Go to SCI: Skin Cancer Investigation and enter the site.  Begin with the Healthy Skin section and read about the three layers of the skin by clicking on the image of the skin on the right. Next answer these questions:

1. What are the types of cells in      the epidermis and how are they related to each other?
2. What is melanin and what is its      role in the epidermis?
3. What is keratin and what does      it do?
4. What are the two primary      features of the dermis?
5. Describe the subcutaneous      tissue.

To continue through the interactive, click on the right arrow at the bottom of the screen to go to the section Effects of the Sun on the Skin and watch the animation about the benefits of the sun and risks of sunlight. Then answer these questions:

1. Name the main benefits of      sunlight.
2. What are some of the benefits      of the sun’s UV rays?
3. How are these rays harmful?

Now go to the section titled Causes and read about how over-exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Watch the animation on how normal cells multiply and divide to replace damaged or dead cells. Then answer these questions:

1. How do UV rays affect normal cell      division?
2. Why do some people have a      greater chance of developing skin cancer compared to others?

Continue on to Tumors and answer this question:

1. What are the main differences      between benign and malignant tumors?

Now click on and read the Common Risk Factors. Click on each factor to learn more about the risks. Then answer these questions:

1. What are the five most common      modifiable risk factors of skin cancer?
2. How can where you live increase      your chances of developing skin cancer?
3. How does genetics play a role?
4. What is actinic keratosis?

Now go to the Glowell Clinic: Lab. Click on any patient file where an image of a growth will appear along with the patient’s history.

Review the list of symptoms and check those that describe the growth. Decide whether the growth is cancerous or not. Select the next patient and complete the same steps.

Patient

Symptoms

Cancerous?

A

B

C

D

E

F