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When Was Skin Cancer First Discovered

The discovery of skin cancer is not well known. History of the skin cancer shows its evidence in 2,400 years old mummies found in Peru.

However, the French physician, René Laennec, should be given the credit to identify skin cancer in 1804.In 1787, Scottish anatomist and surgeon John Hunter operated and removed the first skin cancer. Although he was unaware of the disease, he gave the tumor the name 'cancerous fungus'. Later in 1968, scientists confirmed it as a melanoma.

Ancient Egypt, India and China had already discovered the symptoms of different types of cancer, and developed surgical treatment methods for these cancers. Hippocrates noted this fact through medical literatures of ancient India, ancient China and ancient Egypt.  

Both men and women are equally prone to skin cancer. This is directly related to the exposure of skin in open environment, including intense sunlight. Skin cancer results in a mixture of pink and yellow knots. Swelling of the skin occurs depending upon the type of skin cancer.

Exposure of skin to the direct sun light is one of the major causes of skin cancer. People with fair skin have less amount of melanin pigment. As a result their skin cannot control the effects of ultraviolet and infrared rays of the sun. This, in turn, leads to skin cancer over a period of time.

In order to confirm this disease, a biopsy is done by either incisional biopsy method or excisional biopsy method. Unlike excisional, only part of the cancer affected tissue is examined in the incisional method.

Radiotherapy is used very frequently to treat the cancer patients. Sometimes, surgical methods are also used.

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• When Was Skin Cancer First Discovered ?

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