Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Every year, more people are getting the condition due to over exposure to the sun.

There are two common types of skin cancer: melanoma or malignant melanoma and non-melanoma.

Melanoma skin cancer is more dangerous that non-melanoma skin cancer. It is usually pigmented or colored. It may appear as a quick growing, dark colored spot, and irregular spot on a previously normal skin. It can also occur on an existing mole that changes size, shape, or color and develops irregular edges, bleeds, itches, crusts or reddens.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is usually slow growing and results from prolonged sunlight exposure over many years. It includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma affects the sun-exposed areas of the body. It may start as a small painless lump, pink or brownish grey in color. It will have a smooth surface with blood vessels and a waxy or pearl-like border. The lump grows, developing a central depression with rolled edges.

Squamous cell carcinoma starts as an area of thickened, scaly skin. It normally affects the face and develops into a painless, hard lump, reddish brown in color with an irregular edge. The lump can become a recurring ulcer that does not heal.

Causes of Skin Cancer

The sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays are the causes of skin cancer. Contrary to popular belief, a suntan is not healthy but rather a sign of skin damage. Constant sunbathing and suntans is likely to cause aged skin, burned skin that can be painful and lead to skin cancer that can be fatal.

Everyone who is over-exposed to sunlight can develop skin cancer. Malignant skin cancer affects more women than men while non-malignant melanoma mostly affects women. If someone gets sunburn when still a child, they are likely to develop skin cancer later in life.

Treatment and Prevention of Skin Cancer

Depending on the type of skin cancer and the stage of the condition, treatment may include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological therapy.

To prevent skin cancer, one should avoid spending too much time in the sun. You can get skin cancer even under light cloud cover if the sun’s UV rays are too strong. Some of the things that one can do to reduce their chances of skin cancer include:

• Avoid sun lamps or sun beds,
• Stick to the shade between 11am and 3pm,
• Drink plenty of water to avoid overheating,
• Cover up with clothes, sunglasses and wide brimmed hats, and
• Apply a high factor sunscreen minimum SPF15 and three stars

You should also watch out for any moles or growths in your skin. This is especially true if the mole changes color, size, is itchy and inflamed.

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