Added: 01/07/2006 |
Fight off skin and aging problem.Many people all over the world spend billions of dollars each year on skin care products that promise to erase wrinkles, lighten age spots, and eliminate itching, flaking, or redness, so to say, to solve the problem of skin and aging.
According to the common theory, sunlight is alleged to be the major cause of skin changes we think of as signs of aging - wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. Your skin does change with age. For example, you sweat less, leading to increased dryness. Aging skin becomes thinner and loses fat, so it looks less plump and smooth. Underlying structures - veins and bones in particular - become more prominent. Your skin can take longer to heal when injured.
Americans believe that you can delay these changes, caused by skin and aging problem staying out of the sun. Although nothing can completely undo sun damage, the skin sometimes can repair itself. They say it's never too late to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun.
The skin and aging problem sometimes becomes really perilous. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, for instance. According to current estimates, 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will suffer skin cancer at least once. Although anyone can pick up skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have skin and aging problem - fair skin that freckles easily.
UV radiation sun is the main cause of skin cancer. In addition, artificial sources of UV radiation - such as sunlamps and tanning booths - can cause skin cancer as well. People who live in such areas of the U.S. that receive high doses of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to get skin cancer. For example, skin cancer is a more common case in Texas and Florida than in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong.
There are three common types of skin cancers. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common. They are slow-growing cancers that seldom spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinomas also rarely spread, but still more often than basal cell carcinomas. The most dangerous of all skin cancers is melanoma. Melanoma can spread to other organs, and when it does, it often is fatal.
Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas of the skin exposed to the sun - the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. However, skin cancer can affect any part of the body. Changes in the skin are not sure signs of cancer; however, it's important to see a doctor if any symptom lasts longer than 2 weeks. Don't wait for the area to hurt - skin cancers seldom cause pain.
All skin cancers could be cured if they were discovered and brought to a doctor's attention before they had a chance to spread. Therefore, you should check your skin regularly. The most common warning sign of skin cancer is change of the surface of the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn't heal. Skin cancers don't all look the same. For example, skin cancer can start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. Or it can appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust. Skin cancer also can start as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly.
In treating skin cancer, the doctor's main goal is to remove or destroy cancer completely, leaving as small scar as possible. To plan the best treatment for each person, the doctor considers the type of skin cancer, its location and size, and the person's general health and medical history. Treatment for skin cancer usually involves some type of surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) or a combination of these may be necessary.
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