Transcript
Basal Cell Carcinoma
the most common type of skin cancer
Major Cause
• Sun exposure
What is it?
• Basal cell cancer develops in the basal cell layer of the skin.
• When the cells are damaged by UV rays, the DNA mutates and a tumor develops.
Who gets it?
• Anyone with a history of sun exposure
But the people at high risk have:
• Fair skin• Blonde or red hair• Blue, green, or grey eyes
Basal Cell – The Cancer
• Basal Cell Carcinoma can look like a small pimple but must be treated in the early stages.
• Through it does not spread to vital organs, it can grow, causing tissue destruction.
• If I waited, the surgeon may have had to use a skin graft to repair the wound.
My Personal Experience
As a child and young adult…
As a child I visited my father in Florida each summer, as a teenager I lived on the beach in central Florida, I went to college in Florida, then moved to the Bahamas.
Living on the coast, spending the majority of my time in the water and boating meant…
Tons of Sun !!!!
• <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_4jgUcxMezM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Tons of Sun !!!
• While I used sunscreen, I rarely protected my skin with a hat or clothing.
Biopsy
• This summer, I went to the dermatologist because I was concerned about two ‘bumps’ that seemed to have appeared over night.
• The dermatologist performed a biopsy. He shaved off the top layer of skin with a flexible razor and sent the sample to a laboratory.
I waited…
• The results of the biopsy were positive. I had basal-cell carcinoma on my cheek, forehead, and lip. However, it was the beginning of the school year and I didn’t want to miss the first month class.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery allows for
the removal of a skin
cancer with very narrow
surgical margin and a
high cure rate.
Day One
Plastic Surgeon
Although I do not have
any plastic in my face,
a plastic surgeon is
an artist. They ensure
the stitches do not
leave scars.
Day Two
The healing process…
Day Three Day Four
It gets worse before it gets better…
Day Five Day Six
The swelling decreasing…
Day Seven Day Nine
TodayDay 19
• The surgery was a painful process but with the help and patience of my friends and family, I survived.
Could this happen to you?
• Yes!!!
• “Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.” – National Cancer Institute
Can it be prevented?
• Yes!!!
• Wear sunscreen
• Limit sun exposure
• Wear a hat
• If you really want a tan, buy it, it comes in a bottle.
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