Lexi Cabrera, the WWE star who goes by the name Alexa Bliss professionally, recently shared her cancer journey with her fans.
The American wrestling star was diagnosed with skin cancer some time back and had been undergoing treatment for the same. Keep reading for a deeper look into her cancer battle.
Alexa’s Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
Alexa has been missing from the television for the past few weeks. This left fans wondering about her whereabouts. She, therefore, took to Twitter this week to clarify one of her Instagram stories which showed her facial scar.
She captioned her Instagram story re-post: “Dear younger me, You should have stayed out of tanning beds. All clear now though! Thank you @americanskininstitute for taking great care of me!”
Seeing this, many of her fans expressed their concerns and showered her with best wishes and support. She replied to all the love by Tweeting again.
“Thank you! Don’t worry, short healing time. Always get your skin checked! Esp if you are in the sun or use tanning beds! Lol.” She wrote.
There was also a follow-up Tweet in which she described her surgery circumstances.
“There was a spot on my face yes — that had gotten worse,” she wrote. “So went to get a biopsy. Was basal cell carcinoma. During my procedure doc also found other squamous cells. Was a quick and easy procedure. Glad I always get my skin checked.”
Alexa was quick to comfort her fans and made it clear that she is recovering well and that there is nothing to worry about now. However, fans couldn’t stop wondering about her disease.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
According to the Mayo Clinic:
“Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off.
“Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. Basal cell carcinoma occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck.
“Most basal cell carcinomas are thought to be caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen may help protect against basal cell carcinoma.”
Around two million people are diagnosed with BCC annually. The cancer that Bliss was diagnosed with, Basal Cell Carcinoma, is the second most common form of skin cancer in the U.S., accounting for about 15 percent of all skin cancers.
Detecting the Condition
According to the dermatologist, Dr. Hope Mitchell, “the classic appearance of BCC is a smooth, pink, pearly lesion with rolled borders.”
However, this isn’t the only way you might spot the symptoms. “Any skin lesion that is not healing or bleeding easily over extended periods of time raises concern for skin cancer,” she notes. “If skin cancer is suspected, a dermatologist should be seen for appropriate evaluation and potential biopsy.”
Luckily, surgery isn’t always needed to treat this medical condition.
“Treatment of BCC will depend greatly on the stage and depth of the lesion,” the doctor adds. “One treatment option for BCC is surgical excision of the lesion. This is the most common treatment and allows for the complete removal of skin cancer with clear margins, especially in a BCC that extends to the peripheral and/or deep tissue.
“Another option for treatment of BCC is topical treatments such as 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod in a lesion that is superficial and does not extend to the deep tissue.”
Preventing the Cancer
We’ve always been taught that “Prevention is better than cure.”
Here are the precautions you can take to protect yourself from Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Dr. Mitchell has agreed to Bliss’ warning about tanning beds being vital. She also stated that “there is no such thing as a safe tan,” indoors or outdoors.
Sunbathing increases the BCC risk by 24%. By using tanning beds before the age of 20, you also run a 47% higher risk of acquiring melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
We should be careful about not only just purposeful tanning but also sun exposure in general.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatology associate professor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, continues, “You can’t change your genetics, but you can control your lifestyle and environment. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection and the words ‘broad-spectrum’ on the bottle. This means it will protect you from both UVB and UVA rays.“
He says to apply a “shot glass amount for your entire sun-exposed skin” and to make sure to “reapply every two hours or immediately after heavy sweating or swimming.”
“While sunscreen application is important, sun protective behavior is just as important,” he adds. “Avoid peaks on during the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, sit in the shade when possible, and wear SPF-protecting clothing, hats, and sunglasses.”
However, to make sure you’re healthy, it is important to get regular check-ups done.
“Visit a board-certified dermatologist annually for a total body skin check,” Dr. Zeichner stresses. “Early detection can save your life.“
Conclusion
Alexa Bliss, the WWE star, was diagnosed with Basal Cell Cancer for which she underwent treatment. Following her tweets, she appears to be recovering well and has reassured her fans.
You must always be careful with your skin and undergo annual check-ups to make sure you are safe and healthy.
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