The Melanoma Epidemic

A growing health concern for people of a state level society is the impact of carcinogens. If carcinogens influence an individual significantly, they will develop a disease commonly known as cancer. Cancer exists in various forms, as it affects almost any part of the body. One common form is cancer of the skin. Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a potentially fatal type of skin cancer. Within Caucasian populations, the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma continues to rise. Australia, which has a dominantly Caucasian populous, is considered the skin cancer capital of the world, with more than one thousand four hundred fatalities each year.

What is Melanoma?

Before discussing why this epidemic exists, it is first important to understand the biological basis of this potentially fatal disease. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that develops in the junction between the dermis and the epidermis. Within this junction are cells called melanocytes. These cells are responsible for producing melanin. When melanocytes naturally produce melanin, it gives the surface of the skin its pigment or tone.Individuals who possess darker skin have more melanocytes, which thereby produce more melanin than individuals with farer skin.

Malignant melanomas appear as a darkened patch visible on the surface of the skin. These tumors are formed by the proliferation of melanocytes between the dermis and the epidermis. This patch-like appearance is due to the proliferation of melanocytes that spread parallel to the epidermis within the junction.

The Causes of Melanoma and Why it is Occurring More Often...

Amongst many possible causes, the primary cause of an individual contracting the disease of melanoma is because of an overexposure to ultra-violet radiation. Ultra-violet radiation has always existed (as its source is the sun), and the environment naturally protects us from its harmful effects on our skin.

To counteract the naturally harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, the ecosystem developed the ozone layer. It functions to protect living organisms from being over-exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

The Ozone Layer is the Invisible Protector

Ozone is a molecule that is composed of three parts oxygen, developed by a photochemical reaction with nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is produced naturally through the decay of plant and animal matter, as well as through electrical storms. The highest concentration of ozone in the atmosphere is located in the stratosphere (an atmospheric layer located approximately twenty to thirty kilometers above ground level). This layer of ozone serves to absorb the sun's ultraviolet rays in order that living organisms are protected in the troposphere (the atmospheric layer located below the stratosphere).

Human Impact on the Ozone Layer

However, human impact has reversed the concentration of ozone within the stratosphere and troposphere. Instead of the highest concentration existing within the stratosphere, it is evident that higher concentrations of ozone have moved into the troposphere, especially within urban areas. This ecological reversal has been primarily caused by the modern usage of the combustible engine. Because combustible engines produce vast amounts of nitrogen dioxide, the result is an excess accumulation of ozone in the troposphere, while the original ozone layer of the stratosphere is depleted.

Unfortunate to all living things within an affected ecosystem, this creates a significant increase in ultraviolet radiation. It is especially important to understand that the Ozone layer has the ability to correct itself and repair the damages that humans have already done. Through positive environmental habits, and a positive mindset it really is possible to impact our environment and skies in the right way.

The following sources were used to complete this article: Andrews, W. A. (1994). Protecting the Ozone Layer, Environmental Studies Board, (1984). Causes and Effects of Changes is Stratospheric Ozone: Update 1983, The Cancer Council Australia. (2005) Profile and Annual Report 2005, Armstrong, B. K., & Giles, G. G. (1996). Has Mortality from Melanoma Stopped Rising in Australia? Analysis of Trends between 1931 and 1994. British Medical Journal.