Skin cancer is a malignancy in the skin that affects millions of Americans every year. Although it is one of the most common cancers among all types, it is highly curable when treated at the earlier stages. This disease is often associated with UV rays, radiation and now, even pollutants.
Types
There are three common types of this cancer. They are classified according to the type of skin cell affected by the malignancy.
-
Basal cell carcinoma: Known to be the most widespread, this type develops underneath the epidermis. Body parts that are often exposed to UV rays, such as neck and head, are the most commonly affected. Although this type is the most common, the growth of cancer cells is still relatively slow and the rate of spreading is highly unlikely. Nonetheless, worsening is still possible.
-
Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of skin cancer is the second most common. It is often more visible as it affects the top layer of the epidermis. Also often occurring on body parts exposed to sunlight, it is seen on the surface in the form of reddish lumps. When not cured earlier, it can spread to hidden body surfaces and ultimately, even the lymph nodes.
-
Melanoma: This aggressive form is the most fatal of all, and in fact, most deaths accounted for cancer of the skin are blamed on this type. It causes abnormalities in the pigment cells known as melanocytes, located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. And because Caucasians have more melanocytes than brown people and African Americans, they are ten times more susceptible to this dangerous disease.
There is a fourth type of cancer of the skin but this is extremely rare. Called Merkel cell carcinoma, this type is associated to a virus and can only affect old people and those who have weak immune systems.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of skin cancer are any changes in size, color, shape or texture of an already existing mole. A mole that increases in size, becomes rough or itchy, or bleeds, should be brought to a doctor right away. Also, any development of new moles should be monitored.

When treating pain, if treating an adult with oral methadone one should always start with a low dosage and titrate the dose upward until the patient achieves adequate pain relief. Generally one starts with a dose of 2.5 mg and then gradually increases up to 10 mg, with a frequency of administration of roughly 10 hours.
Benadryl is not a medication anyone should take lightly. Although you may feel that an overdose on this medication is impossible, this is not true. You can not only overdose by taking too much Benadryl, but you can harm your body in a variety of other ways as well. Read through this article to learn more about the risks of taking too much Benadryl.
Pravastatin is the generic name for Pravachol, one of the earliest statins used to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Since it is one of the most mild statins in terms of efficacy, its side effect profile is typically the most benign of the entire class. Nonetheless, there are still several side effects of this drug that one needs to look out for.


The Types of Cough Medicines
Many people are using over the counter sleeping aids. These might not boast the same level of efficiency as the ones prescribed by a doctor where their side effects are well-known. Here is the reason why over the counter sleep aids are so popular.