Running head: CASE STUDY: SKIN CANCER 1

Case Study: Skin Cancer
ITT Technical Institute

Case Study: Skin Cancer 2 The skin is one of the largest organs in the body in surface area and weight. The skin consists of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis. Beneath the dermis lies the hypodermis or subcutaneous fatty tissue. The skin has three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. The skin is an also an organ of protection, its primary function is to act as a barrier. An individual can get skin cancer one of the risk factors is sun exposure. Sun exposure is known as the major factor associated with all types of skin cancers. There are different types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, known as BCC, squamous cell carcinoma, known as SCC and melanoma. Chronic sun exposure incurred by consistent, repetitive sun exposure, by individuals who work outside is a risk factor. Individuals who go on vacation and spend hours in the sun are at risk, due to their skin has not adapted to the sun, which would be called acute sun expose. Acute sun exposure, depending on the time spent in the sun and your skin type, can result in sunburn. Sunburn is an injury to your skin which can cause pain and/or blistering. Childhood sun exposure may also play an important part in the development of these cancers later in adult life, where children play outside for hours in the summer. (http://www.ccohs.ca) Family history has been researched, and research shows a small percentage of melanoma cases are caused by family factors. In families that many generations have multiple melanoma cases are at higher risk. The major hereditary melanoma gene is labeled, CDKN2A, and is found to be mutated. (http://www.cancer.net) There are two basic types of genetic mutations: acquired and germ line. Acquired mutations are the most common cause of cancer. These occur from damage to a person’s genes during their life. These types of mutations are not passed on from a parent to a child. Some examples as to how these genes are damaged could be, but not limited to,
Case Study: Skin Cancer 3
The use of tobacco, expose to UV radiation (such as sunlight or tanning beds), a virus and someone’s age. Indoor tanning sessions also raise the tanner’s odds of developing non melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and the basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent. Research shows that about 5 percent of the non-melanoma diagnosed each year can be attributed to indoor tanning. (The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, 2012) Acquired mutations are more common than germ line mutations. Germ line mutation are typically passed from a parent to a child, these are commonly called inherited cancer. This mutation can be in every cell of a person’s body from birth. Mutations happen often, but the human body normally can correct most of the cell changes. Depending on where in the gene the change occurs. Mutation could be beneficial, harmful or make no difference at all. It would take multiple mutations like this to cause cancer. This is why cancer usually occurs in older people where the mutations build up. (http://www.cancer.net/) Those who are genetically predisposed to skin cancer it would be recommended that they not use tanning beds and limit the time in direct sun. It would also be recommended to use a sunscreen at all times, even during the winter months. Genes that control the color of someone’s skin, hair and eye color are primarily controlled by the amount of pigment called melanin. There are specialized cells that produce the melanin, and those cells are called melanocytes. There are three pigments that affect the skin color and those are: 1. Melanin 2. Hemoglobin 3. Carotene (The Genetics of Eye Color, Hudson Alpha Institute, www.hudsonalpha.org)

Case Study: Skin Cancer 4
References
http://www.ccohs.ca http://www.cancer.net The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, 2012
The Genetics of Eye Color, Hudson Alpha Institute, www.hudsonalpha.org