Skin cancer virtual lab PDF

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Skin Cancer Lab assignment...

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Skin Cancer WebQuest Go to Skin Cancer Investigation (http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/skindeep/interactive/index.html) Begin with the Healthy Skin section and read about the three layers of the skin by clicking on the image of the skin on the right. (½ point each) 1. What are the types of cells in the epidermis and how are they related to each other? The types of cells in the epidermis are the basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes. The basal cells are at the bottom of the epidermis meaning they divide and form squamous cells, the basal cells also contain melanocytes. 2. What is melanin and what is its role in the epidermis? Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin the color it has, it also is what protects our skin from being damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet. 3. What is keratin and what does it do? Keratin is a protein that reinforces skin cells to provide protection from the sun. 4. What are the two primary features of the dermis? Two primary features of the dermis are the fibers that give our skin strength and elasticity, it also contains nerve fibers which is what gives us our sense of touch. 5. Describe the subcutaneous tissue. The subcutaneous tissue is the bottom layer of the skin and it is mostly made up of fat. You can find nerves, blood vessels, and the roots of sweat glands/hair.

Click on the right arrow at the bottom of the screen. Go to the section Effects of the Sun on the Skin, and watch the animation about the benefits of the sun and risks of sunlight. 6. Name the main benefits of sunlight. The main benefits of sunlight are how it gives life, light, and warmth, and helps the plant grow. 7. What are some of the benefits of the sun's UV rays? The sun’s UV rays enable our skin to produce vitamin D, which is what is essential for healthy bones. 8. How are these rays harmful? The sun’s rays can suntans, sunburns, damage to the eyes, premature aging, and skin cancer if exposed excessively. Now go to the section titled Causes and read about how over‐exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Watch the animation on how normal cells multiply and divide to replace damaged or dead cells. 9. How do UV rays affect normal cell division? UV rays can affect the normal cell division if too much sun is exposed to unprotected skin, which then leads to damaged cellular DNA. 10. Why do some people have a greater chance of developing skin cancer compared to others? Some people may have a greater chance of developing skin cancers compared to others since skin that has already been sunburned already has a higher chance of getting skin cancer. People who have more exposure to the sun or other UV radiation can also cause skin cancer.

Continue on to Tumors and answer this question: 11. What are the main differences between benign and malignant tumors? The main differences between benign and malignant tumors are that benign tumors are not life-threatening, it isn’t recurring, it doesn’t spread to other parts of the body, and it doesn’t interfere with the regular functions of the body. while malignant tumors are life-threatening, do recur, spreads to other parts of the body, and interferes with the regular functions of the body. Now click on and read the Common Risk Factors. Click on each factor to learn more about the risks. 12. What are the five most common modifiable risk factors of skin cancer? The five most common modifiable risk factors of skin cancer are actinic keratosis, genetics, environment, complexion, and age. 13. How can where you live increase your chances of developing skin cancer? Where you live can increase your chances of developing skin cancer since some environments expose people to higher levels of sunlight than others. 14. How does genetics play a role? Genetics is one of the 5 common modifiable risk factors since people who have a family history of skin cancer are at a higher risk of getting this cancer. 15. What is actinic keratosis? Actinic Keratosis is a rough, scaly, and slightly raised growth. If not treated in time, it can be cancerous.

Click on Skin Cancer: Types 16. What are the main warning signs of skin cancer? The main warning signs of skin cancer is a change of the skin such as having a mole, sore, lump, or growth. Any change in appearance can be a warning sign. 17. Name the three types of skin cancer. The three basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma 18. What are the characteristics of basal cell carcinoma? The characteristics of basal cell carcinoma are painless, slow-growing cancer, usually found on the exposed parts of the body (scalp, ears, face, neck, shoulders, and back), and can possibly be found on unexposed parts of the body because of exposure to arsenic and radiation. 19. Click on and review the six samples of basal cells. How might you know you have basal cell carcinoma? You might know if you have basal cell carcinoma if the color is unusual(Pink, red, brown, white, etc) having irregular borders/ shiny edges, and if the wound is not healing/still bleeding. Squamous cell carcinoma 20. In which layer of skin do squamous cell carcinomas originate? The squamous cell carcinomas originate in the middle layer of the epidermis. 21. Among which populations is this form of cancer most common? This form of cancer is most common among the African American population and people of Indian heritage. 22. Describe where squamous cells might be found on the body.

The squamous cells might be found on exposed parts of the body. It can be found on skin that has been exposed to strong sun, X rays, injuries, and scars. 23. Why should people be more aware of squamous cell carcinoma? More people should be more aware of squamous cell carcinoma since it grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. Also, people with lighter skin, eyes, and hair can be at a higher risk. 24. Why should you be concerned about squamous cell carcinoma? Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer, it is also now becoming more common for younger people to get squamous cell carcinoma. 25. What should individuals look for when checking for squamous cell carcinoma on their skin? They should look for changes in already existing moles, warts, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a rough, scaly, reddish patch that grows larger. 26. Click on and review the five samples of squamous cell carcinoma. What characteristics might alert you to this kind of skin cancer? Squamous cell carcinoma has a yellowish crater (inside) and a red, irregular border, a scab-like center, irritating edges that constantly bleed and do not heal. Melanoma and the Danger Signs 27. Why is melanoma the most dangerous form of skin cancer? Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer since it is the fastest-growing skin cancer. 28. In which layer does melanoma originate? Melanoma originates in the basal cell layer, in the melanocyte cells. 29. Who is more susceptible to melanoma? People with a family history of skin cancer, people with light skin, eyes, and hair, people who have had three or more blister sunburns before age 20 are more susceptible to melanoma. 30. What are the four types of melanoma? The four types of melanoma are superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, and acral lentiginous melanoma. 31. What are the ABCD symptoms? The ABCD symptoms are asymmetrical shape, irregular borders, multiple colors on the growth, and when the diameter of the growth is blogger than 6mm. 32. Click on and review the five samples of melanoma. What strikes you most about these samples? Most of these samples have a darker scar color such as brown or even black. Melanoma can be asymmetrical, flat, raised, and even light or dark-colored. 33. Name some warning signs of melanoma. Some warning signs of melanoma include a mole changing in color or size, raised area with or without color, diagnosing melanoma can be difficult for people with darker skin tones so paying attention to any changes in size is very important. Skin Cancer: Prevention and Detection 34. What are the best ways to protect yourself from skin cancer? The best ways to protect yourself from skin cancer could be to wear sunscreen, wear sunglasses, if you can wear longsleeved shirts to protect your arms, wear pants if possible to cover up your legs (we don’t need you getting a heat stroke, only do it if it’s not as hot where it can be dangerous)

Applied Understanding: (2pts each) Now go to the Glowell Clinic: Lab Click on any patient file where an image of a growth will appear along with the patient's history. Review the list of symptoms and check those that describe the growth. Decide whether the growth is cancerous or not. Select the next patient and complete the same steps. Finally, go to the Glowell Clinic: Helpdesk Select Caller 1. Select answers to the caller's questions. Read the answer in the box on the right side of the screen. 35. Carla goes to the beach with some friends. When they arrive at noon, Carla lies down on the blanket exposed to the full summer sun. As one of Carla’s friends, you offer her sunscreen but she declines saying, “I don’t sunburn. I’m from Brazil so my naturally dark complexion protects me from the sun.” You recall what you have learned about skin cancer from this lesson. What would you say to Carla? No matter the skin tone, you still have a possibility of getting sunburned. The dark complexion that she has isn’t what protects her from the sun, her beautiful dark complexion is created by melanin but our skin can only protect us so much. That’s where sunscreen comes in, we need that extra layer of protection from UV rays. 36. Mike complains about an itchy pimple on the back of his neck that just won’t go away. He says the pimple is in the same spot as a birthmark that’s been there as long as he can remember. You ask him how long he’s had the itchy pimple and he tells you it’s been a month or two. Based upon what you learned in this lesson, what advice would you give to Mike? That birthmark that he has had could have possibly turned into that itchy bump. Since his birthmark has turned into a bump and it’s itchy that could mean that it has grown and that bump being there for a month or two is also something to be worrying about. I would suggest to keep on watching it closely and pay attention to any more changes and to see a doctor just so they can check up on it....