Everybody loves spending time outdoor on a hot summer day. Whether it is at the local swimming pool or just trying to get that perfect tan, too much sun is bad for your skin. If you are exposed to too much of the harmful ultraviolet sunrays, you can develop not only a really bad sunburn, but it may also lead to skin cancer.
Skin cancer is something most people don’t even think about because they think that it won
I can not comment about skin cancer social networking but can tell you that with rare cancers social networking can save a patients life. The social networking cancer groups support one another, empower by sharing information and stories about their own cancer journeys. Through social networking we learned about experimental treatments that others had tried . .and we took that information back to the doctors office with us. Social networking, especially with the rare cancers, is instant . .you can always find someone who will answer your questions or encourage you to seek out different options. Many of the patients I communicate regularly with have very, very few treatment options . . many of them have not survived their disease. Through social networking we were able to piece together treatments that might work against those that we knew were not working . . . long before any clinical trial evidence became publically available. We also shared clinical trial information . . what was working or what was failing . . and unfortunately with my sons type of cancer almost everything has failed. I would say through the support groups I've been a member of . . I have seen vast improvements in treatment options over the last four or five years . . and most of the information was learned from the experiences of group members as opposed to being presented the information from our pediatric oncologist. This way of learning also helped when we did consult with the oncologists because we became familiar with the medical terminology and could understand more clearly what the oncologist proposed to do. Social networking has helped in understanding the treatments . . if a doctor didn't explain it clearly, often another patient could explain it.
Doctors clearly have an understanding of the medical process, but many of them are definitely behind when it comes to social networking about cancer . . many have yet to embrace the phenomenon of cancer support groups sharing information online. Our sons doctor often asked us what other doctors were doing in other parts of the country since she knew we were in communication with other patients. And our doctor always listened to us . . she was able to process the information we shared with her and do her own research to verify what we shared. Through this means my son was offered an experimental treatment called intra abdominal hyperthermic chemoperfusion . . something that had never been done for his age group or disease type . . and I believe that this treatment extended his life by three years.
Social networking is important, how important remains to be seen. It also seems like in terms of treatment that we were more involved with our doctor . . we felt more in control of the process and more a part of a team fighting for our sons life instead of just letting the doctor decide everything.
Skin cancer is malignant neoplasms (abnormal tissue growths) of the skin & are the most common form of cancer. The major cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. All skin cancers occur predominantly in exposed skin, mostly on the face, the backs of the hands, & the upper rim of the ear. Melanoma, is the most serious skin cancer. There are two other types. Basal cell carcinoma (abbreviated BCC & often called Rodent ulcer) usually begins as a small, raised, shiney nodule that grows slowly, usually becoming ulcerated & crusted with a raised, pearly border. Without treatment the cancer can extend through skin to destroy underlying muscle & bone.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often develops in the persistent scaly patches known as sun spots or solar keratoses, which enlarge & become raised or warty before eventually ulcerating. This kind of cancer cell invades underlying tissues, & SCC is more likely than BCC to spread to other parts of the body. Diagnosis of BCC & SCC is by biopsy, & treatment is by cautery (heat), cryotherapy (freezing), surgical excision or, occasionally, radiotherapy.
Malignant melanoma most often develops on exposed skin, but can occur anywhere on the body surface including under nails or in the eye. The cancer may arise in an existing mole, which may outline, bleed, itch or form a scab. Half of all melanomas begin in normal skin. Any change in a mole or the appearance of a new, rapidly growing pigmented spot must be reported to your doctor without delay, as early diagnosis & treatment are essential to prevent the melanoma from spreading to lymph glands & other organs. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy, & treatment consists of removing the melanoma surgically. If it has spread, anti-cancer drugs may be needed. The cure rate for malignant melanomas that have not spread beyond the surface of the skin is close to 100%. Vaccines to combat the cancer are being studied.
Regards, Starlet..