Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the rarest and most deadly form of skin cancer. It affects the melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin, the skin's pigment) and seems to be more prevalent among city-dwellers than among those who work outside. This seeming paradox is because scientific data indicates that episodic sun exposure resulting in burn is linked to melanoma, but constant exposure is not.

Melanoma does not necessarily occur in sun-exposed areas of the body which contributes to the belief that it is linked to brief, intense periods of sun exposure and a history of severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that metastasizes easily making it often fatal if not treated early enough. Bear in mind, however, that all statistics of melanoma come from tissue that has been examined after some form of excisional treatment or biopsy. Melanoma becomes more common with increasing age but it still appears in younger people.

A melanoma can develop in any area of the skin or from an existing mole. A typical melanoma appears as a small darkened area of skin similar in appearance to a mole. It is recognisable as being different to a mole in four different ways known as the ABCDE of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.

Asymmetry: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical: a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

Border: The edges of melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched, or blurred edges. A mole has a smooth, well-defined edge.

Color: The pigmentation of a melanoma is often not uniform, with more than one shade of brown, tan, or black. Moles are usually a single shade of brown

Diameter: A melanoma is usually larger than a mole, continues to grow and is often at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm, or 1/4 inch, in diameter).

Evolving: Change in size, shape and color shade.

Types of Melanoma

Melanomas are described according to their appearance and behavior. Those that start off as flat patches (i.e. have a horizontal growth phase) include:

* Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM)
* Lentigo malignant melanoma (sun damaged skin of face, scalp and neck)
* Acral lentiginous melanoma (on soles of feet, palms of hands or under the nails - under the nails is called subungual melanoma)

Melanoma skin cancers tend to grow slowly, but at any time, they may begin to thicken or develop a nodule. When this happens they progress to a vertical growth phase.

Melanomas that grow quickly, involving deeper tissues, include:

* Nodular melanoma (presenting as a rapidly enlarging lump)
* Mucosal melanoma (arising on lips, eyelids, vulva, penis, anus)
* Desmoplastic melanoma (fibrous tumour with a tendency to grow down nerves) Melanoma may present in combinations e.g. nodular melanoma developing within a superficial spreading melanoma.

Treatment of Melanoma

Usual protocol for the treatment of melanoma is:

Biopsy to confirm.

Surgical removal with wide margins encompassing healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.

Surgical removal of lymph nodes if their involvement is suspected.

There are natural options. I have used them and seen them used on many people. The natural treatment of melanoma and other skin cancer is viable and effective. I have written a book outlining my experiences of using a herbal paste with bloodroot as one of the main ingredients. I do not sell a product, I merely present the information so that people have a source of information and can be self-informed enough to have the confidence to make their own decision.

From my own experiences and also from seeing the results on other people I can assure you that these herbs work and they work profoundly.

I hope the researched information as well as the personal experiences in my e-book may be of assistance to anyone searching for natural methods of treatment for skin cancer.

My e-book is called "How to treat Skin Cancer Naturally". Click on the link below to find out more about the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am a qualified medical herbalist and have studied the use of herbs for the treatment of skin cancer in depth. My e-book "How to Treat Skin Cancer Naturally" gives you the specific herbs to use for skin cancer.

What you get in this book:

- descriptions of the main skin cancers

- the possible risks of biopsy

- fully referenced and supported by scientific studies

- in depth case studies, including my own personal experience with a family member

- and I outline exactly how some important herbs work to kill skin cancer.

For More Information:

Free Cancer Information

World Cancer Report

Released by IARC (International agency for research on cancer), a part of World health organization (WHO), World cancer report is a concise informative manual that have a clear description about global cancer statistics, causes, main types, early diagnosis and effective treatment. The director-general of WHO, Dr. Gro Brundtland states 'The report provides a basis for public health action and assists us in our goal to reduce the morbidity and mortality from cancer, and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families, everywhere in the world.'

Major findings

The report has published these results:

Tobacco- the most preventable cancer cause

In the last century, more than 100 million died all over the world from the diseases that are associated with tobacco consumption. These are:

* Cancer

* Chronic lung disease

* Stroke

* Cardiovascular disease

The regrettable fact is, the patients could have been prevented from such medical problem had they not used any tobacco. Lung cancer risk is 20 to 30 times more in smokers than non-smoking persons. About 90 % of all lung cancers are tobacco associated, in both men as well as women. In bladder and renal pelvis cancer, 50 per cent or more are due to smoking. For the cancer of mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus the RR is greater than six. For pancreatic carcinomas it is three to four. Stomach, liver, kidney, naval cavity, sinuses, esophagus (adenocarcinoma) cancer and myeloid leukemia two-three RR has been identified by the researchers. Even passive smoking can lead to lung cancer, and increases the risk by almost 20 percent. However, tobacco is not yet known to have any role in the incidence of prostate, breast and endometrial cancer of the uterine, since there is no evidence of this at present.

Infection is a great risk factor

Approximately 23 per cent of malignant diseases in developing countries occur due to the infections. These can cause:

* Liver Cancer (Hepatitis B and C virus)

* Cervical cancer (HPV, human papillomaviruses, HPV)

* Stomach cancer(Helicobacter pylori)

Whereas, in developing world, only 8 percent of all such malignancies are attributed to infectious agents.

Vaccines for prevention: These could be highly effective in treating cancers caused by infections. HBV vaccination is successfully being used to prevent liver cancer in countries where incidences are high and most probably HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination will also work within three to five years.

Diet is curing

Stomach cancer can be prevented from occurring if the intake of salt-free preserved meat and fish is avoided. In many countries of Europe, such as Switzerland and nearby places, mortality rate has decreased by 60 percent within one generation. It is hoped, in the coming 30 years, stomach cancer can become a rare type in many parts of the world. In many other countries like Japan, Korea, Brazil, and Portugal, where salted food is excessively eaten, the incidence of gastric cancer are high but fallen considerably.

According to studies, taking plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis can prevent or help in cancer recovery.

Strategies for cancer control

The aim of these procedures and techniques is to reduce the occurrence as well as the cancer death rate that is the ultimate consequence of the fatal disease. Post disease life improvement for the patient is also included. Treating the disorder is not enough, the care and health condition afterwards throughout one's life is considered also that is equally important. Early diagnosis is really essential to avoid further complications and off course the death of affected person.

The report has revealed information about all aspects of cancer including the statistics of incidence by each type all over the globe. Nutrition is a key factor, discussed in detail; various other facts are discovered in it.