Skin Cancer

Definition:

Four major types of melanoma (skin cancer):

• Superficial spreading melanoma - is the most common type of melanoma. It is usually flat and irregular in shape and color, with varying shades of black and brown. It may occur at any age or site and is most common skin cancer in Caucasians.

• Nodular melanoma - usually starts as a raised area that is dark blackish-blue or bluish-red, although some are without color.

• Lentigo maligna melanoma - usually occurs in the elderly. It is most common in sun-damaged areas on the face, neck, and arms. The abnormal areas are usually large, flat, and tan with intermixed areas of brown.

• Acral lentiginous melanoma - is the least common form of melanoma. It usually occurs on the palms, soles, or under the nails and is more common in African Americans.

In the United States, 1 in 85 people will develop melanoma at some point in their life. The risk of developing melanoma increases with age, but nonetheless the disease frequently affects young, otherwise healthy people.

Melanoma is the number one cause of cancer death in women aged 25 - 30.

Melanoma may appear on normal skin, or it may begin at a mole or other area that has changed in appearance. Some moles present at birth may develop into melanomas.

The development of melanoma is related to sun exposure, particularly to sunburns during childhood, and is most common among people who are light complected, blue or green eyes, and red or blond hair.

Risk factors:

• Family history of melanoma

• Red or blond hair and fair complexion

• Presence of multiple birthmarks

• Development of precancerous lesions

• Obvious freckling on the upper back

• Three or more blistering sunburns before age 20

• Three or more years spent at an outdoor summer job as a teenager

• High levels of exposure to strong sunlight

Symptoms...

The primary symptom is usually a mole, sore, lump, or growth. Any change in appearance of a pigmented lesion over time is a warning sign. Also, watch for any bleeding from a growth.

The ABCD system may help you remember features that might be a symptom of melanoma:

• Asymmetry: One half of the abnormal area is different from the other half

• Borders: The lesion or growth has irregular edges.

• Color: Color changes from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, or blue). A mixture of colors may appear within one lesion.

• Diameter: The trouble spot is usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser.

The key to treating melanoma

Exams and Tests

The American Cancer Society recommends professional skin examinations every year for people older than 40, and every 3 years for people aged 20 - 40. Monthly self-examination is also recommended.

Your health care provider may suspect melanoma based on the appearance of the growth, sore, or lump. A biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy may involve removal of a small area of a growth, or the entire growth itself.

Treatment

A skin graft may be necessary after the surgery if a large area of skin is affected.

Only the smallest and most shallow melanomas can be cured by surgery alone, so early diagnosis is very important. Radiation therapy , chemotherapy , or immunotherapy (use of medications that stimulate the immune system, such as interferon) may be recommended in addition to surgery.

If the cancer is deeper than 4 mm or the lymph nodes have cancer, there is a high risk of the cancer spreading to other tissues and organs. Treatment with 'Interferon' after surgery may be useful for these patients. Studies have suggested that Interferon improves the overall chance of cure by approximately 10%.

However, Interferon has many side effects and is sometimes difficult to tolerate. Patients with high-risk melanomas should consider enrolling in clinical trials. These are research studies of new medications or other treatments.

For patients with melanoma that has spread beyond the skin and lymph nodes to other organs, treatment is more difficult. At this point, melanoma is usually not curable.

Treatment is usually directed at shrinking the tumor and improving symptoms. Both chemotherapy and use of Interferon or Interleukin may be tried.

These patients also should consider participating in clinical trials.


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Outlook (Prognosis)

If caught early, melanoma can be cured. The risk of the skin cancer coming back increases with the depth of the tumor -- deeper tumors are more likely to come back. If the skin cancer has spread to lymph nodes, there is a greater chance that the melanoma will come back.

For melanoma that has spread to other tissues and organs, the cure rate is low. Melanoma that has spread may lead to death.

Possible Complications...

• Spread to other organs
• Damage to deep tissue
• Side effects of treatment
• Nausea
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Pain

Prevention

• Applying a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, every day (during winter months as well)

• Wearing protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses

• Refraining from intentionally lying in the sun or using tanning devices

• Minimizing sun exposure especially during the summer particularly between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

"Natural collagen cosmetics are especially designed for beauty, health and aging skin care. In contrast to all the cosmetics of the world it is a living preparation, biologically active and relevant to the causes, rather than the effects of skin aging. Contains no harsh dyes or aromas."

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Testimonials...

"I had developed what I thought was skin cancer on my cheek by my nose.

Everyday I applied some essential oils (clove & Thieves blend) and also a special liquid oxygen solution & an anti-oxidant powder. To my surprise it has totally cleared up! The combination I believe worked well together and I loved the smell as well."

"After reading my 'Essential Oils Pocket Reference' handbook, I learned that Thyme essential oil is the recommended oil for basil cell skin cancer. I told my husband to start using it.

He started applying the oil each morning and evening on the side of his face directly on the cancer spots. He told me he used the oil full strength and that it was very HOT.

I would recommend that the oil be diluted with an organic vegetable oil.

It took 3 to 4 days before scabs appeared and by the end of the week the scabs had fallen off.

Now he is applying lavender oil diluted 50:50 with organic grape seed oil to replenish the skin. He no longer has any signs of cancer on his face!"

"I had a skin cancer on my cheek about the size of a nickel. I treated it with Thieves and Frankincense at least twice a day.

The Thieves produced a burning effect and after about a week the area became very red and developed a scab. When the scab came off the cancer disappeared as well.

In total, it took 3 weeks for the area to come back to normal.

Because of the extreme redness of the spot it was necessary for me to put a bandaid over the area to keep people from asking so many questions. The bandaid was loose so that I could continue to apply the oil with a Q-tip until I was sure I had gotten all of it."

"My husband had a black spot about the size of a dime that the doctor said was uneven and should be looked at by a dermatologist.

In order to get a referral he had to see his GP and she made the same remarks. Both doctors said it looked like possible skin cancer.

He began using Frankincense several times a day and at night would put a couple drops on a small amount of cotton and then put it against the skin with a bandaide to hold it for the night.

In a couple weeks he began to see the spot change color and parts of it fall off. By the end of the third week the spot was gone.

I had the same experience with a small grey like spot on my elbow and it took about three weeks following the same procedure and it fell off in my hand."

"A dear friend of mine was caring for an elderly lady who had a patch of skin cancer on her face. When she applied a high quality, therapuetic-grade essential oil of Frankincense (she had tried a cheap brand of Frankincense prior), the spot on her face cleared up and healed within 2 days."



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