Skin Cancer causes and prevention

Skin cancer is a wild and abnormal skin cell growth which may happen due to unrepaired DNA damage to the skin cells. Most often this DNA damage happens by the exposure of ultraviolet radiation from sun shine or tanning beds. This triggers mutation or genetic defects and lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. And the three most frequently detected skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, each of which named after the type of skin cell from which it arises.

Common Causes

·         Fair skin.

·         Sunny or high-altitude climates.

·         Many or abnormal moles.

·         Precancerous skin lesions.

·         Exposure to radiation or certain substances, such as arsenic. 

·         A weakened immune system, such as people with HIV or AIDS, or people taking immunosuppressant drugs following an organ transplant.

Basal cell carcinoma

This is one of the most common forms of skin cancer. Fortunately this type of skin cancer is the least dangerous but must be treated. Or it will continue to grow, invading and destroying surrounding skin tissue, eventually causing disfigurement. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the prime cause of this skin cancer. Frequent severe sunburns and intense sun exposure in childhood increase the risk of basal cell skin cancer in adulthood.

Squamous cell skin cancer

This form of skin cancer must be treated because the lesion may continue to grow in size, damaging surrounding tissue, and may spread to other areas of the body. Frequent sun exposure is the leading cause of this disease. However, people whose immune systems are suppressed through taking anti-rejection drugs face a higher risk for this disease.

Malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma is a less common but highly dangerous form of skin cancer.

When found at an early stage, melanoma has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers at more than 90 per cent. If left untreated, melanoma starts to invade into the skin. When it reaches the blood stream or the lymphatic system, it has a chance to spread to other parts of the body and often causes death.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) from the sun and sunbeds plays a leading role in the development of melanoma and is the most preventable cause of this disease. Experts estimate about 90% of melanomas are associated with severe UV exposure and sunburns over a lifetime.

Actinic Keratoses

Although actinic keratoses are not true skin cancers, it is important to have these lesions treated as they have the potential to change into squamous cell skin cancers.

Too much sun over many years leads to a disruption in the normal development of skin cells, affecting the upper layer of the skin, called the epidermis. The sun’s rays damage the skin’s DNA, leading to this abnormal growth of the cells.

Prevent skin cancer

Sun exposure is the most avoidable risk factor for all types of skin cancer. Prevention measures include:

·         Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

·         Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.

·         Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses.

·         Avoid tanning beds.

Skin cancer is becoming a frequent disease among the people of the world. But fortunately the treatment of skin cancer is there and it’s getting better every day. And this sort of cancer can easily be avoided by taking appropriate prevention measures. The treatment of this skin cancer can be discussed with your dermatologist. It consists mainly of surgical excision, radiation therapy.