Know More About Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Irregular and abnormal growth of skin cells leads to skin cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer mostly develops in people with skin exposed to the sun. One can reduce skin cancer risk by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet rays.
causes
Skin cancer occurs when mutations occur in the skin cells’ DNA. These mutations cause the uncontrolled growth of cells and form a cluster of cancer cells.
Ultraviolet rays
Frequent skin exposure to ultraviolet rays is a significant cause of developing many types of skin cancer.
Moles
Moles are more likely to develop melanomas when multiple moles are on your skin.
Fair skin, light color hair, and freckles
People with more delicate skin are at greater risk of skin cancer, especially those with:
- Naturally red or blonde hair
- blue or green eyes
- light skin that tends to burn or freckle easily in the sun
Weak immune system
People with weak immune systems are more likely to develop skin cancer. The following can be the reason for a weakened immune system
- People with an auto-immune disease
- people undergo regular sessions of chemotherapy
- certain medications
Exposure to certain substances
such as arsenic may increase the chances of developing skin cancer.
Family history of skin cancer
If any member of the family has skin cancer, then you may have an increased risk of skin cancer.
Personal history of skin cancer
Types of skin cancer
Skin cancer is mainly of three types:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that are found in the middle and outer layers of the skin.
Most of the squamous cell carcinomas of the skin result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds. Avoiding ultraviolet rays reduces the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other types of skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells of the skin. Basal cells replace the old dead cells with the new cells within the skin. This type of cancer does not spread to the other parts of the body. About 80% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.
Basal cell carcinoma appears as a transparent bump on the skin. It occurs mostly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, including the head and neck.
Melanoma
About 1% of all skin cancers are melanomas. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. This cancer develops in the melanocytes (cells that are responsible for the production of melanin). Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of the skin.
Melanomas can occur anywhere in your body but are more common on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women.
Signs and Symptoms
- Skin lesions. A new mole, unusual growth, bump, sore, scaly patch, or dark spot develops and doesn’t disappear.
- Asymmetry. The two halves of a lesion or mole aren’t identical.
- Border. Lesions have ragged, uneven edges.
- Color. A spot has an unusual color, such as white, pink, black, blue, or red. It could also have more than one color within a lesion.
- Diameter. The size is larger than 1/4 inch or about the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolving. You can detect that the mole changes in any way, such as the size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching, pain, or bleeding.
Diagnosis
Examination of the skin
Doctors usually examine patients’ skin to determine whether the skin changes are likely to be skin cancer. Further testing has been done to confirm that diagnosis.
Skin biopsy
A sample has been taken from the affected part of the skin and sent to the labs for further test and diagnosis.
What are the possible side effects of modern treatments?
- The patients can experience long-term side effects like itchy and painful scarring. Even after the treatment has been performed successfully, there are chances of recurrence.
- Issues like swelling, pain, crusting, or bleeding may occur at the infected or operated site.
- Nerve damage around the wound or numbness can occur after Mohs surgery. Other effects like scarring, infection, and swelling can also be observed.
- After the excisional surgery, the affected area is prone to infection and swelling if not taken care of properly. The chances of an incision opening post completion of surgery are also possible.
Treatments
Treatment planning for skin cancer depends on the following factors:
- Location
- Type
- Stage
- Size
Following are some of the treatments:
Cryosurgery
During this treatment, the growth is frozen using liquid nitrogen, and it destroys the tissue as it thaws. The area to be treated is numbed initially using local anesthesia. Usually, one to three weeks are required to heal from the procedure.
Excisional surgery
In this case, the physician cuts out the growth and some healthy skin surrounding it. This ensures that the affected cells or areas are removed. This surgery can be used to treat all types of skin carcinomas.
Mohs surgery
The growth is removed layer by layer during this procedure. Each layer is examined under a microscope until no irregular cells are visible. It is also known as Mohs micrographic surgery.
Curettage and electrodesiccation
A long spoon-shaped blade scrapes away the cancer cells, and the remaining cells are burned with the help of an electric needle. It helps in the removal of both precancerous and cancerous growth.
Chemotherapy
This treatment can be taken orally, applied topically, or injected with a needle or intravenous (IV) line to kill the cancer cells.
Photodynamic therapy
As the name suggests, it involves the use of laser light and drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation
In this therapy, high-powered energy beams are used to kill the cancer cells.
Biological therapy
Biological treatments stimulate your immune system to fight cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
Medications stimulate trusted sources in your immune system to kill the cancer cells. It is done to strengthen the immune system so that it can identify cancer cells and have an impact on the same.
Why should you choose Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a many thousand years long area that has been dealing with natural ways of healing. It involves the aspects of disease prevention, natural remedies, a healthy lifestyle, and body cleansing therapies. It aims to integrate the modern world with its oldest forms and traditions of medicine.
According to Ayurvedic beliefs, the human body works on biological energies responsible for all the physical and mental processes. It involves gradually working on the root causes of health problems and eliminating them. It does not offer any consequences to the human body. All the elements used are beneficial in one way or the other.
How can Karma Ayurveda heal you?
Karma Ayurveda understands the ‘Prakriti’ or body constitution in detail and provides treatments by the Ayurveda laws and beliefs. It promotes harmony between life and the environment. The professionals here understand the fundamental and advanced nature of ‘doshas’ (imbalances) present in the body and treat them with the help of various therapies like griva vasti, abhyanga, Basti, and upanaham, kateevasthy, and much more.
Several ingredients or herbs can help prevent skin cancer and reduce its symptoms. The most commonly used item is aloe vera, also known as natural sun skin protector. It helps in limiting the production of carcinogens to a great extent. Another important component rich in dietary fiber is flax seeds that contain lignans. It helps to prevent the spread of cancer cells to other sites.
Astralagus is another Ayurvedic remedy for people as it boosts the immune system to limit the production of cancer agents. Bilberry reduces the damage caused by the cancer cells to the normal body tissues and organs. Hawthorn berries being a strong antioxidant, prevent the risk of developing skin cancer. However, the intake of hawthorn is promoted if the patient is using the beta-blockers.
The doctors at Karma Ayurveda hold years of experience and expertise in their respective fields. They are highly qualified and talented and motivate the patients toward leading a healthy life and contributing to shaping a better future for humankind. Karma Ayurveda believes in restoring the body equilibrium.