Skin Conditions
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Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. There are several different types of skin cancer to be aware of:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma - the most common, slowest growth rate
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma – slow/moderate growth rate
- Melanoma - less common, more dangerous, rapid growth rate
What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
The primary symptom of any skin cancer is usually a mole, sore, lump, or growth on the skin. It is important to watch for any pigment changes in sores or bleeding from skin growths, as these are often associated with the development of skin cancer.
A useful method for remembering common symptoms is the ABCD System:
- Asymmetry: One half of the abnormal area is different from the other half.
- Borders: The lesion or growth has irregular edges.
- Color: Color changes from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, or blue). A mixture of colors may appear within one sore.
- Diameter: The trouble spot is usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser.
Type specific symptoms:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Appearance of pearly or waxy textured bumps
- White, light pink, flesh-colored or brown discoloration
- Raised skin
- A skin sore that bleeds easily
- A sore that does not heal
- Oozing or crusting spots in a sore
- Appearance of a scar-like sore without having injured the area
- Irregular blood vessels in or around the spot
- A sore with a depressed or sunken area in the middle
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Rough, scaly and flat reddish patches/bumps
- Changes in existing warts, mores or sores
- A sore that does not heal
What Are the Causes?
Regular exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation is the most common inducer of cancerous cells, especially among people with fair skin, blue or green eyes, with red or blond hair. Other risks include:
- Age
- Living in sunny climates or at high altitudes
- Long-term exposure to high intensity sunlight
- One or more blistering sunburns during childhood
- Use of tanning services/lotions
- Family history of melanoma
- Exposure to cancer causing chemicals, or
- Weakened immune system
Type specific symptoms:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma - develops from abnormal cell growth in the top layer of the epidermis or skin
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma - involves changes in cells in the middle layer of the skin known as squamous cells
- Melanoma - occurs in cells that produce pigment
What Are the Treatments?
Office Treatments:
KELOWNA LASER HAIR REMOVAL, KELOWNA BOTOX, & KELOWNA COOLSCULPTING CLINIC. Dr. Craig Crippen is a top cosmetic physician in the Kelowna Okanagan area. Dr. Crippen's Kelowna cosmetic center provides cosmetic surgery procedures, for both males and females, such as coolsculpting, botox, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, juvederm fillers, soft lift, face lift alternative, liposuction alternative, latisse, varicose vein treatments and more. If you're trying to find a Dr. of cosmetic surgery or a cosmetic surgery practice to perform minimally invasive procedures without high risk surgery, we can help. Our Web site also includes before and after cosmetic and aesthetic pictures, photos, and videos. Whether you say surgery, juviderm, botoxs, cirugia plastica, sugery, surgey, or surger; whether you are looking for a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, cirujano, surgon, surgen, surgons, or surgens, we've got you covered. KELOWNA LASER HAIR REMOVAL, KELOWNA BOTOX, & KELOWNA COOLSCULPTING CLINIC. Our clients come from a wide area around Kelowna and the Okanagan such as Vernon, Summerland, Penticton, Osoyoos, Kamloops, Trail, Castlegar, Prince George, Williams Lake, Rossland, Grand Forks, Nelson, Creston, and 100 Mile House. |
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