HSC 4201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: American Cancer Society, Background Radiation, Melanoma
Document Summary
Sources of natural radiation are: extraterrestrial. The radiation we receive originating from outside our solar system can be considered negligible from a health point of view. The radiation form the sun is considerable. Comprises energy in many wavelengths, including: visible light, heat, ultraviolet (uv) radiation. Includes energy at wavelengths between 0 to 400 nanometers (nm) Is uv radiation between 290 and 330 nanometers. The incidence rate of skin cancer has been increasing about 3% a year. Majority of cases are highly curable basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the most common forms of cancer. The most serious and least common skin cancer is malignant melanoma. The american cancer society estimates that: more than 76,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed, 9,480 patients will die from this disease in 2013. This type of skin cancer is so dangerous because of its ability to grown and spread quickly. It is curable if it is discovered and treated early.
