Cancer And Our Skin

What is skin cancer?

One of the most common types of cancer is skin cancer. Cancer is when there is an uncontrollable growth and multiplication of abnormal cells in the body; in this case the skin’s cells are affected.

Skin cancer usually affects the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis.

Unlike other cancers, this type of cancer has a high survival rate.

Although people do not usually die out of this type of cancer, evidence that this happened to them could clearly be seen in their skin. It produces marks that may not be appealing to the eye.

Classification of skin cancer

There are three major classes of cancer and they are the basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

These cancers have the capability to metastasize. This means that they could spread and affect different sites in the body.

It is important that your cancer be diagnosed early so that you could still find ways on what to do about it and how to prevent it.

1. Basal cell carcinoma

This type of skin cancer is usually seen in the face but they rarely metastasize. They are commonly caused by too much exposure in the sun and they could be easily treated with the use of radiation therapy or surgery.

It is described as a smooth, raised, and pearly structure. Sometimes, its center could also bleed and this leads people to think that it is a sore that does not heal.

Among the three, it is the least dangerous of the cancers and could be treated and healed successfully.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

They are usually described as red crusty or scaly patches in the skin and they are most likely to metastasize than the basal cell carcinoma.

Bleeding and ulceration of the patches could also occur and it could grow bigger if it is left untreated. Patients with an immune system problem are more likely to have this cancer metastasize.

Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas are also caused by the UV-B rays of the sun. This causes damage to the DNA of the skin which leads to carcinoma.

3. Malignant melanoma

This kind of melanoma is described as an irregularly shaped discoloration of the skin. The color variation may range from shades of brown to black.

The size of the melanoma is usually larger than 6 mm. This is also the least of the skin cancers to occur but is the most dangerous of them all. It is also capable of metastasizing and causing death.

Causes of skin cancer

Ultraviolet exposure is the culprit that most doctors are looking into. This is also the reason why most of us are now afraid of the sun.

But the mere sun exposure does not cause cancer to occur. It is too much of the ultraviolet radiation that causes cancers to develop. Besides your exposure to the sun, there are other causes of skin cancer and they are listed below.

Tanning booths also make use of ultraviolet radiation to make your skin look darker. If you avoid the sun but you always use the tanning booths, there is still a risk for you to have skin cancer.

Exposure to x-rays is also found to be causing skin cancer to occur. If you are working with x-rays, be sure to wear protective gear to prevent you from getting skin cancer.

Contact with chemicals such as arsenic may also lead to the development of skin cancer. You should always be cautious when handling chemicals because they have different effects in our body and one of them is skin cancer.

How can I prevent skin cancer?

Although cures for cancer are available, it is better if you would prevent them from occurring in the first place. There are simple things that you should do so that you would be skin-cancer free. Follow these tips to lessen your risk of having skin cancer.

If you want to sun bathe, avoid exposing your body to the sun at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This is the time when the sun’s rays are too harsh for the skin. It is wise for you to seek some shade during this period.

Wear protective covering. Clothes could be used to protect your skin from the sun. A simple shirt could help you block the sun’s rays. So the next time you want to go shirtless, think twice about it.

Use sunscreen. Although most people who go to the beach will expect their skin to be sunburned, you do not have to take that risk.

Sunscreen will help you block out the harmful rays of the sun. There is also sunscreen that is made especially for the lips. This will help protect your lips too.

You should also reapply sunscreen after some time or after you go for swimming.

Wear a hat. A hat would help you shade your face against the harmful rays of the sun.

Avoid too much use of tanning beds. These are also sources of UV light and they could also cause you to have skin cancer.