Skin Cancer Research Paper

Words: 710
Pages: 3

Skin cancer is a genetic and environmental disease that can grow unless treated. Some types of skin cancer include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. Patients with Melanoma are more likely to die compared to patients with either types of Carcinoma. From 1971-2009, the incidence of Melanoma increased by 800% among young women and 400% among young men. Skin cancer risk doubles with 5 or more sunburns in a lifetime (oncoclick.org).
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors (oncoclick.org). The skin is the biggest organ in the human body. It protects against sunlight (UV rays), heat, injury or infection. Skin cells are infected in the Epidermis if not treated can lead to
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According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there are approximately 70,000 new cases of this condition every year in the United States (DermatologistOnCall). Most men from middle age to elderly are more prone to get this disease than women. People from Northern parts of Europe are most likely to develop Squamous Cell Carcinoma (DermatologistOnCall). In order for this disease to spread throughout the body, it depends on the body location, tumor size, depth of penetration and cell composition. Its signs and symptoms include: firm red nodules, flat lesions with a scaly crusted surface (mayoclinic). Treatment is determined by the size of the tumor itself and his/her medical profile. Although a simple excision, curettage (scraping away the cancerous growth), or cryosurgery can be an option for removing this disease from the body, most patients who are not suited for surgery may want to choose radiation or photodynamic therapy