New Discovery for Skin Cancer (Melanoma)
Because Chapters 1 and 2 cover body systems and how they work, I decided to research something about the integumentary system. Today, skin cancer is among the leading causes of death in America. Melanoma is a cancerous growths of melanocytes, which are the cells that produce our skin color (Tortora). We have all heard how damaging the sunlight can really be to our bodies, but why is it that no one listens? Many still continue to rebel, using tanning beds and soaking up the sun during summertime. Since it is so appealing to today’s society, this new discovery could be rewarding!
Recently, research has been carried out by Heide Niederleithner from the University Department of Dermatology at the MedUni Vienna (Medical University of Vienna). Basically, tests were conducted trying to figure out what protein could halt the formation of metastases, which is just the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. The protein found was Wnt-1, which would inhibit the formation of new metastases in malignant melanoma, thus, stopping the continued formation of new cancer cells (Medical University of Vienna).
This is an important discovery, especially in today’s society that enjoys being sun kissed rather than sun damaged. If the Wnt-1 protein can be put to use in patients who already have melanoma, it could inhibit the continued spread of the cancer which could prolong his or her life. In such a rebellious society that encourages attractive attributes, such as tan skin, this discovery could potentially save lives in the future!
Works Cited
1) Tortora, Gerard J. and Bryan Derrickson. “The Cellular Level Of Organization.” Principles of Anatomy & Physiology. 13th ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 104. Print.
2) Medical Universtiy of Vienna. “New Discoveries In Skin Cancer: Protein Inhibits Formation of Metastases.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2012): n. pag. Medical Xpress. 17 Aug. 2012. Web. 1 Sept. 2012. <http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-discoveries-skin-cancer-protein-inhibits.html>.
Very interesting article, cancer research is a fascinating and hot topic. One comment, do you think it is a better idea to conduct research on mitigating the effects of, usually, preventable diseases than to focus research on unpreventable ones? I realize that this will also help those with non UV-induced melanoma. However, the first thing this made me think of was tobacco companies extending this idea and throwing their big money at lung cancer prevention/alleviation research so that people could continue to smoke away without the fear of dying of lung cancer while that money could be better used helping people with non-preventable cancers. This is not a criticism, just food for though.
This is definitely great news. However, I think scientists also need to study how global warming and a weaker atmosphere will contribute to the evolution of the skin and if too much UV will cause other illnesses.
Does the study say if the scientists found a practical way to use this protein for the purposes mentioned in the article?