| Is the population finally paying attention? | | | | The only cure for any form of skin cancer is to |
| Skin cancer deaths have slowed down and our | | | | completely remove it before it spreads. In the case |
| doctors say it is because we are paying more | | | | of solar keratosis, this type can be removed through |
| attention to to the possible cause. | | | | cryosurgery; that is, freezing it off with liquid |
| The National Institutes of Health indicates that skin | | | | nitrogen. This is a temporary measure as, in my case, |
| cancer is the most common form of cancer in the | | | | these skin lesions return in a few month's time. A |
| United States. Basil and squamous cell carcinomas are | | | | second treatment involves a very aggressive skin |
| the most often diagnosed forms of skin cancer, and | | | | cream that actually devours the lesions and |
| while melanoma is less common, it is the most deadly. | | | | surrounding skin. This treatment takes three to four |
| Pre-cancers appear in the form of actinic or solar | | | | weeks, and when used on the face, the patient |
| keratosis, which, if left untreated, may develop into | | | | looks like he tangled with a mentally deranged cat |
| squamous cell carcinomas. | | | | with sharp claws. |
| The skin cancer expert | | | | Basil cells can also be removed with cryosurgery if |
| If I have any expertise concerning skin cancer, it | | | | they are not too advanced. But most often they |
| comes from nearly 30 years of dealing with it. | | | | have to be cut out too. |
| Although I have lost count, I have had at least four | | | | Squamous cells and melanomas are removed |
| squamous cell, one basil cell and four melanomas.. | | | | surgically. My last surgery for melanoma removal |
| That's the bad news. The good news is I am still | | | | involved three surgeries in order to get it all. I have a |
| alive! | | | | seven inch scar (shaped like the number 7) up into |
| If you or a loved one has melanoma, then take | | | | the hairline on the left side of my head. |
| heart. I survived it four times. So can you. | | | | Preventative Measures |
| Medical science is still not totally sure what really | | | | OK, so let's assume that our health care profession is |
| causes skin cancer. Current theory is that it results | | | | partially correct in saying that UV radiation from the |
| from exposure to harmful UV radiation from the Sun. | | | | sun is the cause of skin cancer; there are |
| But if this is the case, why does it sometimes appear | | | | preventative steps we can take--just in case they |
| inside the mouth, the eyes or in one case I recently | | | | are right. |
| read about, on the soles of the feet. | | | | |
| Nearly 9000 people die every year from melanoma | | | | 1. When outdoors cover all exposed areas. A white |
| According to Cancer.com, a website developed by | | | | "T" shirt is useless in this regard. To protect yourself |
| Ortho Biotech Products, Melanoma, the most serious | | | | from UV radiation, wear dark colored, tightly woven, |
| type of skin cancers, accounted for about 68,720 | | | | lightweight fabrics. UV light easily penetrates loosely |
| cases of skin cancer in 2009 with about 8,650 | | | | woven, light colored garments. |
| melanoma deaths. | | | | 2. If skin is exposed, lather-up with a good quality sun |
| This much is certain, this isn't an epidemic, but that | | | | blocker with a protective factor of at least UPF 30 |
| knowledge is little comfort to people like me. Once | | | | 3. Wear a broad-brimmed hat that protects the head, |
| melanoma cells reach the lymph nodes and have | | | | ears and neck. |
| spread through the body, which happens if it is not | | | | 4. Re-examine your diet. Some cancers can be |
| caught soon enough, the usual cancer treatment | | | | prevented by following a diet rich in vitamins, minerals |
| regimen will begin. This includes chemotherapy, | | | | and above all-anti-oxidants. And avoid or neutralize |
| radiation and so on...followed by getting one's affairs | | | | acidic foods. |
| in order. | | | | |