A treatment
option for
skin cancer
BY TERI R. WILLIAMS
It is estimated that more
than 3 million people
in the United States are
diagnosed with nonmelanoma
skin cancer
each year.
The skin is the body’s largest organ and its first line of
defense against harmful environmental factors such as UV
rays from the sun and germs. The skin also regulates body
temperature, removes some of the body's waste products
through sweat, and helps make vitamin D.
Performing these tasks on a daily basis can be somewhat
taxing. Occasionally, cells in the skin go awry and begin to
behave abnormally. These erratic cells may lead to noncancerous
(benign) growths that commonly appear as moles,
skin tags and warts.
Changes to skin cells can also cause precancerous
conditions. This means that the abnormal cells are not yet
cancer, but there is a chance that they may become cancer
if they aren’t treated.
114 Toombs County Magazine
Sometimes changes to skin cells produce non-melanoma
skin cancer. It is the most common type of skin cancer in
the world. Since cancerous growths can spread into and
destroy nearby tissue, it is important to begin treatment
right away. Non-melanoma skin cancer is divided into two
categories. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) starts in the round
basal cells found in the skin's top layer, or epidermis. BCC
makes up about 75%–80% of all skin cancers. Squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC) starts in the flat–or squamous–cells of the
epidermis's outer layer. SCC makes up about 20% of all skin
cancers. BCC and SCC tend to grow slowly and with regular
skin checks, can be found early.
As with all preventive medicine, the key to halting any
type of skin related disease lies in taking care of your body
and keeping an eye on anything suspicious. If you discover
something unusual, see a dermatologist. One newer option
for treating non-melanoma skin cancer is Superficial
Radiation Therapy (SRT), and it can be found right here in
Toombs County.
We contacted Lynnsey Denney who is a graduate
from Armstrong University with a degree in Radiologic
Science to find out more about SRT. Lindsay is a certified
Radiation Therapist and was trained by SkinCure Oncology
in the operation of the SRT machine. Lynnsey works at
Dermatology Associates in Vidalia with Lewis Collins, MD,
Michelle Reeves, PA-C, and A. Shai Hobbs, NP-C.
HEALTHY LIVING