Learn about skin cancer and related complications. We'll also give you tips on managing skin cancer risks and preventing or successfully recovering from it.
Skin Cancer and Its Treatment
The causes of skin cancer are overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and tanning beds. But the good thing about skin cancer is that chances of recovery are high if detected early. The stage and type of cancer determine the treatment method.
The main skin cancer treatment methods include:
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
A combination of these therapies
Surgery is the most common skin cancer treatment. Surgery aims to remove all cancerous tissue while protecting the healthy tissue as much as possible.
What Causes Skin Cancer
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation is the invisible part of sunlight that causes sunburns and damage to skin cells, leading to genetic mutations that can cause cancerous cells to grow and spread.
Some skin cancer risk factors include
A fair skin
A family history of the disease
Spending long periods in the sun
Using tanning beds.
A past record of skin cancer infection.
What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
The main identity for skin cancer is a new spot or growth on the skin that appears suddenly and persists. Other symptoms of skin cancer that depend on the cancer type include:
A persistent sore that doesn’t heal.
A change in properties such as shape, size, color and texture of existing moles.
An itching, burning, or tender spot
A red patch of skin that may bleed or develop into a sore
Small lumps that may be itchy and can have black, brown, or tan color
You should develop concerns if you notice the above changes on your skin lasting more than two weeks.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer
If you closely follow medical advice, you can successfully prevent skin cancer. The following deliberate measures can help reduce skin cancer risks.
Minimize exposure to the sun during peak hours (usually 10 AM to 4 PM).
Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats when exposed to the sun.
Make use of sunscreen. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 to the exposed skin and often reapply throughout the day.
UV radiation reflects off surfaces like water, sand, snow, and concrete; hence, take precautions in these environments.
Rest under a shade whenever possible.
It may be impossible to avoid the sun completely, but you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by taking the above measures.
How to Treat Skin Cancer
The type of treatment depends on the type and severity of your cancer. The following treatment methods are commonly used.
Surgery: Surgery comes as the first treatment option, and it involves removing the affected tissue to prevent the spread of cancer cells. During surgery, the doctor may also remove lymph nodes to test for any further spread of cancer.
Radiation therapy: This treatment method uses high-energy radiation beams to target and kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Chemotherapy: This treatment involves administering certain drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with radiation therapy as it can help to target more difficult-to-reach cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: This treatment method boosts the body's ability to fight cancer cells and can work in combination with other treatments. It stimulates the body's natural immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Topical treatments: These methods use creams or ointments to treat skin cancer. They directly target and destroy the cancer cells, and you can use them with other treatments for maximum effect.
Consulting your doctor is necessary for advice on the appropriate treatment method. Note that early diagnosis and treatment determine the success rate in managing skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Is Not a Death Sentence
Skin cancer may be a frightening diagnosis, but it’s not a death sentence. Early detection and proper treatment are critical to successfully treating skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.
