Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. The most common skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma which all trace back to the mutilation of melanin cells. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages. There are three common and likely types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. Unlike
many other cancers, including those originating in the lung, pancreas, and stomach, only a small minority of those afflicted will actually die of the disease. Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Melanoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is the most serious—for example, in the UK there are 9,500 new cases of melanoma each year, and 2,300 deaths. More people now die of melanoma in the UK than in Australia. It is the most common cancer in the young population (20 – 39 age group). It is estimated that approximately 85% of cases are caused by too much sun. Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common skin cancers. The majority of these are called basal cell carcinomas. These are usually localised growths caused by excessive cumulative exposure to the sun and do not tend to spread.

Risk factors

Skin cancer has many potential causes, these include:

1. Studies have show that smoking tobacco and related products can double the risk of skin cancer.
2. Overexposure to UV-radiation may cause skin cancer either via the direct DNA damage or via the indirect DNA damage mechanism. Overexposure (burning) UVA & UVB have both been implicated in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM is most intense and therefore most harmful. Natural (sun) & artificial UV exposure (tanning salons) are possibly associated with skin cancer.
   1. UVB rays primarily affect the epidermis causing sunburns, redness, and blistering of the skin when overexposed. The melanin of the epidermis is activated with UVB just as with UVA; however, the effects are longer lasting with pigmentation continuing over 24 hours.

   Many believe that skin cancer can be prevented altogether by avoiding sunlight entirely, or wearing protective clothing while outdoors. However, studies show that Melanoma Skin Cancer is more common in those who work indoors. Skin Cancer is most common on areas of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun, and then exposing the skin to UV rays excessively.

   Skin cancer generally has a 20- to 30-year latency period. Many instances of skin cancer in older individuals today can be traced to behaviours as young adults in the 1970s and early 1980s. Sunburns represented an inconvenient rite of spring or an awkward preliminary stage in the process of acquiring a "healthy" tan. Severe burns were commonplace. Today we know the approach to be reckless. The incidence rates of skin cancer today in persons over 50 years of age reflect that day's popular ignorance.

   Types

   The most common types of skin cancers are:

   • Basal Cell Carcinoma
   • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
   • Melanoma
   
   

   1 2 3 4 5

   Page 2 >>