Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that grows in a certain specific type of skin cell. Cancer outbreak begins when cancerous cells in our body spread and multiply.
The top layer of the skin or epidermis is made up of squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. These melanocytes help the skin from harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation by producing melanin. But sometimes, these melanocytes behave in a weird pattern and grow in an uncontrolled manner by penetrating in the lower layers of skin, giving rise to cancer cells called melanoma.
Melanoma produces a brown pigment called melanin and hence the color of our skin. Let us understand the causes and stats on melanoma, the worst type of skin cancer.
The UV rays of the sun can damage the skin cells. Melanin safeguards the deeper layers of our skin from the sun rays. The reason behind darkening or tanning of the skin in sunlight is due to melanocytes producing more pigment.
Most skin cancers are caused by constant exposure to the sun rays. It is said that UV-A and UV-B rays are the primary cause of melanoma. But melanoma cancer is caused by environmental location and partly due to genes. However, experts believe that factors such as fair skin complexion that freckles or can burn easily, multiple moles on the face, five or more atypical moles and family history, red or light colored hair also play a role in this.
Apart from the above factors, another one is using tanning beds, which emit dangerous UV rays to speed up the tanning process. Usage of tanning beds under the age of 30 years can pose a severe risk for melanoma.
Contrary to the belief that melanoma only occurs on the face, it is not entirely true. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin including eyes, neck, chest, genitals, and even anal area.
Not just melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer are most common types of skin cancers. But melanoma is the worst type of skin cancer and very dangerous if spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is the fifth most common type of cancer found in men. On an estimate, melanoma accounts for around 1 percent of all the skin cancer in the country. If one goes by racial factors, around 2.6 percent of whites, 0.1 percent of blacks, and 0.58 percent of Hispanics are affected by melanoma.
Age also plays a big role in contracting melanoma. Though 63 years is the average age when melanoma is diagnosed, some people are even at the age of 30 years. Statistics show that melanoma cases have drastically increased over the past three decades. Talking of survival rate, melanoma has five-year survival rate over 98 percent, if diagnosed in the earlier stage. Around 11 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapies have been developed for treating melanoma.
Though melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer, it is curable at an early stage. With little prevention and protecting the skin from UV rays, you can prevent the outbreak of melanoma skin cancer.
If you are a crazy fan of American football, baseball, basketball, hockey, or soccer, and you enjoy hosting parties for friends and family during playoffs, then add to that thrilling combination a few mouthwatering recipes.
Apart from large bowls of colorful fruits, freshly roasted peanuts, almonds or pistachios, and large pitchers of cold chocolate milk or minty lemonade that you could offer your guests, here are a few appetizing dishes that taste heavenly.
Place a large pot over medium heat. Melt four tablespoons of butter. Add one large cubed potato, a diced onion, a few cloves of garlic, salt to taste, and stir fry these for a few minutes. Add four cups of cubed farm fresh pumpkin to this pot, and after about 15 minutes when the vegetables become tender, switch off the heat and let this cool. Then blend into a smooth paste.
Heat the pot again, pour the blended mixture and bring it to a boil. Switch off the flame, garnish with a pinch each of crushed pepper, nutmeg powder, and a shot of fresh cream. Add some fresh rosemary and serve hot.
Cut a large cauliflower into bite size pieces. In a large bowl, combine two tablespoons each of chickpea/gram flour and rice flour, one teaspoon of red chili powder, a few pods crushed garlic and salt to taste. Mix these well and add a tablespoon of hot oil and enough water to get a batter like consistency.
Toss the cauliflower pieces into this batter, ensuring every piece is completely coated. Place the cauliflower pieces in a preheated oven and bake until they become crispy. Make sure you lightly turn over the florets every few minutes. Serve these hot with a yummy yogurt blue cheese dip.
In a bowl, whisk together one cup of greek yogurt, one tablespoon of lemon juice, some finely chopped scallions and fresh parsley, one-fourth cup of blue cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper. The protein and calcium rich yogurt blue cheese dip is now ready.
Heat a pan and melt 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add a cup of brown sugar and stir continuously. Stir in three cups of chocolate chips and keep stirring till they melt and combine well with the butter sugar mixture. Remove it from the heat and immediately add four eggs, four teaspoons of vanilla essence, five tablespoons of flour, three tablespoons of cocoa powder, and one teaspoon of salt and mix everything thoroughly.
Pour this chocolatey mixture into a pan and slide it into an oven and bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. After the brownies are done, spread some peanut butter on them, dust a little powdered sugar on top, and let them melt in your mouth.
Fashion is such an individualized thing. Everyone is different and therefore everyone has personal preferences when it comes to different types of dresses. One thing is true though; it’s important to have at least one versatile and flattering dress in your wardrobe. When determining what type to choose, there are several styles to consider that can be appropriate for different types of events and different figures.
Women today attend many events that require dressing up for the occasion. These may include weddings, dates, parties, work events, and brunch. When looking to buy a dress to suit a wide range of occasions, here are some flattering options for all ages and body types:
1. Wrap dresses
Wrap dresses are exactly what they sound like. These dresses are pulled together with a front closure. One side of the dress is wrapped across the front and then either goes behind the back part of the waist to either be attached by buttons or tied. The construction of this dress creates a v-neck front. It also accentuates the curves of the wearer in the chest area.
2. Maxi dresses
Maxi dresses are a great option for many occasions. They are long and go to the floor. Generally, they are designed to fit the body on the top, and then be flowy and long on the bottom. The fun thing about them is they can feature many different necklines and come in various patterns and colors. This makes them very individualized to the person.
3. A-Line dresses
A-line dresses are named after the shape they take on the body, which is an “A”. They fit to the top part of the body and begin to flare gradually out at the waist and hips, becoming wider as the hem progresses. A-line clothing can be found not just in dresses, but also in coats and skirts.
4. Little black dresses
Everyone has heard of the little black dress. This is such a versatile option that can be found in your closet. It can be dressed up or down for numerous types of events. As a general design, it is usually a simple dress that tends to be quite short. The elegance and simplicity create a fairly blank canvas that allows you to create the exact type of look that you want. Many designers provide limitless options for this much-needed wardrobe essential. Victoria Beckham cocktail dresses are one good brand to consider.
5. Mini dresses
A mini, or short dress that hangs just above the knees is a common style. This design became popular in the 1920’s. It was later revitalized in the 1960s, and has remained an integral part of many wardrobes ever since. A mini shift style dress is a loose-fitting dress that is very comfortable and does not fit tightly around the waist or any part of the body. It is loose at both the hips and the waist so the dress falls loosely down from the shoulders all the way down to the bottom of the dress. Darts are generally located in the bust area. It is a straight silhouette that can be flattering for those that have bodies that are shaped more like a column and it also elongates petite figures as it shows off the legs.
When shopping for dresses, every designer has his or her own individual interpretation. It is fun, and a great idea to look at the individual designers and fashion forward celebrities to find the one that fits your aesthetic most closely. Also, remember that designers also have many other clothing options. As an example, when looking at what stars wear, like Kourtney Kardashian or Victoria Beckham (blouses, skirts, dresses and pants), you might find a designer that the star tends to wear a lot that you can draw inspiration from.
The right handbag can really accentuate your outfit of the day. There are also many styles and functions for different handbags. You could have a handback that works as a daily driver – a bag that you take to run errands or to the store. You could also have a bag that’s perfect for traveling or for a night out. Whatever the case may be, these are five handbags that are sure to be everywhere this season:
1. Versace Chunky Chain Bag
This Versace bag features a chunky chain which really is the stand out feature on this bag. The chain provides a cool effect when you wear it, that really draws your eyes to it. In typical Versace fashion, the chunky chain bag is made of high quality materials and is a great value for the price.
2. Lanvin Puffy Cloud Bag
The Lanvin Puffy Cloud Bag is another bag you’ll be seeing a lot of in 2021. This bag is one of the top trends in handbags right now, and for good reason. The Lanvin quality is apparent and you can really wear this on any occasion, formal or casual.
3. Stella McCartney Hobo Bag
The Stella McCartney Hobo bag has a relaxed look about it. It appears slightly slouched in nature, which provides a really cool effect. This bag can be dressed up for a nice, formal event or dressed down for a nice casual day. This bag is incredibly versatile and provides enough room for all of your belongings. It has two slip pockets and an interior compartment for maximum storage. This is one bag that can really do it all.
4. Bottega Veneta Fisherman Shoulder Bag
The Bottega Veneta Fisherman Shoulder Bag is extremely trendy right now, and for good reason. The bag features a scale like pattern which is the standout feature. It also features a shoulder strap for great versatility and a super comfortable wear. The bag features high quality materials and enough room to keep all your belongings stored nicely. This bag leans a bit casual but is a great bag if you’re looking to make a statement throughout the day.
5. Fendi Fluffy Feathers Bag
The Fendi fluffy feathers bag is a bag that’s sure to make a statement. This bag is made of high quality materials, in typical Fendi fashion. The fluffy feathers bag is covered in ostrich feathers. This bag is incredibly unique and will turn all the heads. It’s also very versatile in that all of the straps are detachable so you could wear this as a shoulder bag or as a little handheld purse. When you pair this with a stunning dress, you will be sure to turn heads at any formal event or night out on the town.
These bags can be found at many of your favorite retailers and department stores. Make sure to shop Saks Fifth Avenue bags for the latest in deals and trends for the 2021 year.
Jewelry is the one of the best accent pieces for any outfit you choose to wear. The right necklace, or the right bracelet, can really put the finishing touch on an amazing outfit. You may opt to wear a necklace on a night out, or a set of bangles to run some errands. Either way there are a few styling hacks to help maximize your jewelry. Here are six jewelry styling hacks to follow:
1. Use earrings for a pop of color
It can be a great idea to match a few pieces of jewelry, however, when they’re all very similar in style and color, they can really blend together. To solve this issue, try using earrings to create that pop of color. Earrings can really balance out an outfit
2. Know when it’s too much
Jewelry can provide a great accent to your favorite outfit but you need to be careful you don’t overdo it. By having too much, you’re really taking away from the effect your jewelry adds to your outfit
3. Personalize with statement jewelry
Something like customized wrist bracelets can be super personal. This can be a piece that no one has that truly stands out on its own. These are often hard to duplicate because they’re one of a kind and customized. Check Kay Jewelers clearance sale and see if there’s anything that you could customize and make truly unique
4. Minimal jewelry with patterned clothing
When your outfit is full of patterns, it’s already incredibly loud. Something like stripes or plaid can be a super powerful statement in itself so when picking out jewelry, make sure to keep it minimal. When it’s overdone it can have the opposite effect of what you’re looking for. One simple necklace or bracelet can be a nice, quick addition to a loud outfit with many patterns
5. Create layers with necklaces and bangles
Sometimes when we wear jewelry it can be hard to get the most out of it. Sometimes our jewelry is too thin and won’t really pop with our outfits. That’s where layering comes into play. By layering bangles you can create a super nice, textured set of bracelets that will surely stand out. With necklaces, you want to look at the style and length. By mixing and layering different necklace lengths, you can create the illusion of a much bigger piece and have them all flow together seamlessly. Either way, you really can’t go wrong with layering
6. Mix metals in jewelry
Most jewelry is made of various metals like gold, silver, and platinum. By combining different metals, you can really make them pop. When mixing and matching gold and silver you really create a palate with different colors and materials. It helps them stand out. When you wear all your jewellery in one material or one color, the pieces tend to blend in with each other. Mixing metals will help your pieces to really make a statement
When choosing jewelry, make sure to follow these 6 hacks for best results!
