Noblewi Health Tips and Advice

Archive for the ‘skin cancer’ Category

Cancer – the dreaded “C” word that no one wants to have to deal with. There are many different types of cancer. The most common type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is diagnosed in over one million Americans each year and causes over 10,000 deaths. However, it is also one of the most preventable cancers. With just a few precautions, you can avoid the risk of skin cancer.

One way to avoid getting skin cancer is to lather on the sunscreen when you are headed outdoors. According to the American Cancer Society, you should use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. They also recommend that you reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

Today there are many types of sunscreen in the forms of creams, oils, and now convenient sprays. So lather up and protect your skin.

It is also important to try and avoid the peak hours of the sun. The harmful UV rays of the sun are strongest during the peak hours of 10am and 4pm. This is when the sun is directly overhead. UV rays have nothing to do with the heat or the brightness of the sun but rather with the angle of the sun’s rays. So, be careful not to over do during those peak hours.

The most common type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. Over one million people per year get diagnosed with some type of skin cancer which results in about 10,000 deaths. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is considered to the most dangerous form and account for over 75% of skin cancer deaths.

Melanoma develops in melanocyte cells. These cells actually create melanin or the skin pigmentation that gives our body its hue. When you are exposed to the UV rays of the sun, your skin produces melanin in an attempt to protect the skin and keep it from burning. This ends up damaging the DNA skin cells. However, the sun is not the only thing that emits harmful UV rays. Tanning booths, beds and lamps do also. That means that indoor tanning can be harmful as well.

When your skin is exposed repeatedly to harmful UV rays, there is a risk for skin cancer. However, with some people the risk is even greater. People who have many moles are at a higher risk because certain moles called dysplastic nevi has the potential of turning into melanoma.

This update by Jessica Gray regarding skin cancer just came in from the reports of Healthy Montana.

Last July, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization (WHO), added tanning beds to its Group 1 list, meaning the use of tanning beds is considered a dangerous carcinogen for humans. Other examples of Group 1 carcinogens include radon and tobacco smoke.

“Our culture changed in the 1920s, with the popularity of convertible cars and Coco Chanel’s bathing attire that no longer covered the whole person. Suddenly, it wasn’t fashionable to have a creamy white complexion,” said Karrie Fairbrother of Helena. A nurse educator who travels around the state focusing on skin cancer prevention and early detection, Fairbrother is the former president of the Dermatology Nurse’s Association.

“I challenge young kids,” Fairbrother said, to be the changing force in their families. Just as seatbelts have saved lives, she continued, “If we can change the way society views tanning, we will save lives.”

During the 2009 Montana Legislative Session, Fairbrother worked along with Sen. Lynda Moss from Billings to start a bill that would restrict the use of tanning beds by minors. They were unsuccessful.

The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) ray. It is an invisible energy which is generated by our sun that can burn our skin in a long period. Each year, there are increased cases in skin cancer in USA.  The most common skin cancer is non-melanoma skin cancer, also known as Squamous Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Too much exposure of ultraviolet can cause damage on our skin DNA which functions to maintain the health of the skin by controlling its growth. There are two kinds of UV, ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B. It was once believed that UVB is the one which causes the skin cancer. However, recent researches prove that both rays are responsible.

Several other causes of skin cancer are high x-ray exposure, immune system suppression, arsenic contact, and genetics. The types of people which more likely to develop skin cancer are the ones with blond hair, fair skin, green eyes, and those albinos. They usually have skin which is easily burnt or shows freckles. However, ultraviolet ray is still the biggest cause in developing skin cancer. Therefore, do not let your skin exposed to the sun in a long time and keep your head covered from the midday sun.