Melanoma essay 1 - Grade: A1 PDF

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Summary

Melanoma grows similarly to other kinds of cancer. The DNA genes of a cell that regulate the division and reproduction of cells are damaged. The damaged genes divide and grow the cell without control or order and eventually become a malignant tumor....

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TASK 4 B MELANOMA Melanoma grows similarly to other kinds of cancer. The DNA genes of a cell that regulate the division and reproduction of cells are damaged. The damaged genes divide and grow the cell without control or order and eventually become a malignant tumor. Melanoma's first sign is typically a new spot on the skin, or a change in an existing mole's size, shape, or colour. The ABCDE method can help to determine if melanoma can be an abnormal skin growth:     

Asymmetry: The mole has an irregular shape. Border: The edge is not smooth, but irregular or notched. Color: The mole has uneven shading or dark spots. Diameter: The spot is larger than the size of a pencil eraser. Evolving or Elevation: The spot is changing in size, shape or texture.

Other melanoma symptoms may include:     

Sores that do not heal Pigment, redness or swelling that spreads outside the border of a spot to the surrounding skin Itchiness, tenderness or pain Changes in texture, or scales, oozing or bleeding from an existing mole Blurry vision or partial loss of sight, or dark spots in the iris

In the case of melanoma, DNA damage is usually caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation overexposure, and the affected cells are melanocytes that produce the melanin pigment. Usually the first tumor that grows is in the skin. Unless captured, melanoma will develop and spread along the epidermis before penetrating deeper layers of the skin and eventually reaching lymph and blood vessels.

Sunlight contains 3 types of UV light:   

ultraviolet A (UVA) ultraviolet B (UVB) ultraviolet C (UVC)

UVC is most hazardous to the skin, but the Earth's atmosphere filters it out. UVA and UVB harm pale skin over time, increasing the likelihood of developing skin cancers. UVB is considered to be the

primary cause of general skin cancer, but it is not yet known whether UVA also plays a part in melanoma causes. Also, artificial light sources such as sunlamps and tanning beds boost your risk of skin cancer development. Repeated sunburn, either by the sun or by artificial light sources, raises melanoma danger in individuals of all ages. If you have lots of moles on your body, especially if they are large (over 5 mm) or exceptionally shaped, you are at an enhanced danger of melanoma. You're also more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer if you have:         

a close relative who's had melanoma skin cancer pale skin that doesn't tan easily red or blonde hair blue eyes a large number of freckles previously damaged your skin through sunburn or radiotherapy treatment a condition that suppresses your immune system, such as HIV, or you take medicines that suppress your immune system (immunosuppressants) a previous diagnosis of skin cancer the risk of developing skin cancer also increases with age.

Reducing exposure to UV radiation can substantially reduce the risk of skin cancer development. It ensures that sun exposure is limited and indoor tanning appliances are avoided. This is important for people of all ages and is especially important for people with other melanoma risk factors. Therefore, it is important to take the following steps to reduce sun exposure and to prevent sunburn:  

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  

Limit or avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, neck, and ears. Clothes made from fabric labeled with UV protection factor (UPF) may provide better protection. UV-protective sunglasses are also recommended. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the year that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Reapply at least 1 ounce of sunscreen to your entire body every 2 hours or every hour after heavy perspiration or after being in the water. Avoid recreational outdoor sunbathing. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning salons. Examine your skin regularly. This should include examinations by a health care professional, as well as self-examinations. Learn more about melanoma screening.

REFERENCES: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes/ https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/about-melanoma/melanoma-develops/ https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-healthy-living/protecting-your-skinsun https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/melanoma/symptoms...