Meet Joe

Facts About Joe Joe lives in California and works for a big technology corporation. Joe likes to spend all of his free time at the beach. He surfs and suntans when ever he can. He sometimes forgets sun block. He also has fair skin with freckles.

When he goes to the beach he stays in the sun for hours and only a little time in the shade. He also runs around in only his trunks, no protective clothing at all.

One day while looking in the mirror he notices that he got a new freckle on his chest. He doesn’t think any thing about it and continues on his marry way. A couple weeks later he notices that his freckle has grown a little bit, but he thinks that maybe his freckle decided to turn into a mole. So once again he just keeps on doing what he is doing

What’s Wrong With Joe’s Reasoning What are some things he should be considering now? Going to the doctor He may have skin cancer

Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and continues to rapidly increase.

Melanoma Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. Cancer of melanocytes and is about 5% of cancers. Most appear spontaneously and occur wherever there is color. Will manifest as a mole that has undergone sudden changes in shape, color, or diameter, or suspicious changes such as swelling, scaliness, itching, oozing or bleeding. If left untreated, the tumor can spread downward into deeper skin layers, and to lymph nodes and internal organs.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma This condition develops in the epidermis when squamous cells divide abnormally. Squamous cell carcinoma appears as a pink, red or fleshy growth, often with whitish scales on the skin. Areas that receive high levels of exposure to the sun, such as the head, neck and top of the hands, are where squamous cell carcinoma usually develops. Squamous cell is more likely than basal cell carcinoma to spread to lymph nodes and internal organs, though this occurs in only 2 to 3 percent of patients.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma This cancer develops in the lower layer of the epidermis, called the stratum basal layer. Basal cell carcinoma can appear as a shiny red dome shaped nodules that later turn into ulcers. Basal cell carcinoma is most commonly found on areas of the body that receive significant exposure to the sun, such as the head and neck. The condition grows slowly, but, left untreated, it can invade surrounding tissue or even spread to other organs.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

What is One Way Could Joe Have Used To Diagnose Himself?

The ABCD's of Melanoma Follow the ABCD's to identify any abnormal moles. Asymmetry - One half of the mole does not match the other half in size, shape, color, or thickness Border - The edges are ragged, scalloped, blurred, or poorly defined Color - The color of the mole is not the same throughout or it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue Diameter - Melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter, but they can be smaller

Skin and Aging Epidermal replacement of cells slows and skin becomes thinner Skin becomes dry and itchy Subcutaneous fat layer diminishes, leading to intolerance of cold Decreased elasticity and loss of subcutaneous tissue leads to wrinkles Decreased numbers of melanocytes and Langerhans’ cells increase the risk of skin cancer

What Could He Have Done to Prevent Skin Cancer? Sunscreen Spend more time in the shade Wear protective clothing: Long sleeve shirts, pants, hats, etc Gone to see a doctor immediately