The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it is the body first line of defense against heat, cold, trauma, as well as against toxins, chemicals, and pollutants. It makes the body water proof and leak proof. However, the skin has a potential enemy-the sun. But is not sun light essential to life?
Yes, it is. According to The Merk Manual: The most type of cancer in the world is the skin cancer. In the United States, 1 out of every 6 to 7 people gets some form of skin cancer. But rates are increasing. According to Dr. I William Lane in the book The Skin Cancer Answer, “ it is now estimated that 50 percent of people who reach the age of sixty-five will develop some form of skin cancer.” Malignant melanoma causes some 7,500 deaths yearly in that country and is on the rise, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The three most common types of skin cancer are: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma is the deadliest of all types of cancer, if it is not treated early, it can invade the inner layer of the skin, the dermis, where blood vessels and the lymph are located. Here are some key warning signs of Malignant Melanoma:
1. ASYMMETRY. Most early melanoma are asymmetrical (the two sides do not match). Common moles are round and symmetrical.
2. BORDER IRREGULARITY. The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped or notice edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.
3. COLOR VARIABILITY. Varied shapes of brown, tan, or black are often the first sign of melanoma. As melanoma progress, the colors red, white or blue may appear. Common moles usually are a single shade of brown.
4. DIAMETER. Larger than common moles, early melanomas tend to grow to a diameter of more than six millimeters.
**refer to the post on lifestyle: SUN EXPOSURE, TEN WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF.**
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