| There are several options available for the detection, | | | | cancer cells. |
| diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. The following | | | | There is one thing in common with all of the above |
| are the normal procedures employed to determine | | | | mentioned traditional treatment options for skin |
| whether a patient has skin cancer: | | | | cancer they are generally invasive. |
| Skin examination by a qualified individual to check for | | | | Although there is nothing wrong with the |
| bumps or spots that may look unusual in terms of | | | | methodology, alternative methods of skin cancer |
| color, size, shape, or texture. | | | | treatment, which are now gaining acceptance in the |
| A pathological examination (biopsy) procedure on a | | | | West, espouse a holistic approach in the treatment |
| portion of the abnormal-looking growth to determine | | | | of skin cancer or an illness. A holistic approach is |
| the presence of cancer cells. This can be | | | | geared towards the mental, physical and emotion |
| accomplished in any of 3 methods: shave biopsy | | | | aspects of the patient and not just the physical |
| wherein a surgical razor is used to shave-off parts of | | | | symptoms of the illness. |
| the suspected growth; punch biopsy wherein an | | | | They proceed from the premise that an individual |
| instrument called a trephine is used to remove a circle | | | | gets sick simply because his immune system is weak |
| of tissue from the growth and excisional biopsy | | | | and can not fight the virus that attacks the system. |
| wherein the entire growth is removed surgically with | | | | For treatment to be successful, it is therefore |
| the use of a scalpel. | | | | necessary to strengthen a persons immune system |
| Treatment and recovery of skin cancer depends | | | | including emotional and physical resources in order to |
| significantly on the conditions or stage of the cancer, | | | | combat threats to the body. |
| there is no sure fire method of treating and | | | | In the traditional model of Western medicine, once |
| managing skin cancer as each case is unique to the | | | | skin cancer is diagnosed and determined the only |
| individual and is also influenced by factors such as the | | | | acceptable form of treatment is the clinical model. |
| type of the cancer, location and size of the tumor | | | | However, a study of the alternative approaches to |
| (whether it has metastasized or not) and the | | | | prevention and treatment reveal that in consonance |
| patients overall health and physical condition. | | | | with the traditional method both can be very |
| In the traditional method of treatment, there are | | | | effective in treating advanced skin cancer. |
| four options available. | | | | Medical experts are aware that certain minerals and |
| Surgery: There are various surgical procedures | | | | antioxidant vitamins that can be derived from fruits |
| employed for the treatment of the non-melanoma | | | | and vegetables help repair damaged body tissues and |
| type of skin cancer. | | | | promote the regeneration of healthy skin. |
| For superficial skin cancer Mohs micrographic surgery | | | | Now, medical practitioners are advocating the use of |
| is the most common procedure wherein the tumor is | | | | alternative methods of skin cancer prevention and |
| gradually incised from the affected area of the skin in | | | | treatment through a healthy diet and active lifestyle |
| very thin layers and examined microscopically to | | | | in order to protect individuals from the harmful |
| verify the presence or absence of cancer cells. The | | | | effects of sunlight the number one factor directly |
| procedure continues until the presence of cancer cells | | | | related to skin cancer development. |
| is negative. | | | | An active and healthy lifestyle and regular exercise is |
| Simple excision is the surgical removal of a tumor | | | | necessary in order to combat skin cancer since even |
| including some of the surrounding skin tissues. | | | | stress cause the weakening of the immune system |
| Shaving the surface of the affected skin area with a | | | | which then makes individuals more prone to sickness. |
| surgical blade. | | | | With proper exercise such as yoga, tai chi, running |
| Cutting the tumor from the skin with a sharp tool | | | | and even acupuncture, the bodys immune system |
| resembling a small spoon and then treating the edges | | | | can be made stronger even if skin cancer is already |
| of the immediate area of the cut with electrical | | | | at an advanced stage. |
| current to stop and control bleeding and destroy | | | | Coupled with a healthy and nutritious diet, individuals |
| remaining cancer cells. | | | | stand a better chance to fight skin cancer and |
| Another option is cryosurgery whereby the abnormal | | | | strengthen the immune system to fight off the |
| tissues are destroyed through freezing. | | | | malignant cancer cells. |
| Using laser to cut affected skin tissue or remove | | | | One of the more promising discoveries is the effect |
| malignant tumor. | | | | of green tea towards skin cancer. Taken orally or |
| Removal of the top layer of skin using a sander-type | | | | applied topically, green tea shows a striking effect on |
| tool or skin defoliants to remove affected skin cells. | | | | the skin in relation to cancer and carcinogens because |
| Radiation: Radiation cancer treatment therapy is the | | | | it is a natural antioxidant. Green tea antioxidants |
| use of x-rays or radiation to destroy cancer cells. | | | | (medical term green tea polyphenols) show a |
| These can either be external by using a machine | | | | remarkable ability to prevent and inhibit the growth |
| outside of the body or internal by introducing | | | | of various types of skin cancers from basal cell |
| radioactive elements into or near the affected area. | | | | carcinoma to melanoma in tests carried out on |
| Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to | | | | animals and human patients. |
| control the spread of cancer cells in the body. It can | | | | However, those already suffering from skin cancer |
| either be applied topically as a cream or lotion, orally | | | | should never self medicate. It is good practice to |
| or by intravenous and/or intramuscular injection into | | | | consult with your doctor regarding the use of |
| the patients vein or muscle. | | | | traditional and alternative form of treatments since |
| Photodynamic Therapy: The use of drugs in | | | | there may be an interference effect between the |
| combination with laser to destroy cancer cells. The | | | | two when taken together. Discussing any alternative |
| drug is injected into the patients vein and remains | | | | treatment options with your cancer doctor ensures |
| inactive until it is subjected to laser via fiber optic | | | | faster recovery and future prevention. |
| tubes at which time it becomes active and kills the | | | | |