MEDICAL EDUCATION ON RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF SKIN CANCER

As our on-going topic is on medical education on Skin Cancer now in this post we are going to elaborate various risk factors along with sign and Symptoms for skin cancer. If you want to read our previous article on the “What is Skin Cancer” you can CLICK HERE to get the access.

RISK FACTORS FOR SKIN CANCER

These are the factors which increase the chances of skin cancer means they aggravate the existing or the occurrence of a disease. These risk factors may be environmental or hereditary. A person can change his/her life style to get rid of these risk factors. So here are some of the risk factors which increase the chances to get skin cancer:

FAIR SKIN PEOPLE: People having Fair skin, fair hairs, blue eyes are more prone to have skin cancer because these people have insufficient skin pigmentation to protect the underlying tissues from the harmful radiations & they get affected by ultraviolet radiations very easily & have skin cancer easily.

SUN EXPOSURE: The people who are having chronic sun exposure means the people who are exposed to sun since a long time such as in some type of occupations like farming, laboring etc. are more prone to have skin cancer.

CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS: Exposure of workers to some factory chemicals such as arsenic, nitrates, coal, tar, oils, paraffin etc increases the chances to get the skin cancer.

ELDERLY PEOPLE: Elderly people are prone to have skin cancer because they are having sun damaged skin due to prolong exposure to sun & due to ageing factors.

PREVIOUS X-RAY THERAPY: people who are having a history of previous x-ray therapy for acne treatment etc are at a increased risk to get skin cancer.

GENETIC FACTORS: People who are having first or second degree relatives with skin cancer they are also at an increased risk to have skin cancer because the cancerous gene can transfer from parents to children.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS OF SKIN CANCER

The features of skin cancer depends upon the different types of the cells which they involve so some of the features of skin cancer according to the cell or tissue involvement are here, which a person can identify only by seeing them:

Basal cell carcinoma usually begins as a small, waxy nodule with rolled, pearly borders & usually appears in the most sun exposed area. As these nodules grow they undergo crusting & these are usually not spread to surrounding structures.

Squamous cell carcinomas develop from the epidermis & are of greater concern because in these chances of metastasis are more. These are usually appear on sun damaged area but may be developed from the normal skin. These appear as rough, thickened, scaly tumor that may be symptom free or may involve bleeding. There is more inflammation (swelling) at the borders of these tumors as compared to basal cell carcinoma & are also wider. Exposed area especially upper extremities, face, lower lip, ears, nose & forehead are common sites.

Malignant melanomas are characterized by brown, black mixed with gray, blue black or white circular lesions with irregular borders. The margins of the lesion may be flat or elevated. Some types of malignant melanomas are also spherical, blueberry shaped with a smooth, uniform surface. These can be described as a blood blister that fails to resolve. These types of melanomas invade the dermis so these are metastatic means spread from one site (organ) to another site & this is the reason that the cure rate of this type of skin cancer is very poor.

In our Next Medical Health Education article we are going to discussed Various Treatment Techniques to get rid of Skin Cancer. So we with us continuously and we will post very soon….

WHAT IS SKIN CANCER AND VARIOUS TYPES OF SKIN CANCER

MEDICAL EDUCATION ON SKIN CANCER

INTRODUCTION:  What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the World. It mainly affects the labourers, road workers. Skin cancer mainly affects the skin of the face, neck & the other parts are mostly exposed to sun & the ultraviolet radiation. Awareness and quality medical education about skin cancer can prevent a person of having skin cancer. 

As skin cancer is easily detectable and is the most successfully treated type of cancer. Early diagnosis and skin cancer treatment can lead to preventing its metastatic (spreading to other organs) form. Extreme exposure to sun & ultraviolet radiations is the main & primarily cause of developing skin cancer.

TYPES OF SKIN CANCER

Types of skin cancer depend upon the type of cells from where they have developed. Our skin is made up of different layers so the name & type of tumor is on the basis of the layer from where they have developed. Mainly there are three types of skin cancer which are further categories into different types. The different types & description of these types are as follows:

1). BENIGN SKIN TUMOR

2). BASAL CELL & SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

3). MALIGNANT CELL TUMOR

1). BENIGN SKIN TUMOR: These are the tumors that are localized only to the site where they develop means they don’t have the tendency to spread to nearby organs. These are as follows:

CYSTS: These are the types of tumors that are developed from the epithelium layer & are characterized by the cavities that contain fluid or solid material. These may also develop from the sebaceous (sweat) glands.

WARTS: This type of benign tumor caused by infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These usually develop on the sole of foot or in the genital area & are sexually transmitted.

ANGIOMAS: These develop from the subcutaneous tissue of the skin. They are present at the time of birth as violet-red patches & later in volute with-in first year of life as port wine angiomas.

MOLES: These are yellowish brown to black in colour & are flat lesions that contain hair inside it. These can lead to malignancy so the removal in earlier stages is very important to prevent malignancy.

KELOIDS: These are the overgrowth of fibrous tissue at the site of a scar or trauma. These are more common in the dark skin people.

DERMATOFIBROMA: These are the benign tumors of the connective tissues & are mainly develop in the extremities. These are skin colured or bright pink in colour.

2). BASAL CELL & SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA:

a). BASAL CELL CARCINOMA: It is the most common type of skin cancer & generally appear on the sun exposed area of people who are exposed to intense sun. It is small, waxy nodule mostly appear on face. It undergoes central ulceration & crusting as grows. The chances of metastasis are very low but the chances of re-occurrence are very high.

b). SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: It is malignant type developed from the epidermis. It appears on the sun damaged area. It is metastasized by the blood or lymphatic system, this type of cancer is mainly responsible for cancer deaths.

3). MALIGNANT CELL TUMOR: In this type of cancer melanocytes are present in the dermis, epidermis or sometimes in the subcutaneous tissues. The main cause of the malignant tumors is ultra violet radiations. This type of cancer is more lethal than other types.

In the upcoming article on Medical education we will share various Health caring tips those will help you in preventing your Skin from Skin cancer. So Check out our Next upcoming article on “ MEDICAL HEALTH CARE TIPS TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER ” .

 

MEDICAL EDUCATION ON DRY EYE SYNDROME ALONG WITH EYE CARING HEALTH TIPS

Medical Health Education on Eye Care Tips

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES……

The dry eye syndrome is a common condition, caused due to various lifestyle factors like air pollution, smoking, vehicular smoke, excessive use of gadgets like computers, iPods, mobiles, and the also use of air conditioners, heaters etc. Other factors like sedentary habits, excessive use of various cosmetics and chemicals can have an impact on the quality of our vision.

Hormonal changes are also a cause of the dry eye syndrome (DES); causing changes in tear production e.g. menopausal women are most often affected by dry eye. Older men are also affected by this problem. Nearly 50 percent of the population suffers from this problem. However, it is more prevalent among women and older individuals.

What is Dry eye syndrome?

Sometimes people don't produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy and moist. 

This condition is known as dry eye. In a normal eye there is a tear film in front of the cornea that lubricates, nourishes, and protects the eye from dust and other irritants. Spread by blinking (about every six seconds), it keeps the surface of the eye optically clear and smooth, and also protects from infection. 

This film has several layers of fluid viz. the lipid, or oil layer; the watery layer; and mucus layer and is not like ordinary water in its composition. 

All three layers of tears in human eyes are very necessary for the proper lubrication. The Persons with dry eye syndrome have tears that are mostly water and evaporate quickly, providing little protection to the eye.

Symptoms:

Dry eyes are dry, irritated and uncomfortable eyes. Sometimes excess production of water from the lachrymal gland in dry eyes results in watery eyes.

Other symptoms include eye strain, sensitivity to light, headache, blurred vision, pain and foreign body sensation, itching in the eyes, red or burning eyes. Even repeated splashing of water in the eyes does not give any relief, instead, it worsens the condition.

People prone to DES may also find their eyes feel more uncomfortable after reading or watching television at a stretch. Constant eye strain can result in headaches or neck-ache, which may be the leading symptom.

If not treated early the dry eyes can progress to ulcer formation and opacity of the cornea resulting in permanent loss of vision.

Health Tips to prevent dry eyes:

Avoid direct blowing of air in eyes from hair dryers, car heaters, air conditioners or fans.

Add moisture to the air e g a humidifier can add moisture to indoor air.

While swimming wear wraparound glasses or eyeglass shields or swim goggles.

Take frequent breaks while reading some document or working on your PC (Personal Computer). Blink your eyes frequently.

Be aware of your environment. Air at high altitudes, desert areas and in the airplanes can be really dry. Close eyes repeatedly to minimise evaporation.

Position the computer screen below eye level. This will slow the evaporation of tears between eye blinks.

Stop smoking and avoid vehicular and other smoke.

Always Wear the sunglasses when you are outside to reduce the harmful exposure of sun, wind and dust to your eyes.

Do not use any eye drops meant for the normal eyes.

Avoid long term contact lens wear. Avoid surgery that involves making incisions in or removing tissue from the cornea i.e. laser correction of myopia, if you have dry eye problem.

Treatment: Eye drops called artificial tears are used as substitute tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than every 2 hr, preservative-free brands may be better for you. These lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. 

The use of cyclosporine drops, work by stimulating tear production. It treats the underlying inflammation that's causing the problem, but only 25 percent to 30 percent of patients are benefited and cyclosporine doesn't work in every patient. 

Steroid eye drops may also be used occasionally. Surgical options include Lacrisert, a tiny insert filled with a lubricating ingredient (hydroxylpropyl cellulose) placed just inside the lower eyelid, where it constantly releases the lubrication. 

Another option is to close outlet channels temporarily with plugs to conserve your own tears and make artificial tears last longer. One more option is to permanently seal the opening of tear ducts by using heat cautery. Supplementary measures may include drinking more water to improve general hydration of the body, treating any inflammation of the lids and the measures mentioned under prevention.

Some individuals may find dry eye relief by supplementing their diet with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found naturally in foods like oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies) and flax seeds.

That’s it about this Medical education on Dry eye syndrome. Take care of your eyes by using these precaution and prevention. If you do not take it seriously then you will lose your vision….Have a healthy and bright life ahead….

Sources: News Paper and books.

BREAST CANCER EDUCATION ON BREAST SELF EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE

BREAST SELF EXAMINATION

We are going to gives you the Medical Health Education on Breast Self Examination. In this post, we will let you know how you can examine your breast to check that you have breast cancer or not. In our previous articles on Breast Cancer Education, we discussed what is breast Cancer and Various Risk Factors and Symptoms. We hope that you read out those articles as well but if you did not read those articles, we are suggesting you read those articles before reading this one. You can access those articles by CLICK HERE.

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a very helpful method to detect any breast abnormality if it is done on a regular basis. Detecting breast cancer at its earlier stages is very important to seek the medical treatment as soon as possible so the main thing is to detect it by oneself own efforts so in this article of Breast Cancer education we are telling you about how to do when to do and who can do. We also use the images with each step given below on breast self-examination for the proper understanding of the viewers.

WHEN TO DO BREAST SELF EXAMINATION?

Menstruating women: A regular menstruating woman should do this exercise after menses (that is day 5 to day 7, by counting the first day of menses as day 1).

Menopausal women: Women who have stopped menses known as Menopausal women. A menopausal woman should fix a date of every month and should do it on that date.

STEPS INCLUDE IN BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE)

STEP(1)

Stand in front of your mirror and observe for any discharge from the breast, any dimpling of the breast tissue.

Observe the both breasts carefully to observe the change in the shape, size & symmetry of the breast.

Look at the image shown with this step.

 STEP(2)

In this step you have to move your hands to the behind of your head and press your hands to front and then check for any change in the contour of your breast.

Also see for any change in the shape of your breasts from one another.

Take a look on the attaching image with this step for proper understanding.

STEP(3)

In this step bow slightly towards the mirror and press your hands on your hips as you pull your shoulder & elbow forward.

Here note any change in the contour of your breast.

Saw the attaching image carefully for proper understanding of this position.

STEP(4)

Raise your left arm. Then feel the left armpit with the flat parts of your right hand fingers in a circular motion then proceed feeling firstly to the outer edge of your breast then to the inner part towards nipple.

Pay more attention to the area between the armpit & breast. Feel for any unusual lump or masses in the breast tissue.

Repeat the same for right arm in the same fashion.

STEP(5)

In this step lie down on your back with your left hand under your head & keep a pillow under your shoulder. Now repeat the above steps (step-4). Also repeat same for right arm. If you notice any lump or mass in the breast then consult a gynaecologist as early as possible.

CONCLUSION

By following the above steps you can detect any breast abnormality at early stages. Breast self-examination is very easy, economic & reliable method as one can do it on her own at her home setting &at any time. So it is very important to do this. That’s it about this technique for more related information on Medical Health Education continues your visit.

By: Dr. SL Sharma.