Skin cancer

So I have been seeing this picture all over Instagram and was eager to know the story behind it. Got to find out that a “celebrity ” will be visiting Nigeria my beloved country just to sell bleaching cream and she’s in collaboration with a “she-he”, almost transparent individual.

Like why Nigeria of all countries ?

Is our problem not much already to add skin cancer to our issues?

What happened to her Country or even neighbouring countries? Why travel more than 8 hours to Nigeria just to aid in destroying the beautiful skins of Nigerians? This is so disheartening, it definitely depicts how we Nigerians are seen by other countries .

Earlier,  I had engaged a few friends on this bleaching issue, discussing on the possible reason behind ladies bleaching their skin, we couldn’t fathom the reason beside flimsy excuses like

  • Their significant other preferred fair ladies
  • It’s the trendy complexion
  • Fair ladies are beautiful
  • Company’s billboards are mostly modelled by fair ladies
  • Fair! Fair!! Fari!!!

Like what nonsense? I scream to anyone who has ear, everyone is beautiful. Beauty isn’t judged solely on physical looks, other factors are considered when it comes to beauty. Whether melanin popping or oyibo “pepperipe” you are God’s creature and whatever he creates, always stands out and the best, he doesn’t do substandard stuff.

So hey cutie, if you are feeling or have been told or believe you are not upto society standard. Get a mirror,  admire yourself while telling yourself you are wonderfully and beautifully created and you need no validation from anyone nor any bleaching cream bhet if you really need to hear it from someone then I, Chimnaza is saying ” *girl you are so beautiful ? with hugs*”

Yes, I agree to an extent being fair in complexion is the trendy complexion bhet in a scenario where you were created to be as black as myself, is it enough reason to get fast result with long term death sentence ? Moreover everyone must not be fair, some are melanin for the variety spice of life. Spicing up life is way better than being bored out with a particular way of life.

If you have or find out your significant other prefer fair girls to you or fair guys to you, it should be percieved as a Red flag and you should have a rethink while the day is still young. If fair significant other is your choice, please leave the chocolatey flavoured others to be, they are other people’s choice…. I mean you can’t have your cake and eat it too? but these hunkus that make ladies bleach their skin, what’s your problem really??

Gone are the days when only fair ladies were the only models for billboards.  A movement is on and the melanin beauties are being recognised too. It shouldn’t be a reason to bleach anymore. If you really want to be on billboards that much, pay for one and be your own model. Though I believe more orientation and awareness should be carried out, enlightening these companies that choose fair models over dark models on the importance of melanin models too.

Reading articles online, it’s believed that in 10-15 years from today, skin cancer will be one of the most common cancers in the world taking over CVD with prevalence in Nigeria if care isn’t taken especially with the rate at which mix-mix creams are springing up in market these days.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer- zanaposh.com

Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin of which there are three major types of skin cancers: Basal Cell Carcinoma  (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma(SCC), and Melanoma where the first two skin cancers are grouped together as non-melanoma skin cancers. Other unusual types of skin cancer include Merkel cell tumors and dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans.

Possible causes

  • Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
  • Use of tanning booths
  • Immunosuppression, or impairment of the immune system.
  • Exposure to unusually high levels of radiation like X-rays.
  • Contact with certain chemicals, such as arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers) and hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (which may cause squamous cell carcinoma)

The following people are at the greatest risk of skin cancer:

  • People with fair skin, especially types that freckle, sunburn easily, or become painful under the sun
  • People with light (blond or red) hair and blue or green eyes
  • Those with certain genetic disorders that deplete skin pigment , like albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum.
  • People who have already been treated for skin cancer
  • People with numerous moles, unusual moles, or large moles that were present at birth
  • People with close family members who have developed skin cancer
  • People who had at least one severe sunburn early in life.
  • People with burns unrelated to sunburn
  • People with indoor outdoor recreational habits and indoor Occupations.

Skin Cancer Symptoms

Skin cancer

Skin cancer symptoms depend on the type of skin cancer that has developed.

A basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck, or shoulders. Others signs include:

  • Small blood vessels that may be visible within the tumor.
  • A central depression with crusting and bleeding (ulceration).
  • A BCC often appears as a sore that does not heal.

A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly a well-defined, red, scaling, thickened bump on sun-exposed skin. It may ulcerate and bleed, and if left untreated, may develop into a large mass.

The majority of malignant or cancerous melanomas are brown-to-black pigmented lesions. Other signs of a cancerous melanoma include:
  • A change in size, shape, color, or elevation of a mole
  • The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, or new pain, itching, ulceration, or bleeding of an existing mole.

Prevention

  • Avoid these bleaching creams and mix-mix
  • Avoid significant other/friends that make you feel inferior because of your complexion
  • Daily Sunscreen use
  • Avoid artificial tanning booths
  • If you are likely to sunburn, wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Conduct monthly self-exam.
  • Be comfortable in your skin

Complications of skin cancer 

Potential complications of skin cancer include:

  • recurrence, where your cancer comes back
  • local recurrence, where cancer cells spread to surrounding tissues
  • metastasis, where cancer cells spread to muscles, nerves, or other organs in your body

If you’ve had skin cancer, you’re at heightened risk of developing it again in another location. If your skin cancer recurs, your treatment options will depend on the type, location, and size of the cancer, and your health and prior skin cancer treatment history.

Treatment

*Visit the hospital first for diagnosis on the type of skin cancer followed by recommended treatment regimen*

Remember we can avoid these now… don’t sign your death warrant for some nonsense temporal pleasure and attention.

These people you are trying to please won’t suffer nor bear the skin cancer pains tomorrow with you, highest they will pray for you.

Please receive sense and be aware that skin cancer is dangerous.