Soaking Up the Sun

Module 02 Case Study: Integumentary System

Sonia Miller

Rasmussen College

This Case Study is being entered on October 16, 2015 for Dr. Brad Northrup’s MA278/BSC2346 Section 06 Human Anatomy and Physiology I course.

Part I- “Soaking Up the Sun” Questions

1. Some of the differences between Judy and Mariah that make Judy more “at risk” for skin cancer than Mariah is Judy’s light skin. People with darker skin-color have more natural defense from the sun (Skin Types and At Risk Groups, 2015).

2. Concerning her mole Judy observed that it was itchy, it was a little bigger than usual, and the edges were now jagged. One edge was a bit darker than the other, the middle was a raised up purplish-black dot. These are all signs of cancer according to the ABCDE’s.

They could have used the ABCDE’s of skin cancer to further assist their observations by checking for asymmetry, diameter, and firmness (Melanoma, 2007).

3. Judy should be concerned because according to the ABCDE’s of cancer she has at least four warning signs of melanoma (Melanoma, 2007).

Part II- “The Basics of Cancer” Questions

1. Considering the differences between benign tumor and malignant tumor, benign tumor would be easier to treat because, according to Judy’s doctor, benign tumors are not considered cancer. Malignant tumors are a mass of abnormal cells whose growth cannot be controlled by regular mechanisms (What is cancer?, 2015).

2. Normal circumstances where our bodies might need to make more cells are to replace skin cells that fall off daily. The skin is continuously replacing its main cell because new skin cells are created on the deep in the skin as old skin cells on the surface die and shed.

In order for the skin to make more cells the skin would have to be specifically damaged in a way that the structures residing in the skin endure the damage, then hair pigment, oil and sweat glands may redevelop. If they do not survive, then the new skin may lose these features (Skin...