MEDICINE AND HEALTH

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Introduction

Skin cancer is caused by the cancerous cells development in any skin layer. It exists in two forms: melanoma and non-melanoma. The most dangerous of these is malignant melanoma, or black mole cancer. Non-melanoma cancer is less malignant, but far more common. Mostly white skin people, who are exposed to sunlight for most of the time, are the victims of skin cancer. Although it may appear anywhere on the skin, it is more commonly seen on the hands, arms, face, and neck.Discussion

There are two types of skin cancer, i.e. non-melanoma and melanoma. The most dangerous of these is malignant melanoma. It originates in skin cells called melanocytes, make the dark pigment called melanin that is like a tan when under direct sun. It is the most severe skin cancer. It predominantly affects young people, instead of older people (Lever and Farr, 1994). The ultra violet (UV) rays are taken as the primary causative agent of the skin cancer, as too much exposure to it by virtue of the sun appears to cause changes to melanocyte cells (Fears and Scotto, 1983). These cells may turn into cancer, as they grow.

Microbial organisms; naming Human Papillomavirus, Lyme disease bacteria, B. Burgdorferi and Herpes Viruses, are responsible for causing skin cancer among humans.

Microbes Natural Reservoir

A microbe natural reservoir is any host or habitat in which an infectious microbe normally lives, including humans, animals, or something in the environment. Microbes that operate in this manner can recur at any time.

Transmission

Skin cancer does not pass from the infected person to any other individual. However, it is transferrable genetically, from parents or family (Tan, Tham et.al, 1995). Individuals who are blonde or have red hair, blue or green eyes, and freckles are likely to get affected by skin cancer.Symptoms

The first sign of skin cancer is most often a skin manifestation as a new growth, a sore cut that does not heal or modification of an existing growth. The skin cancer can arise anywhere in the body, but usually it develops in regions most exposed to the sun as head, face, neck, hands, arms and legs.

The skin cancers do not all look the same. Basal cell carcinomas often appear as bumps or small craters; the surface is shiny or pearly (Oettle, 1963). Squamous cell carcinomas are usually reddish and scaly lesions. Signs of skin cancer include the following.

Bump or lifeless smooth, shiny, pale or waxy skin.

Red painful blister.

Wound does not heal.

Lesion or lump that bleeds or ...