Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer to strike people than any other form of cancer. Skin cancer is more common in fair-skinned people, but all skin types can develop skin cancer. The main cause of this form of cancer is from ultraviolet radiation from too much time spent in the sun. Catching skin cancer early, and avoiding overexposure to the sun are the two best ways to prevent skin cancer. The three major causes of skin cancer are heredity, environment, and ultraviolet light damage to the skin, mostly in children and teenagers. Studies show adults receive half of their lifetime ultraviolet exposure when they are 20 years old.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It protects our internal organs from injury, acts as a barrier between those organs and bacteria, and prevents the loss of valuable fluid from our body. It also regulated body temperature and communicates to the brain to allow for temperature, touch, and pain sensations. You can see why it is important to keep our skin healthy. Most skin cancers are classified as nonmelanoma or melanoma.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers develop on those areas of the body that are the most exposed to the sun. Body, face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of our hands are where most nonmelanoma cancers are found. This form of skin cancer rarely spreads to another part of the body. They can be fast growing, or slow growing.

Melanoma skin cancer begins in the cells that produce the skin pigment or coloring known as melanin. Melanin also protects the deepest layers of the skin from harmful radiation from the sun. Melanoma accounts for a small percentage of skin cancer, but it is far more dangerous and life threatening that nonmelanoma cancer. The chances of surviving melanoma cancer are better if it is caught in the earliest stage.

The causes of skin cancer include family history of skin cancer, multiple moles, a fair complexion, exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, and radium, and severe sunburn as a child.

Your body will give early signs of skin cancer and both patients and doctors play an important role in finding skin cancer. If you have any change on the skin, consult your doctor. Any change can mean the size and color of a mole, or a growth that is darkly pigmented, or a new growth on the skin. If you have a change in the appearance of any bump or nodule, or if you have oozing, bleeding or scaling of the skin you should contact your doctor. Another sign to look for is if the color of the pigmentation spreads beyond the border of a mole or mark. If you have a change in sensations to your skin, for example, itchiness, tenderness, or pain, it’s time to go to your doctor.

What is important to know is that skin cancer can be prevented. Practice sun safety and avoid being out in the sun for long periods. Avid the sun altogether between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Try to stay in the shade especially when rays are the strongest. It will also help if you put on a long sleeved shirt to prevent the suns rays from reaching your skin. Your clothes should be comfortable and tightly woven. That means when you hold them up to a light you can’t see through them.

Using sunscreen is important when you are going to be in the sun. Using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or above when outdoors will help you protect your skin. Use sunscreen generously and always reapply if you have been in the water, are heavily perspiring, or have recently toweled off. Remember, sunscreen needs to be used on cloudy or overcast days as the ultraviolet rays are still filtering through the haze.

Putting on a hat will keep your face, ears, and neck shaded. A wide-brimmed hat is the best choice but if you are wearing a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.

Your eyes also need protection. Wear sunglasses with the best protection for the eyes and surrounding skin. Sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV absorption are recommended when you are in the sun.

Protect yourself from the most common form of cancer; you will also have younger looking skin and fewer lines on the face.