Each year, “1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer.” According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), “there’s an estimated 600,000 fatalities from cancer in America each year.” Research and clinical trials are being performed throughout the world to learn more about the origins of cancer to develop a cure.
There is currently no cure for cancer. It’s important to add, some patients go into remission and no longer test positive for malignant cancer cells. Early detection is one of the greatest defense mechanisms against cancer. Signs of cancer can be different for each patient, but share similar common characteristics with other diagnosed individuals.
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What Is Cancer?
There are different types of cancer, but the underlying disease causes the cells to uncontrollably divide and attack the tissues and cells of the body. For some people, cancer is hereditary and inherited from their genetic makeup.
The aggressive attack of the tissue and organs is the greatest threat of cancer on the human body. Subsequently, cancer can occur at any age. If you believe you’re experiencing the warning signs of cancer, it’s important to talk to a medical professional right away.
Common Treatment Options For Cancer
- Chemotherapy.Chemotherapy uses one or more anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Many doctors use chemotherapy to prolong the patient’s life and/or reduce the symptoms of cancer. Chemotherapy is one of the more aggressive treatment options for cancer. Talk to your doctor to find out more about chemotherapy.
- Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy utilizes ionizing radiation to destroy malignant cancer cells. Radiation therapy is administered by a linear accelerator. Radiation can have serious side effects on the body. A doctor will access your unique type of cancer and will make a radiation therapy recommendation based on your cancer type.
- Surgery.According to Cancer.gov, “surgery removes cancer from an isolated area.” This type of procedure is commonly used for specific diagnosed types of breast cancer and skin cancer patients. Surgery is used to remove the malignant cells to avoid a recurrence or spreading throughout the body. Recovery time from cancer surgery will be different for each patient.
- Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. It enhances the immune system which allows the immune system to detect and attack cancer on its own. Immunotherapy can destroy or stop cancer cells from attacking other parts of the body. Talk to your doctor to see if immunotherapy is right for you.
What Is Melanoma?
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. The pigment cells become cancerous and result in melanoma. Your doctor will diagnose and treat your particular form of skin cancer. If you’re impacted by an expected growth or a change in the color or size of your mole, you should talk to your doctor right away.
Melanoma is best treated by early detection. It’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis of melanoma. The sooner you’re diagnosed, the better the odds are of destroying the malignant cancer cells. If caught early, melanoma can be treated.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Melanoma
There are quite a few risk factors for melanoma, but the greatest risk is the sun. Excessive exposure to UV rays can have a damaging affect on the skin. Frequent sunburn is also a risk factor of melanoma.
If you’re exposed to the sun a lot, sunscreen is used to prevent sunburn and block harmful UV rays. Excess exposure to the sun can result in damage to the skin or melanoma.
Fair skin or a family history of melanoma can increase the chances of a positive diagnosis.
Excessive or changing moles can be a risk factor for melanoma. One of the first signs of melanoma is a change of the pigmentation and size of an existing mole. There is no scientific claim about the cause of melanoma, but UV rays are believed to play a huge factor in the diagnosis of melanoma.
Take a look at the short video clip below to learn more about melanoma:
As you can see melanoma has quite a few risk factors and impacts every individual differently. If you’re experiencing any risk factors of possible melanoma, it’s important to talk to your doctor right away.
Tips and Ideas To Reduce Risk Factors of Melanoma
Researchers suggest the greatest defense against melanoma is avoiding over-exposure to UV rays. You can also wear sunscreen year-round to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Your local UV index will tell you how high UV rays are for your area. It’s also imperative to avoid peak hours in the sun to also lower your risk of melanoma. Researchers suggest, there has been a significant increase in melanoma in women under 40. The least amount of exposure to direct sunlight is recommended to avoid melanoma.
Melanoma can be hereditary and put you at a higher risk. Taking the necessary precautions can greatly reduce your risk. Treatment for melanoma includes surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation depending on your doctor’s recommendation. Many doctors are recommending immunotherapy for melanoma more than ever before.
There hasn’t been any scientific proof to explain the root cause of melanoma, but research suggests excessive exposure to the sun increases your risk factors. Start protecting your skin today if you’ve been exposed to an increasingly high UV index. Your skin is the only skin you’ll ever have in this lifetime.
Conclusion
Much like any cancer, melanoma should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to improve the chances of remission. You can also be tested for melanoma if you believe you’re experiencing symptoms. Find a treatment option that is adaptable to your needs. When your skin feels and looks good, it enhances your self-esteem.
Don’t neglect yourself by practicing a skincare regimen that fights against the harmful elements of the sun. You can greatly reduce your risk for melanoma. Protect the only skin you’re in. You can win in the fight against melanoma. You’re invited to talk to your doctor for more details about the risk factors of skin cancer today.
