Cancer+Commercial+Podcast+DB

Melanoma - The most serious type of skin cancer, can be deadly if not treated - Begins in skin cells called melanocytes -->Make melanin which gives skin color and protects deeper layers from damage of UV rays --> More time in the sun causes the melanocytes to produce more melanin thus making the skin more tan --> If the skin gets too much ultraviolet light, melanocytes begin to grow abnormally and become cancerous- (Melanoma) -First sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape or color of a mole -Caused by exposure to UV light as in sunlight and indoor tanning -->Indoor tanning in your teens and twenties increases your chance of getting melanoma by 75% --> 82% of women do not use sunscreen as often as they should - Can quickly spread to other parts of the body

Affect on tumor supressor genes/ proto-oncogenes - UV light induces mutations in the p53 tumor supressor gene -p53 Tumor supressor genes stop the cell cycle and promote apoptosis

Melanoma shows up most often -In men- on the upper body and on the head and neck - In women- on the lower legs and on the nail beds and palms for darker skinned people

Chance of getting Melanoma - Increases with age (But occurs frequently in young adults) - May be increased if: you have a family history of the disease, have had one or more bad sunburns as a kid, have fair skin and light eyes, spend time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. frequently, or if you have many freckles

Prevalence of Melanoma - It affects 50,000 people in the U.S. each year - It has been increasing in women by more than 2% a year for the last 20 years

Treatment -If a mole or growth is determined to have melanoma, a sentinel lymph node of SLN biopsy will be performed to remove the tumor and some surrounding skin. - If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a surgeon may remove those lymph nodes to keep it from spreading - If the cancer has spread more tests including blood tests, ultrasound, chest x-rays, or MRI's will be done -Other treatment after surgery may include: immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy

What to look out for - A growth that increases in size, looks pearly, red, brown, or multicolored - A mole that changes in color or texture or is bigger than a pencil eraser - A spot or growth that continues to itch or scab - A sore that last for more than 4 weeks, or heals and reopens - A scaly or crusty bump

Prevention It is important to get checked by a doctor at regular checkups - A doctor will inspect all of your skin, record location, size, and color of moles and may arrange a biopsy for moles that look unusual -Wear sunscreen and don't tan

Sources:

http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v3/n5/abs/nm0597-510.html

http://www.melanoma.com/skin_cancer.html

Outline for podcast

Did you know that 82% of women do not wear sunscreen as they should? And that regular visits to the tanning bed in teens and twenties increases your chances of getting skin cancer by 75%?

The most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma, has been increasing in women by 2% a year for the last twenty years?

But men aren't off the hook.. This disease affects men and women of all ages and 50,000 Americans were diagnosed with it last year!

Melanoma begins in skin cells called melanocytes which give the skin its color and prevent deeper layers from being affected by UV rays. However, if the skin gets too much UV light from the sun or indoor tanning beds, these cells start to grow abnormally and become cancerous.

You see, UV light brings about mutations in the p53 tumor supressor gene. The tumor supressor gene is unable to stop the cell cycle as it normally would or promote apoptosis to kill the cell. The cancerous cell then multiply rapidly and form a tumor.

There are ways to look out for Melanoma in the skin. Watch out for -A growth that becomes pearly, red, brown or multicolored. -A mole that changes in color or texture or is bigger than a pencil eraser. An itchy or scabby spot. -A sore that doesn't heal -Or a scaly or crusty bump.

Get regular checkups with your doctor to examine your skin all over. He or she will record size, location and color of moles and may suggest a biopsy if one looks suspicious.

Wear sunscreen and avoid tanning of any kind

Skin cancer is not fun, and melanoma specifically can kill. It is also one of the most common cancers in young adults.

Having melanoma means having multiple biopsies to remove a cancerous tumor and surrounding skin, possible removal of lymph nodes if the cancer spreads, and other tests such as blood tests, ultrasounds and MRI's. Depending on the severity of the cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also be necessary.

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