Skin Cancer Symptoms

Every one of these 7 remarkable people beat the cancer. They're living proof that melanoma doesn't have to be a death sentence; that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

So if you're feeling afraid, uncertain, and worried about the future, then please relax. You're not alone. And help is at hand. Read on and discover how others have coped with their cancer and how they battled through and eventually WON.
Here is the link : Skin cancer Advice

This lens is dedicated to the memory of my father Bill who passed away on October 6th, 2007, aged 76, from squamous-cell skin cancer. This had spread to the lymph glands in his neck and face. He had his first skin cancer removed in 1993. He had an fair complexion and coming from England and living in Australia from 1959. He worked outside for about 8 years in the mid 60's of course in thoses days no one told you to put on a hat or wear sunscreen. Dad also had Chronic Leukemia for 15 years which recently had stopped his immune system from fighting infections. The three large skin cancer he had removed from his head in March just didn't heal and radiation treatment couldn't stop them spreading. If Dad had been younger and didn't have the Leukemia he would have had a good chance of recovering but having skin cancers for over 14 years that just kept appearing. He couldn't fight any more. He is at peace now with no more pain. He always kept a positive attitude, was intelligent and maintained his sense of humor to the end.

The three main types of skin cancer are:
Basal cell carcinoma:
* most common and least dangerous form of skin cancer
* appears as a round or flattened lump or scaly area
* red, pale or pearly in color
* grows slowly, usually on the head, neck and upper torso
* as it grows it may form an ulcer.

Squamous cell carcinoma:
* less common, but more dangerous than basal cell carcinoma
* not as dangerous as melanoma
* appears as a thickened, red, scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate
* appears on skin most often exposed to the sun
* grows over weeks to months and may spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Melanoma

Melanoma is cancer of the skin's melanocytes (pigment cells) and the most deadly form of skin cancer. There are two main types of melanoma.

Common (or superficial spreading) melanoma:

* the least common but most serious form of skin cancer
* appears as a new spot or an existing spot, freckle or mole that changes color, size or shape
* usually has an irregular or smudgy outline and is more than one color
* only rarely causes pain, bleeds or itches
* grows over weeks and months anywhere on the body (not just in places that get a lot of sun)
* if untreated, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.

Nodular melanoma is not as common. It:

* grows quickly
* looks different from common melanomas - is raised from the start and even in color
* may be red or pink; some are brown or black
* is firm to touch and dome-shaped
* will begin to bleed and crust after a while.

Remember to please seek advice from your doctor!

Sun Smart Victoria

Treatments for melanoma include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Melanoma is treated best when the cancer is in the early stages.

Surgery

Melanomas are always removed by surgery. The tumour is cut out, along with an area of normal-looking skin from around the melanoma. Sometimes, if the melanoma is at an early stage, the whole melanoma is removed at the initial biopsy and no further treatment is needed.

People with a melanoma which has grown deeper into the skin need to be admitted to hospital so a larger amount of skin can be removed. This ensures all the cancer cells have been removed. This usually requires a general anaesthetic.

The surgeon will also remove a margin of normal-looking skin around the cancer. The amount removed will depend on the size of the melanoma, and may be from 5 mm to 2 cm. In most cases the wound can be stitched together.

Skin grafts: Sometimes a skin graft is required to cover the wound. For the graft, the surgeon will take a layer of skin from another part of your body and place it over the wound. The other possibility is to do a 'flap', where the surgeon will close the wound using a nearby flap of skin. Most people will not need a graft or flap. My father had several of these on his head.

After the operation: The wound will be covered with a dressing and left undisturbed for several days. It will then be checked to see if it is healing properly. You will also have dressings on any area from which the skin was taken for a graft.

There may be follow up treatment or further investigation if the doctor thinks there is a chance the melanoma has spread to the lymph glands. This may include a biopsy, Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy.
Your doctors advice is also the best to follow and early detection and treatment the best course of action.

At my children's school in Melbourne, Australia, they have a Sun Smart policy that is recommended from the Cancer Council of Australia.
Here are the simple point of the policy:

slip on a shirt

slap on a hat

slop on sunscreen

seek shade

slide on sunglasses

My children have a motto they follow in the warmer months at school. Wear your hat and glasses when we leave our classes. They were the first school in our state to have sun glasses as part of the school uniform. They protect the children's eyes from sun damaged and future eye problems.
Ultraviolet damage causes several eye conditions - including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, snow blindness (photokeratitis), eyelid cancers and growths on the eye (pterygium) which can invade the cornea and affect vision.

A value fleece, made from Air Jet Spun Yarn, offers a soft feel and no pill, wash after wash.
Fight Against Skin Cancer Sweatshirt

Amazon's standard t-shirts are made of 100% cotton and preshrunk (ultra cotton heavyweight).
Help fight skin cancer.
Beating Skin Cancer Together T-shirt

The mortality rate from cancer hasn't changed in 60 years despite the billions invested to find a cure. Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time provides solid, practical advice for preventing cancer by avoiding carcinogens and implementing lifestyle/dietary practices that modify cancer causing factors.

Combining their experience in family medicine and epidemiology with their passion for disease prevention, the authors provide the most up to date and effective advice for preventing cancer from developing in ourselves and our loved ones. Many "how to" examples for preventing cancer by being environmentally aware, avoiding infections, living the proper lifestyle and getting the proper nutrition are provided. Chapter by chapter summaries and listings of the latest cancer prevention web sites are great references. Worksheets assist readers in implementing the advice in very tangible ways, and the recipe collection of cancer avoiding meals is a winner!

"An empowering book from the first page. Health principles and the best in sound research. It will change how you live with simple graces such as removing your shoes, pleasing your body with good taste, keeping yourself environmentally conscious, and relationally wise. Health care from a preventative perspective we all need." -- Gwen MacDonald, M.D., Owner and President of Pediatrics Plus Family

"Something for everyone. Each chapter sparked my interest and inspired me to read more. This book covers the spectrum of cancer prevention, and the depth of writing, index and resources enable anyone to find the specific information they're interested in." -- Amy Casey-Paal MPH, Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health Cancer Control Section
Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice For Preventing Cancer