How Is Skin Cancer Caused
Skin cancers develop when the body is exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). Some of the DNA in the skin cells that are exposed to UV rays begin to mutate. They become known as oncogenes that instruct the cell to grow haphazardly.
Two of the main problems with preventing and treating cancer is that it is not always clear what the external environmental condition is that causes the cancer and being able to detect the tumor growth before it becomes hard to treat. In the case of skin cancer it is generally agreed that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) is the environmental condition. And in most cases, the cancer is on the surface of the skin so can be detected quickly. The most common form of UV rays that people are exposed to are in sunlight.
However, some people can spend more time in the sun than others without developing skin cancer. Their skin is not as sensitive to the sun. This is because they have more melanin in the body. Amongst many other functions, melanin makes the skin go brown when exposed to the Sun. This is the body's natural method of protecting skin cells. This is the tan that many people like to develop as they see it as an indication of health and vitality.
People with pale skin, fair or red hair and light colored eyes have less melanin than people with darker complexions. They are more sensitive to the sun. Their skin will most likely burn than go grown in the sun. Sunburned skin is painful but it is also an indication that your skin has been exposed to too much UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun or constant sunburn will facilitate the development of skin cancer.
Even if you do not fit this genetic makeup, you are still susceptible to skin cancer if your family has a history of developing the disease.
The effects of skin cancer vary depending on the type of carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is normally found on areas of the body directly exposed to the sun. It is generally a mark or spot on the skin that could be brown or red. In most cases it will not spread from the original location.
Squamous cell carcinoma is another form of skin cancer that is normally found on parts of the body that are exposed to sunlight. Again, it does not always spread from the original location but is more likely to spread than basal cell. If it does spread it will normally only spread to surrounding cells. So if it is on the surface of the skin you will notice a mark that is brown or red that starts to get larger over time.
Melanoma is the rarest but most serious form of skin cancer that can develop. Unlike the other two, it can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that may not get much exposure to sunlight. For instance, the feet may develop a melanoma. It normally looks like a brown or red mark but as it develops it may become a lump under the skin. It may also look like a mole on the surface of the skin that changes color and starts to get bigger.
A Melanoma can be malignant, meaning that they will continue to grow in a random fashion at an uncontrolled rate. This becomes a problem when the melanoma becomes invasive. This means it will interfere with surrounding tissues and organs to the extent that it destroys them or stops them functioning properly.
Depending on where the cancer spreads or metastasizes this can be extremely hard to treat and potentially life threatening.
Limiting your exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet radiation is the best preventative care you can take. Getting your skin checked out from time to time by your doctor is also a good idea. This is especially good advice if you notice any new or unusual moles or spots on your skin. Or if these lesions appear to have changed in any way.
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Tagged with: Skin Care
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