Things you need to know about your health.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
THE BEAUTY OF HAVING A GOOD HEALTH.
What Is Squamous Cell Skin Cancer?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As indicated by the term, it is a cancer affecting the squamous cell of the skin. The process of skin cell transformation causes skin cell cancer. The transformation may start in healthy normal cells.
Risk factors
Individuals who are exposed regularly to strong sun rays for a very long time are at high risk for skin cancers. Other factors that increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer include:
• Increased exposure to x-rays either naturally or during taking of x-rays, which are usually done to know internal organization of the body, may initiate the skin cell transformation process.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals such as arsenic causes skin cancer.
• Features such as pale skin, blond or red hair and blue are considered exceedingly beautiful. But individuals with these features are at more risk for skin cancer.
• Individuals above the age of 50 are at high risk for skin cancer.
-------Symptoms ---------------
Squamous cell skin cancer is recognized by small bumps over the skin which is reddish patches with uneven surface. Though the extent of bumpiness of the tumor seen in this type of cancer is quiet less compared to basal cell skin cancer, it is highly dangerous as it has the property to spread to other parts of the body very easily. Areas that are highly prone to this type of cancer include ears, face, neck and hands. However, the bumps may develop in other regions as well.
Indications of skin cancer
• Injuries that do not heal for a very long time serve as signs for skin cancer.
• Any change in the color, shape, size and symmetry of the existing moles is an indication for skin cancer.
-------Diagnosis -----------------------
Existence of any of the above symptoms serves as a primary diagnostic test for skin cancer. However, the above symptoms could be due to other skin disorders such as fungal infections or poor health defence. Confirmation of skin cancer is based on a biopsy test of the skin sample. Presence of tumor cells in the skin sample confirms skin cancer.
Treatment
Unlike most other forms of cancer, skin cancer can be treated completely. Treatment generally involves surgical removal of the affected area. If the tumor size is very large and demands a removal of a large area of the skin, then skin grafting is done to replace the removed skin.
In some cases the size of the tumor is reduced by means of radiation therapy before performing a surgery.
If radiation therapy and surgery fail to give effective results then chemotherapy is the last available option. But this too does not give positive results for squamous cell skin cancer.
Now that you know detail information about squamous cell skin cancer, take appropriate care to prevent it from developing initially by reducing the extent of exposure to sun rays, that’s by fully covering your body or by applying sunscreen lotion before going out in sun. If any of the above symptoms are noticed, take immediate action and contact your physician to know the exact cause of the symptoms and cure.
--------- -- --- ---Five Signs of Skin Cancer-------------------
Like other forms of cancer, skin cancer is a deadly disease. It is essential to diagnose the disease in the initial stage to provide appropriate treatment. Skin cancer can be easily identified by careful examination of the changes seen in the skin. However, confirmation of skin cancer is done only after performing specific tests. Here are five important signs that signal skin cancer.
The characteristic changes seen in the moles serve as perfect indication for skin cancer. Any change in the symmetry, border, color, diameter and elevation of the moles is a sign for skin cancer. Bleeding skin wounds that do not heal for a very long term also serve as indication for skin cancer. The following is a discussion on each of the five signs of skin cancer.
• Change in symmetry. Normally, the moles that you see on a healthy skin are symmetrical. For example, if you divide them into exactly half; each half of the mole resembles the other half. But in case of skin cancer the moles are irregular in symmetry and each half of the mole does not bear any resemblance to the other half.
• Change in border. A normal or a benign mole contains smooth borders. In case of skin problems such as cancer, the moles bear irregular borders that are uneven and may even not be seen properly.
• Change in color of mole. Any color of the mole that is different from the regular brown color should be given importance. A regular mole will be in one shade or color, but a problematic mole will have shades of black or brown and even red or blue lines may be seen as the problem progresses.
• Diameter of the mole. A mole generally has a diameter of 6mm. If a mole is very large or very small than this diameter then it has to be given enough care. However, a mole that continues to grow has to be given more importance.
• Elevation. One last sign of skin cancer that needs concern is the elevation of the mole. A mole is generally in the same level as that of the skin. If a mole is found to be elevated with irregular surface then it should be checked for cancer. Cancerous moles generally increase in height very rapidly.
Apart from the above regular symptoms, if you are suffering from skin wounds that do not heal for a very long time and are oozing blood then you can suspect of skin cancer.
If you observe any of the above signs in your skin and from the above discussion, you are unable to judge your skin problem appropriately; it is a good idea to consult a dermatologist as early as possible. If you are suspected having a skin cancer, it will be treated by eliminating the affected portion of the skin. Sometimes even the surrounding tissue may be removed. However, it is essential to take appropriate skin protection measures to avoid development of skin cancer.
Some of the measures to be taken include protection of harmful UV rays of the sun; avoid excess use of cosmetics with harmful chemicals, and just use of homemade skin products.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As indicated by the term, it is a cancer affecting the squamous cell of the skin. The process of skin cell transformation causes skin cell cancer. The transformation may start in healthy normal cells.
Risk factors
Individuals who are exposed regularly to strong sun rays for a very long time are at high risk for skin cancers. Other factors that increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer include:
• Increased exposure to x-rays either naturally or during taking of x-rays, which are usually done to know internal organization of the body, may initiate the skin cell transformation process.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals such as arsenic causes skin cancer.
• Features such as pale skin, blond or red hair and blue are considered exceedingly beautiful. But individuals with these features are at more risk for skin cancer.
• Individuals above the age of 50 are at high risk for skin cancer.
-------Symptoms ---------------
Squamous cell skin cancer is recognized by small bumps over the skin which is reddish patches with uneven surface. Though the extent of bumpiness of the tumor seen in this type of cancer is quiet less compared to basal cell skin cancer, it is highly dangerous as it has the property to spread to other parts of the body very easily. Areas that are highly prone to this type of cancer include ears, face, neck and hands. However, the bumps may develop in other regions as well.
Indications of skin cancer
• Injuries that do not heal for a very long time serve as signs for skin cancer.
• Any change in the color, shape, size and symmetry of the existing moles is an indication for skin cancer.
-------Diagnosis -----------------------
Existence of any of the above symptoms serves as a primary diagnostic test for skin cancer. However, the above symptoms could be due to other skin disorders such as fungal infections or poor health defence. Confirmation of skin cancer is based on a biopsy test of the skin sample. Presence of tumor cells in the skin sample confirms skin cancer.
Treatment
Unlike most other forms of cancer, skin cancer can be treated completely. Treatment generally involves surgical removal of the affected area. If the tumor size is very large and demands a removal of a large area of the skin, then skin grafting is done to replace the removed skin.
In some cases the size of the tumor is reduced by means of radiation therapy before performing a surgery.
If radiation therapy and surgery fail to give effective results then chemotherapy is the last available option. But this too does not give positive results for squamous cell skin cancer.
Now that you know detail information about squamous cell skin cancer, take appropriate care to prevent it from developing initially by reducing the extent of exposure to sun rays, that’s by fully covering your body or by applying sunscreen lotion before going out in sun. If any of the above symptoms are noticed, take immediate action and contact your physician to know the exact cause of the symptoms and cure.
--------- -- --- ---Five Signs of Skin Cancer-------------------
Like other forms of cancer, skin cancer is a deadly disease. It is essential to diagnose the disease in the initial stage to provide appropriate treatment. Skin cancer can be easily identified by careful examination of the changes seen in the skin. However, confirmation of skin cancer is done only after performing specific tests. Here are five important signs that signal skin cancer.
The characteristic changes seen in the moles serve as perfect indication for skin cancer. Any change in the symmetry, border, color, diameter and elevation of the moles is a sign for skin cancer. Bleeding skin wounds that do not heal for a very long term also serve as indication for skin cancer. The following is a discussion on each of the five signs of skin cancer.
• Change in symmetry. Normally, the moles that you see on a healthy skin are symmetrical. For example, if you divide them into exactly half; each half of the mole resembles the other half. But in case of skin cancer the moles are irregular in symmetry and each half of the mole does not bear any resemblance to the other half.
• Change in border. A normal or a benign mole contains smooth borders. In case of skin problems such as cancer, the moles bear irregular borders that are uneven and may even not be seen properly.
• Change in color of mole. Any color of the mole that is different from the regular brown color should be given importance. A regular mole will be in one shade or color, but a problematic mole will have shades of black or brown and even red or blue lines may be seen as the problem progresses.
• Diameter of the mole. A mole generally has a diameter of 6mm. If a mole is very large or very small than this diameter then it has to be given enough care. However, a mole that continues to grow has to be given more importance.
• Elevation. One last sign of skin cancer that needs concern is the elevation of the mole. A mole is generally in the same level as that of the skin. If a mole is found to be elevated with irregular surface then it should be checked for cancer. Cancerous moles generally increase in height very rapidly.
Apart from the above regular symptoms, if you are suffering from skin wounds that do not heal for a very long time and are oozing blood then you can suspect of skin cancer.
If you observe any of the above signs in your skin and from the above discussion, you are unable to judge your skin problem appropriately; it is a good idea to consult a dermatologist as early as possible. If you are suspected having a skin cancer, it will be treated by eliminating the affected portion of the skin. Sometimes even the surrounding tissue may be removed. However, it is essential to take appropriate skin protection measures to avoid development of skin cancer.
Some of the measures to be taken include protection of harmful UV rays of the sun; avoid excess use of cosmetics with harmful chemicals, and just use of homemade skin products.
