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Skin Cancer
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Published: November 6, 2006
Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the outer layers of one's skin. There are several different forms of skin cancer, the most common being basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer.
Those with light skin tones who have spent a lot of time in the sun are the most prone to developing skin cancer, which can occur anywhere on the body. Most commonly, though, skin cancer forms in areas receiving the most sun exposure, such as the face, shoulders and arms.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, which begins in the same skin cells (called melanocytes) responsible for giving skin its color. Overexposure to the sun can cause these cells to grow abnormally, becoming cancerous. The first signs of melanoma are changes in the size, color or shape of a mole, or the growth of an entirely new mole.
What causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer usually results from a combination of UV damage due to overexposure to the sun (sunburn damage) and the total amount of time spent in the sun throughout years. Other factors also contribute to the formation of this skin disease.
UV damage and time spent in the sun will not always directly lead to skin cancer. Heredity and living environment, among other factors, may contribute to the onset of skin cancer. Each of these factors increases one's susceptibility to developing skin cancer.
Although tanning is not directly linked to skin cancer—as it largely develops from sunburns—overexposure to the sun in any form will result in skin damage. Just as there is not a direct cause-and-effect relationship between tanning and skin cancer, tanning – though it builds the skin’s endurance to the sun – cannot be a preventative measure for avoiding this skin disease.
Skin cancer develops slowly. Just as one sunburn cannot be said to result in skin cancer, neither should one assume signs of the disease will develop directly after skin damage occurs. Generally speaking, it usually takes 20 years or more for skin cancer to develop and the signs to become visible on the skin.
In the case of melanoma, the chances of developing this form of skin cancer increases with age. However, it can occur with people of all ages and, subsequently, it has become one of the most common cancers affecting young adults.
How can it be diagnosed?
The most common sign of skin cancer is a change of the skin's appearance, such as the development of a growth, sore or abnormal mole. Sometimes, the signs will be obvious and, other times, hardly noticeable at all. Therefore, it is important to constantly be aware of the appearance of one's skin and, when in doubt, consult a dermatologist about any unusual changes.
Since melanoma is a serious and potentially life-threatening form of cancer, it is particularly advantageous to diagnose and treat melanoma in its early stages. This can be as simple as periodically checking the appearance of moles on areas of the body such as the face, arms and legs for any changes.
How can skin cancer be prevented?
Generally speaking, people receive most of their sun exposure before the age of 18; therefore, most skin damage will have already occurred years before signs of skin cancer develop. Preventing skin cancer begins with proper skin care during childhood. Sunscreens—with a SPF up to 30—should be used in conjunction with reasonable exposure times to the sun to prevent skin damage.
Sources:
http://www.melanoma.com/whatis.html
http://www.maui.net/~southsky/introto.html#causesh ttp://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_W
Those with light skin tones who have spent a lot of time in the sun are the most prone to developing skin cancer, which can occur anywhere on the body. Most commonly, though, skin cancer forms in areas receiving the most sun exposure, such as the face, shoulders and arms.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, which begins in the same skin cells (called melanocytes) responsible for giving skin its color. Overexposure to the sun can cause these cells to grow abnormally, becoming cancerous. The first signs of melanoma are changes in the size, color or shape of a mole, or the growth of an entirely new mole.
What causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer usually results from a combination of UV damage due to overexposure to the sun (sunburn damage) and the total amount of time spent in the sun throughout years. Other factors also contribute to the formation of this skin disease.
UV damage and time spent in the sun will not always directly lead to skin cancer. Heredity and living environment, among other factors, may contribute to the onset of skin cancer. Each of these factors increases one's susceptibility to developing skin cancer.
Although tanning is not directly linked to skin cancer—as it largely develops from sunburns—overexposure to the sun in any form will result in skin damage. Just as there is not a direct cause-and-effect relationship between tanning and skin cancer, tanning – though it builds the skin’s endurance to the sun – cannot be a preventative measure for avoiding this skin disease.
Skin cancer develops slowly. Just as one sunburn cannot be said to result in skin cancer, neither should one assume signs of the disease will develop directly after skin damage occurs. Generally speaking, it usually takes 20 years or more for skin cancer to develop and the signs to become visible on the skin.
In the case of melanoma, the chances of developing this form of skin cancer increases with age. However, it can occur with people of all ages and, subsequently, it has become one of the most common cancers affecting young adults.
How can it be diagnosed?
The most common sign of skin cancer is a change of the skin's appearance, such as the development of a growth, sore or abnormal mole. Sometimes, the signs will be obvious and, other times, hardly noticeable at all. Therefore, it is important to constantly be aware of the appearance of one's skin and, when in doubt, consult a dermatologist about any unusual changes.
Since melanoma is a serious and potentially life-threatening form of cancer, it is particularly advantageous to diagnose and treat melanoma in its early stages. This can be as simple as periodically checking the appearance of moles on areas of the body such as the face, arms and legs for any changes.
How can skin cancer be prevented?
Generally speaking, people receive most of their sun exposure before the age of 18; therefore, most skin damage will have already occurred years before signs of skin cancer develop. Preventing skin cancer begins with proper skin care during childhood. Sunscreens—with a SPF up to 30—should be used in conjunction with reasonable exposure times to the sun to prevent skin damage.
Sources:
http://www.melanoma.com/whatis.html
http://www.maui.net/~southsky/introto.html#causesh ttp://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_W
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