Left untreated, skin cancers can be very dangerous, but with early detection and intervention most are curable. There are three common types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2008.



CAUSE: Skin cancer is a malignant skin growth which can have many causes. It is usually caused by excessive exposure of skin to UV rays. Cancers caused by UV exposure may be prevented by avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight or other Ultraviolet sources, and by wearing clothing that offers protection from the sun.

A lot of people go out of their way to get an artificial tan before they leave for a sunny vacation, because they want to get a "base coat" to minimize sun damage. Sunburn, brought on by a kind of ultraviolet (UV) light known as UVB, has served as a surrogate for far more serious conditions such as melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinoma, 3 forms of skin cancer.

RISK: Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the chance of developing skin cancer, the risk of developing it can be reduced significantly using the following steps: reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in the childhood years, avoiding sunburns (NOTE: New studies have shown that sunscreen does not offer protection from melanoma). Although it is generally accepted that Ultraviolet exposure is the greatest risk factor in melanoma development, some skeptics say that there is no actual proven data that links moderate exposure to the sun with the appearance of melanoma.

The risk of developing skin cancer is also affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that receive high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to develop skin cancer. In the United States, for example, skin cancer is more common in Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong. Worldwide, the highest rates of skin cancer are found in South Africa and Australia, which are areas that receive high amounts of UV radiation.

TYPES: The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which may be locally disfiguring but are unlikely to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). The most dangerous type of skin cancer is malignant melanoma.

TREATMENT: Nearly all skin cancers can be treated by removal of the lesion, making sure that the edges (margins) are free of the cancerous cells. However,it is important that the tumors are found and treated early because they can invade and destroy nearby tissue.

CONCLUSION: Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer and is also known as skin neoplasia. The use of sunscreen is recommended by medical organizations as a measure that helps to protect against skin cancer (NOTE: Recent studies however have shown that sunscreen does not protect you from melanoma). Approximately 65% of melanomas and 90% of basal and squamous cell skin cancers are attributed to UV exposure. Even though it is rare, malignant melanoma is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer related death cases.

It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once. The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life.