Stricken by Sunburn - Skin Cancer On the Nose

Posted on August 11th, 2008 by

Skin cancer is commonly a result of sunlight exposure. Nearly three-fourths of cases diagnosed each year are caused by this factor. Sometimes it occurs because of frequent exposure, or it may result from a single bad sunburn. Those who experience a bad sunburn may worry about getting skin cancer on the nose.

How is it possible to tell whether the blemish on your nose is skin cancer? Skin cancer lesions differ from other sores or pimples in three primary ways. If, however, you even suspect the possibility of skin cancer, it is important to visit a physician as soon as possible. A certain diagnosis can only be made by surgical biopsy.

Basal skin cancer lesions are different from other sores in that they do not heal. They frequently appear, drain bloody or yellowish fluid, scab over, and then begin to drain again. They primarily appear on areas of the skin that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and upper back.

Squamous cancer tumors may look similar to basal carcinomas. Alternatively, they may be rough, scaly patches of skin that do not go away. If a sore does not disappear after a reasonable period, a physician who can help to determine whether the sore might actually be cancerous skin should evaluate it.

Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers are frequently found in areas exposed to sunlight. Because the skin on the surface of the nose is tender and receives frequent exposure to sunlight, this area of the skin is at greatest risk for developing one of these types of skin cancer. These cancers are very treatable with surgical removal.

Although the face and nose are primarily sites for nonmelanoma cancers, malignant melanomas can also develop on the face in some instances. This form of skin cancer is very deadly once it has spread beyond the primary site. Distinguishing between a melanoma and nonmelanoma can be very difficult, and so it is extremely important to seek early treatment if any kind of skin cancer is suspected.

One of the best methods to prevent skin cancer caused by sunlight exposure is with sunscreens. Agents that provide a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 are recommended for persons with fair skin. Small children should also be protected with a sunscreen offering an SPF of at least 30.

If you think you have skin cancer on the nose, see a doctor immediately to have it evaluated. Skin cancer is nearly 100 percent curable if detected in the very early stages, before it has spread beyond the primary site. Your life may depend on prompt evaluation and treatment of the sore on your nose.

Popularity: 10%

Filed under: Skin Cancer | No Comments »

Skin Cancer - The Silent Killer

Posted on August 11th, 2008 by

Mary Katherine Grant was a successful 68-year-old career woman who managed hospitals with hundreds of people, traveled the world, enjoyed golfing, and loved spending time in the sun.

The latter is what took her life.

We’ve heard it all before: Don’t talk to strangers, be careful when alone at night, smoking isn’t good for you… but never “the sun can kill you!” Our family, like thousands of other families, learned the hard way: it can. And now, with all the talk about the disappearing ozone layer and environmental/global warming, there is a desperate need for much more awareness of the dangers of the sun, and skin cancer.

I wish my aunt realized the dangers before skin cancer cut her life short.

When we think of the effects of the sun’s rays on our skin, we usually think about the exposed areas of our bodies and our face. Those dreaded signs of aging we begin to see in our 30s, as well as the pain of a good sunburn, immediately come to mind. But the effects of the sun on the scalp are rarely considered, if at all.

This easily overlooked area of skin, hidden by a full head of hair, is where it started for my aunt.

After her hairdresser told her of a small, irregularly-shaped mole hidden by her hair, my aunt visited her dermatologist for a checkup. The news was grim: cancerous melanoma. After more visits to her dermatologist, and then many more skin experts, my aunt was diagnosed with STAGE 4 skin cancer – the final stage immediately before the terminal phase, Stage 5. There was little all those specialists could do. She had no previous symptoms. No pain. No weakness. My aunt felt great, looked even better and traveled the country weekly. But, she was rapidly dying.

After multiple surgeries over three years, various expensive medications and treatments, the cancer spread deeper into her skin, into the dermis. The specialists tried to stay ahead of the aggressive cancer by removing the cancerous areas, including a four inch by four inch plate of her scull, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. It attacked her lymph glands, her bone, her brain. She suffered a stroke that rendered her left side unusable. On a Wednesday afternoon, my aunt took herself to the hospital complaining of a headache. She slipped into a coma. Three days later, my aunt died from a silent killer – that started from a small, almost unnoticed mole. She died from skin cancer.

My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.

Once she was diagnosed, there was nothing I could do to help my aunt, but I can help my clients, others, and myself by bringing this subject to the forefront. As a professional esthetician, I make it my business to look and make suggestions to my clients. Along with a qualified dermatologist, I can help in the prevention of skin cancer one person at a time.

Don’t wait until your hairdresser finds a mole. Visit a qualified dermatologist today. They will check you for irregular skin conditions, and instruct you how to do the same at home – it could save your life. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist and have your entire body checked regularly. Learn the ABCD’s of melanoma and spread the word (A-Asymmetry, B-Border, C-Color, D-Diameter). Awareness, education and early detection are our best defense. Most importantly, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!

Popularity: 100%

Filed under: Skin Cancer | No Comments »

Protecting Against the Dangers of Skin Cancer

Posted on August 10th, 2008 by

Like all other forms of cancer, skin cancer is a scary thought. However, there are many obvious defenses you take against the dangers of skin cancer. The development of skin cancer may take many years and it may be a long time before the cancerous cells cause any significant damage, yet there is no better time to begin protecting yourself than the present. If you have very fair skin or have a history of skin cancer in your family it is of particular importance that you be cautious as you are more susceptible to the dangers posed by sun exposure.

While tanning out in the sun on a hot day can be quite relaxing, it can also be a potential invitation for cancerous cells. Thus minimizing your exposure to the sun during the time of day when the sun’s ray are the most intense, being 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is highly advised. If you cannot avoid being in the sun for an extended period of time then you should apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 to all areas of the body visible to the sun. Be sure to reapply every so often as well. Being sure to wear clothing that properly protects areas of the body that have been burned in previous years is advisable as well.

If you attend tanning parlors frequently you are also increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. Though the ultraviolet light emitted by a tanning bed is essentially artificial, it is no less dangerous than the light emitted by the sun. If anything the direct exposure received in a tanning bed has the potential to become more dangerous, especially since one can attend tanning parlors all year round. It is also vitally important for children to be especially well protected from the sun, as they are more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet light.

Popularity: 7%

Filed under: Skin Cancer Treatment | No Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »