2008-1-Skin+Cancers

=Skin Cancers= By: Hayley Carter and Morgan Armbruster

//__SKIN CANCER:__ A malignant neoplasm of the skin.//

__EXAMPLES:__
 * Squamous Cell Carcinoma (most common type. spots are hard raised and painless)
 * Basal Cell Carcinoma (usually occurs on the upper face, less likely to metastasize)
 * Malignant Melanoma (fastest increasing cancer, most serious form, and causes death in 25% of all cases)
 * Kaposi's Sarcoma (a rare skin cancer, associated with AIDS, HIV and age, quickly spreads to lymph nodes and internal organs)

__SYMPTOMS:__
 * Spots on the skin
 * Usually starts out as a mole and are unevenly colored and not symmetrical in shape
 * Sometimes cancers can grow to about a fourth of an inch or bigger
 * The border of the cancer is usually undefined

__PREVENTION:__
 * Sun protection (generously apply sunscreen)
 * Avoid deliberate tanning
 * Get vitamin D
 * Wear protective clothing
 * Stay in the shade
 * Check your body for irregular spots

DIAGNOSIS:
 * Self-examination
 * Dermatologist
 * Biopsy of malignant cancer

__TREATMENT:__ Two types of a biopsy:
 * Excisional - entire cancer removed
 * Incisional- only a portion of the cancer is removed

__RISK:__ Sources: Patton, Kevin T., and Gary A. Thibodeau. __The Human Body in Health & Disease Softcover (Human Body in Health & Disease (W/CD))__. St Louis, Missouri: Mosby, 2005. "Google Image Search." __Google Image Search__. 28 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.images.google.com>.] "Dictionary.com." __Dictionary.com__. 28 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.dictionary.com>.] "WebMD - Better information. Better health.." __WebMD - Better information. Better health.__. 28 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.webmd.com>.]
 * Increases with age
 * Have had several blistering sunburns
 * Fair especially blonde hair or red hair
 * Blue, green or grey eyes
 * Tendency to burn or freckle
 * Personal history of skin cancer
 * One or more a typical mole
 * 50 plus moles
 * Long term x-ray exposure