By Natalie C., Cami A., and Franco S. Skin Cancer

What is Skin Cancer? Skin Cancer is the result of DNA becoming damaged. If the body cannot repair the damage, the cancers will grow. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably.

History of Skin Cancer Skin Cancer has not been well recorded in history. They have found Peru Mummies with evidences of skin cancer. French physician René Laennec was the first to identify the cancer. Later Scottish anatomist and surgeon John Hunter in 1787 identified as cancerous fungus

Signs and Symptoms Skin cancer usually develops in areas exposed to the sun including face, chest, shoulders, and arms. It can also form in areas not usually exposed to the sun including palms and beneath finger nails. It may look like a raised, smooth pearly bump or a red thickened patch on the skin and may have small blood vessels visible. When any unusual bumps of moles on the skin is noticed, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible. An environmental factor of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Being exposed to the sun's rays for long periods of time can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer can also run in families and be passed down.

Environmental Factors & Heredity Environmental: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun Being exposed to the sun’s rays for long periods of time can cause skin cancer Heredity: Skin Cancer can run in families It is hard to tell the difference between Environmental and Heredity Studies show that it is estimated that genes account for about ½ of the risk for skin cancer

Statistics Basal cell and Squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer Their cure rate is a little over 90% for cases detected and treated early One in five people in the course of their lifetime will develop some form of skin cancer Sun exposure causes more than 90% of all skin cancers

Dealing With Short Term Cancer If you find out or believe you may have skin cancer the most important thing to do is to consult a physician immediately. The doctor will recommend the next course of treatment.

Dealing With Long Term Cancer Long term cancer is found when the cancer cells have not been noticed for a long period of time. By this time the cells will have grown to other parts of the body and deep into the skin. You most likely have to have surgery to include removing the muscle in the area.

Impact on people Most people can detect skin cancer in the earliest stages. It usually doesn’t affect how they live but if it is detected early it can be harmless. If skin cancer is not treated early it can grow deep into the skin and spread throughout the body. People usually live a normal life and just have to stay out of the sun.

Treatment of Skin Cancer Mohs Surgery--a procedure where the cancerous skin cells are removed layer by layer Simple Excision--Cuts out the tumor and neighboring skin around it. Cryosurgery--treatment that freezes and destroys abnormal tissue

Role of Diet Eating a healthy diet can sometimes reduce skin cancer. It is scientifically proven that it will help reduce you chances of being diagnosed. Have your diet rich in antioxidants Eat fish regularly Eating Omega-3 The Mediterranean Diet

Role of Exercise Studies have shown that there is a definite link between skin cancer and exercise. Exercise works to kill precancerous cells.

Role of Medicine Prescription Medicines Pills Creams Prescription Examples of Prescription Medicines for Skin Cancer: Efudex Carac Fluorplex

Family Support Like in all cases of illness family support can help heal or at least make the person more comfortable. It is good to find out the need of the family member to help him or her feel better. Staying with, cooking for, and caring for the patient are all ways to help a family member with skin cancer.

WOW! I was surprised that skin cancer can be easily treated with surgery. I thought that all cancers were deadly. One interesting fact I found was that you can use prescription medicines to help cure skin cancer. They may not completely cure the cancer but they can help prevent it from spreading. I learned that skin cancer can develop in places on your body not exposed to the sun, like the palms of your hands

Bibliography " Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Sept "Caffine And Exercise May Prevent Skin Cancer." Medical News Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept "What To Eat To Beat Skin Cancer." Fitness Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Sept foods/?page=2 foods/?page=2 cancers, certain. "Skin Cancer Information from Drugs.com." Drugs.com | Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side Effects. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Sept "Skin Cancer Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Skin Cancer Symptoms on EMedicineHealth." EMedicine Health. Chase. Web. 05 Sept Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Skin Cancer: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Web. 05 Sept "Skin Cancer Statistics." Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, & Tummy Tuck Resource. Web. 05 Sept Rodriguez, Diana. "Skin Cancer Symptoms and Early Skin Cancer Signs - Skin Cancer Center - EverydayHealth.com." Health Information, Resources, Tools & News Online - EverydayHealth.com. Citracal. Web. 05 Sept

Bibliography continued "What Is Skin Cancer?" SkinCarePhysicians.com. Web. 03 Sept "Skin Cancer." The Dr. Jan De Winter Cancer Prevention Foundation. Web. 03 Sept "Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 03 Sept erPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection- intro erPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection- intro Merki, Mary Bronson. "Detecting And Treating Cancer." Teen health. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, Print.