Skin cancer is as same as the other cancers, it starts when the cells grow out of control. It starts in human skin cells. Although most of them are caused by the ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun, there are some factors may increase the risk of this cancer such as : skin color, age, the family history of skin cancer, a weak immune system, and exposure to other radiations. Let’s discuss about all of that factors, and how each may cause the skin cancers. Then it continues with the way you can notice a change or changes on your skin as skin cancers.
The Sun and its Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation in Relation with Skin Cancers
UV radiation which may cause skin cancers is divided into two : UVA and UVB. Although overexposure of both rays can damage for our skin, UVB is much stronger in causing a sunburn. For your information, sunburn is a visible sign that means your skin cells has been damaged, and this kind of damage may happen in your skin cells’ DNA. When a few number of DNAs have been damaged, it may cause the cells to grow abnormally, and lead to the skin cancer.
Skin Color
It is true that skin cancer may happen to anyone, no matter what skin colors they have. But in most cases, the ones who have less pigment also have more risks to develop skin cancers than the ones whose skins are darker. It is because our skin pigment actually is a big help to protect skin from the UV radiation. So less pigment means less protection and increase the risk of letting UV radiation damages our skin cells.
Weak Immune System
It is easy for skin cancers to develop in people who has a weakened immune system.
The Family History Of Skin Cancer
It is a well known fact that cancer can be caused by heredity factor. If one or more family member has a problem with skin cancer, it also increase the risk of skin cancer to develop in the other family members.
Age
Skin cancer may happen to anyone, regardless their age. But some type of skin cancer develops very slowly over the time. The older we are, the more numbers of skin cells had been damaged. It also increase the risk of skin cancer to develop.
Exposure to Other Radiations
It is true that UV radiation from the sun is the most common cause of skin cancer, but the other radiations such as the ones which are used for skin treatment also increase the risk of skin cancers.
The symptoms
The reason why skin cancer can be controlled earlier than the other type of cancers is because it shows significant or visible signs. These signs depend on the type of the skin cancer itself.
Melanoma
What is melanoma? If it is compared with the other type of skin cancers, melanoma is the most serious and dangerous one. This kind of cancer named melanoma since it starts in melanocytes, the cells which responsible to produce melanin in our skin.
Symptoms :
- Some changes on your skin (it usually develops on the palms of hands, feet soles, or in other parts of body such as eyes, mouth, genital and anal area) for example there are new moles and they are changing in size, shape or color.
- Some moles are bleeding or oozing.
- The mole (or molesz) is getting red or swelling.
- The spot feels itchy or pained.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
(Bassal cells carcinomas and squamous cells carcinomas)
Those are the common type of skin cancers which happen to many people, and they develops very slowly if compared to the melanoma one. Mostly, these skin cancers caused by sunburn as a result of UV radiation. These skin cancers develop on head, neck, arms, or other areas such as genital and on a skin sore.
Symptoms of Bassal cells carcinomas:
- Unusual skin growth, bump or sore.
- There is flesh colored lesion.
- There is a pale patch of skin,
- The patch or another spot is bleeding.
- There is brownish scars.
Symptoms of Squamous cells carcinomas:
- There is a lump on the skin.
- There is a reddish patch.
Note : Both of the non-melanoma skin cancers may develop as a flat area, and it is difficult to tell its difference from the normal skin. That’s why we must be aware of any little change on our skin, and once the changes are noticed, talk to the professionals.
How Dangerous the Skin Cancers are
If skin cancers are not treated by the appropriate medical helps as soon as possible after they are detected, those can be fatal. Especially for the melanoma skin cancer, it has been mentioned that this type is the most dangerous one, since it can spread very quickly. And if the cancer has affected the other parts of body such as brain, it may cause death. The other skin cancers such as bassal cells carcinomas and squamous cells carcinomas also should not be ignored.
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