Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma
The first thing that springs to mind about cigarette smoking is Lung cancer. Many people don’t consider cigarette smoking a risk factor for Cutaneous melanoma. But it is. Here we’ll discuss whether smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of cutaneous melanoma cancer and what other risk factors may also be responsible.
What is Cutaneous melanoma?
Cutaneous melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) become cancerous and grow out of control. The disease usually begins in the skin, but it can also start in other body parts where melanocytes are found, including the eyes and intestines.
Symptoms of Cutaneous melanoma:
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Cigarette Smoking
Smoking can lower your body’s ability to repair itself from UV damage, increasing your risk of skin cancer.
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New Moles or Worsening Moles
If a mole starts to bleed or has an irregular shape, it could mean that you have cutaneous melanoma and should see a doctor immediately.
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Change in Skin Texture
It can affect the skin’s texture by causing it to become rough or scaly. Lesions with this type of change are more likely to develop into cancerous tumours than those without these symptoms.
Diagnosis of Cutaneous Melanoma
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Physical exam
Your doctor will examine your skin from head to toe using a magnifying lens to check for suspicious moles and growths.
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Biopsy
If your doctor finds a suspicious mole or growth, they will perform a biopsy to determine whether it’s cancerous. A little bit of tissue is taken and checked for cancer cells during this process.
Conclusion
Cigarette smokers are among the high-risk group for melanoma skin cancer. They do not realize that their smoking habit is one of the strongest risk factors for contracting this life-threatening cancer. Contact Prolife Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Pune for more detail.
About Dr. Sumit Shah
Dr. Sumit Shah has treated more than 20000 cancer patients. He is one of the few cancer specialists in Pune who perform Minimal Access (keyhole) Surgery to offer his patients a smooth & pain-free recovery from Cancer.