Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are generally a result of overexposure to the sun. While
skin cancers are the most common form of cancer, many types are both
preventable and treatable. Skin cancer is classified into five different
types:
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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form and accounts for 75%
of all skin cancers. It originates in the basal cells, at the bottom of
the epidermis (outer skin layer), and is caused by long-term exposure
to sunlight.
-
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type,
accounting for 20% of all skin cancers. It originates in the epidermis,
eventually penetrating the underlying tissue if not treated. In a small
percentage of cases, this cancer metastasizes, or spreads, to other parts of
the body.
-
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a form of skin cancer that currently is
affecting an increasing number of people. There are more than 40,000 new
cases of malignant melanoma annually in the U.S., resulting in more than
7000 deaths. MM is a very serious type of skin cancer, but the cure
rate is quite good if it is diagnosed and removed early. MM originates in
moles or other growths on normal skin.
-
Paget's disease (PD) is a rare type of skin cancer. It generally
appears on the nipple, and is associated with an underlying breast cancer. It
may also appear in the groin or near the anus, possibly originating in
the sweat glands.
-
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is caused by a virus in the herpes family. An
aggressive AIDS-related form affects about one third of AIDS patients. A
more slow growing form occurs in elderly men of Italian or Jewish
ancestry.
Skin cancer is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:
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A new skin lesion or open sores that bleed, ooze, or crust, and fail to
heal in an expected time frame
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Enlargement of an existing skin lesion
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Change in color of a mole
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Reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest,
shoulders, arms, or legs
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Shiny bump that is pearly or translucent
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Poorly defined borders of a skin lesion
The Causes Of Skin Cancer
The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun. KS, as stated earlier, is caused by a virus, and
Paget's disease is related to underlying breast cancer.
People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for
developing skin cancer:
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Light skin color
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Spending a lot of time outdoors in work and/or leisure activities
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History of severe sunburn
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Family history of skin cancer
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Large dark-colored birthmark known as congenital melanocytic nevus
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Certain non-cancerous skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis, can
predispose a person to skin cancer
-
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a risk for KS specifically
Your healthcare provider will thoroughly examine your skin for new,
changed, or unusual moles. This may involve the use of a dermatoscope,
which is used for close examination of such skin growths. If any growths
appear cancerous, a biopsy will be done. This involves removing a small
piece of skin for microscopic examination. A biopsy can confirm whether
or not you have skin cancer.
Skin cancer is a preventable disease. If you are in a high-risk
category, take measures to avoid sun exposure and, when in the sun, to protect
yourself by covering up, wearing a hat, and applying sunscreen with an
SPF of at least 30. It is also wise to have regular skin cancer
screenings with your primary healthcare provider or a dermatology specialist.
The primary goals of treatment are to remove the cancerous growth(s)
and stop the spread of the disease. There are many options available to you including natural cures like bloodroot.
Melanoma that is deep or has spread, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma,
may be treated with chemotherapy.
Most skin cancer can be surgically removed
Where surgery is not possible, cryotherapy (freezing) may be used
Paget's disease of the nipple usually requires mastectomy (removal of
breast tissue)
Eating certain foods or following therapeutic diets may help prevent
skin cancer. While many CAM treatments have not yet undergone rigorous
scientific research, studies that have been conducted and clinical
experience suggests that these treatments may be useful when applied along
with conventional methods for the treatment of skin conditions including
skin cancer.
It is difficult to test the role of nutrients in protecting against
various forms of skin cancer. However, a number of scientific studies have
investigated the role of such nutrients as antioxidants (including
vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, and vitamin A), folic acid, fats and
proteins specifically, and a variety of whole foods.
While results are
not absolutely clear, there appears to be some protective effect from
antioxidants and from certain foods such as fish, beans, carrots, chard,
pumpkin, cabbage, broccoli, and vegetables containing beta-carotene and
vitamin C. Lignans, substances found in foods such as soy and flaxseed,
may also be beneficial in fighting cancer in general, including the
spread of melanoma from one part of the body to another, as demonstrated
in animals.
Therapeutic diets may also help with skin cancer. Gerson's diet, which
is customized for each patient, is one of these. Although more research
is necessary, there are some preliminary reports suggesting that this
diet may enhance treatment of melanoma.
Common measures in the Gerson's
diet include low salt and low fat intake, highly concentrated nutrients
given through hourly feedings throughout the day of raw fruit and
vegetable juices, and strategies to speed up metabolism (the breakdown and
use of food), such as exercise, taking supplements, and restricting
calories.
Castor oil, administered every other day for several weeks, and
coffee enemas given as frequently as every 4 hours over a 24-hour
period, are thought to alleviate pain and improve nutritional status.
Naturopathic doctors and botanists recommend a number of herbs and
herbal combinations to prevent and treat cancer in general. To identify
appropriate herbs to use in your treatment for skin cancer, see a trained
herbalist, who will consider your condition and may prescribe herbs to
support your care.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains polyphenols, compounds that are
potent antioxidants. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals, harmful
by-products of cells' metabolism that are thought to play a role in cancer.
The main polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Scientific studies suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols may
prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.
For Kaposi's sarcoma, some naturopaths recommend a paste made from
lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) cream, several drops of Hoxsey-like
formula (a mixture of herbs and potassium iodide thought to be effective
against cancer), and powdered turmeric applied to lesions twice a day.
An animal study conducted in China investigated the effects of
Cordyceps sinensis on natural killer cells (NK). NK are white blood cells that
attack cancer and other harmful substances in the body. This study
found that Cordyceps sinensis was effective against malignant melanoma by
promoting NK activity and inhibiting tumor formation.
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