructions for performing a
self-exam can be found on its website but in-
clude paying special attention when examin-
ing one’s nose, lips, mouth, ears, scalp and
palms of the hands before scanning the front
and back of the body — including the geni-
tals — using a mirror.
Recap: Wiley noted that about 90 percent
of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85 per-
cent of melanoma cases are associated with
exposure to ultraviolet sun radiation.
“Given the facts,” she said, “the Skin Can-
cer Foundation recommends adopting a com-
plete year-round sun protection regimen and
following The Foundation’s skin cancer pre-
vention guidelines.”
Look for changes in your moles and note any asymmetry,
uneven borders, mixed colors, a size bigger than a pencil
eraser and one that changes in size.
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