Article Advise

submitted: Aug 20th 2008 | by: RichardHEalom | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 640 | |

INTRODUCTION: Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible.

If left untreated, the disease can be very dangerous, but with early detection and medical intervention most are curable. There are three common kinds of skin cancer, of which each is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. More than 1,000,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2008.

CAUSE: Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. It is usually caused by exposing skin to UV rays excessively. Cancers caused by UV exposure may be prevented by avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight or other UV sources, and wearing sun-protective clothes.

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 possibility of developing skin cancer is also affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that receive the most UV radiation from the sun are more likely to get skin cancer. In the United States, for example, skin cancer is more commonly found in Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not quite as strong. On a worldwide basis, the highest rates of skin cancer are found in South Africa and Australia, which are areas that receive high amounts of Ultraviolet radiation.

TYPES: The most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which may be locally disfiguring but are not likely to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). The most dangerous type 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.

About the Author

About the author: Richard H. Ealom is an expert ezinearticles.com writer with more than 50 articles on diseases,causes,cures. To find out more about Skin Cancer visit "Cancer Breakthrough USA!" You have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

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