Melanoma Madness
MELANOMA MADNESS
Melanoma Madness: The Anger and the Anguish
By: Luanne Hanners
SOC 313
Instructor: Ashley Whiting
January 31, 2011
Melanoma Madness: The Anger and the Anguish
The steady increase in the incidence of melanoma and its resistance to chemotherapy, together with its high potential to metastasize have emphasized the importance of its prevention because the key to treating melanoma is early recognition of symptoms. Melanoma is the most devastating form of skin cancer and for patients with melanoma that has spread beyond the skin and nearby lymph nodes, treatment is more difficult and at this point, usually not curable. Melanoma is a rare but very serious type of skin cancer in which the cells lose the ability to divide and grow normally. These abnormal skin cells can grow and from a mass or “tumor”. These tumors are considered benign of the cancer is limited to a few cell layers and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs. If the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues, it is considered malignant, or cancerous. Most skin growths are benign tumors. However, melanoma is a malignant skin growth because it can metastasize, which means it can spread to other parts of the body. When Melanoma spreads to vital organs like the brain or liver, it can be life-threatening. Fortunately, if diagnosed early and treated promptly, Melanoma can have a very high cure rate. ( Health Information Publications, 2009). Melanoma starts in the melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells found mainly in the epidermis (outer layer of skin). They make a dark material, melanin, which gives skin its natural color. Melanoma is serious because the malignant cells tend to spread rapidly from the skin to the internal organs.
In 2009, the American Melanoma Foundation released the following statistics: • About 1.3 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year and melanoma accounts for 4 percent of those cases. • Each year more
Melanoma Madness: The Anger and the Anguish
By: Luanne Hanners
SOC 313
Instructor: Ashley Whiting
January 31, 2011
Melanoma Madness: The Anger and the Anguish
The steady increase in the incidence of melanoma and its resistance to chemotherapy, together with its high potential to metastasize have emphasized the importance of its prevention because the key to treating melanoma is early recognition of symptoms. Melanoma is the most devastating form of skin cancer and for patients with melanoma that has spread beyond the skin and nearby lymph nodes, treatment is more difficult and at this point, usually not curable. Melanoma is a rare but very serious type of skin cancer in which the cells lose the ability to divide and grow normally. These abnormal skin cells can grow and from a mass or “tumor”. These tumors are considered benign of the cancer is limited to a few cell layers and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs. If the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues, it is considered malignant, or cancerous. Most skin growths are benign tumors. However, melanoma is a malignant skin growth because it can metastasize, which means it can spread to other parts of the body. When Melanoma spreads to vital organs like the brain or liver, it can be life-threatening. Fortunately, if diagnosed early and treated promptly, Melanoma can have a very high cure rate. ( Health Information Publications, 2009). Melanoma starts in the melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells found mainly in the epidermis (outer layer of skin). They make a dark material, melanin, which gives skin its natural color. Melanoma is serious because the malignant cells tend to spread rapidly from the skin to the internal organs.
In 2009, the American Melanoma Foundation released the following statistics: • About 1.3 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year and melanoma accounts for 4 percent of those cases. • Each year more
References: Falvo, D. (2009). Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability Adjustment. Surgical Clinics of North America. Vol 83(2). Retrieved January 16, 2011, from http://www.mpip.org/library/kneier.excerpt.html. Heim, E. (1991). Coping and Adaption in Cancer.Chichester. Wilel and Sons. Rittenberg, CN. (1993) Positive Thinking: An Unfair Burden for Cancer Patients? Supportive Care in Cancer 3: 37-39 Wray, W. (2010). Melanoma Watch http://www.pixidapps.co.uk Post Date Aug 5, 2010 Taylor SE., Kemeny, ME, Reed GM, Bower JE, Gruenewald TL