Section A
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It's main function is to protect the internal organs, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels (Cancer Council Victoria, 2016). The skin is made up of three main layers - the epidermis, the dermis and the fat layer. The layer of fat insulates the body and keeps in warm from changing outside temperatures. The next layer is the dermis, which contains fat, collagen and elastin fibres which provide strength and flexibility to the skin. Blood vessels run through the dermis which supply nutrients to support the active growth of new skin cells. The epidermis, the top layer, is divided into several main sections and contains three types of cells: squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes. The basal …show more content…
Damage to melanocytes occurs after overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources such as solarium tanning machines, however areas not exposed to the sun have the potential to develop melanoma. Melanoma differs from other skin cancers by its appearance and colour as it often has an irregular edge or surface, and is usually a combination of brown, black, blue, red, white or light grey colours. Melanoma has the potential to spread deeper into the skin and metastasise into the lymph or blood vessels to form a secondary cancer if left untreated. Melanoma can be detected by a skin biopsy where a sample of the tissue from the area potentially affected which is tested to confirm the presence of cancerous …show more content…
When melanoma affects areas which are hard to treat with surgery such as near the eyes, nose or forehead, radiotherapy is a common treatment which uses x-rays to kill the cancer cells. If the cancer has metastasised to the lymph nodes, they can be removed by dissection, which reduces the chance of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or coming back. Immunotherapy is another method of treatment, which through the use of medicines, stimulates the patient’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. 95% of melanoma is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, and there a many preventative measures which can be taken to reduce this exposure (Melanoma Institute of Australia, 2016). The most effective way to prevent melanoma is to practice sun safety at all times. This includes avoiding exposure to the sun during the times of the day when the UV ratings are highest, as well as using high SPF sunscreen, wearing clothing which covers the shoulders, neck, arms, face, legs and body, wearing broad rimmed hats which shade the face, neck and ears, wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 and an Eye Protection Factor
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It's main function is to protect the internal organs, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels (Cancer Council Victoria, 2016). The skin is made up of three main layers - the epidermis, the dermis and the fat layer. The layer of fat insulates the body and keeps in warm from changing outside temperatures. The next layer is the dermis, which contains fat, collagen and elastin fibres which provide strength and flexibility to the skin. Blood vessels run through the dermis which supply nutrients to support the active growth of new skin cells. The epidermis, the top layer, is divided into several main sections and contains three types of cells: squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes. The basal …show more content…
Damage to melanocytes occurs after overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources such as solarium tanning machines, however areas not exposed to the sun have the potential to develop melanoma. Melanoma differs from other skin cancers by its appearance and colour as it often has an irregular edge or surface, and is usually a combination of brown, black, blue, red, white or light grey colours. Melanoma has the potential to spread deeper into the skin and metastasise into the lymph or blood vessels to form a secondary cancer if left untreated. Melanoma can be detected by a skin biopsy where a sample of the tissue from the area potentially affected which is tested to confirm the presence of cancerous …show more content…
When melanoma affects areas which are hard to treat with surgery such as near the eyes, nose or forehead, radiotherapy is a common treatment which uses x-rays to kill the cancer cells. If the cancer has metastasised to the lymph nodes, they can be removed by dissection, which reduces the chance of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or coming back. Immunotherapy is another method of treatment, which through the use of medicines, stimulates the patient’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. 95% of melanoma is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, and there a many preventative measures which can be taken to reduce this exposure (Melanoma Institute of Australia, 2016). The most effective way to prevent melanoma is to practice sun safety at all times. This includes avoiding exposure to the sun during the times of the day when the UV ratings are highest, as well as using high SPF sunscreen, wearing clothing which covers the shoulders, neck, arms, face, legs and body, wearing broad rimmed hats which shade the face, neck and ears, wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 and an Eye Protection Factor