| Statistics shows that there is one American dies | | | | basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of |
| every 65 minutes and an estimate of 60,000 | | | | skin cancer and looks like a sore or a waxy, red |
| people worldwide dies annually due to skin cancer. | | | | bump on the skin as showed on the picture. |
| The figure is rapidly increasing for everyone is | | | | Though, it grows slowly, but it can spread and |
| prone to skin cancer. Even Though, this is | | | | affect other tissues. |
| treatable but people awareness of the disease is | | | | Another form of skin cancer is Squamous cell |
| low. | | | | carcinoma. It looks like a red patch or lumps on |
| This is caused by too much exposure to the sun | | | | the skin and also grows slowly. |
| which emits ultraviolet radiation. It commonly | | | | Both of these types have the size of about 1 |
| develops on areas such as scalp, head, shoulders | | | | centimeter diameter or smaller on its first stage. |
| and arms which are sun-exposed. But, it can also | | | | If the diameter reaches 2 centimeters, the cancer |
| grow anywhere even on not ordinarily expose to | | | | cells are on its stage 2 and about to affect other |
| the sun area of the skin. Light skin toned people | | | | organs, bones and ligaments. So, it is best to treat |
| have higher risk of acquiring skin cancer but in | | | | it before it reaches the next stage. |
| some cases dark-skinned people are also likely to | | | | Melanoma is the most fatal type of skin cancer |
| acquire it. | | | | for it rapidly affects the other organs and travels |
| Fortunately, even on early stages, this is highly | | | | through the lymph system. It is oftentimes |
| detectable. One can have a preliminary self | | | | mistaken as a mole. But unlike moles, it is |
| check-up on his skin and detect suspicious lesions | | | | changing, multicolored and has irregular shape. It |
| or moles. Once, an unusual mole or lesion is | | | | has a thickness of 2 millimeters on its first stage. |
| detected, the health provider can confirm on the | | | | The thickness of melanoma continually grows. In |
| earlier stage and place early treatment as well. | | | | the picture, the thickness of the melanoma is |
| With this, there is about 100% rate of curability. | | | | between 2 and 4 millimeters and is now on stage |
| It is also important to know on what stage the | | | | II. On this stage, the cancer cells are still confined |
| cancer is to plan its treatment well. Generally, it is | | | | in the skin but anytime will spread beyond the |
| done through biopsy. Biopsy is done by taking a | | | | skin. |
| sample tissue to the cancerous area. The sample | | | | We can alter and define statistics through early |
| is then examined through the aid of microscope | | | | treatment and awareness is our best weapon in |
| by a pathologist. | | | | winning the battle against this disease. |
| There are several types of skin cancer. One is | | | | |