Skin Cancer Causes and Symptoms

Skin Cancer refers to the cancer that forms in the tissues of the skin which can occur to any individual. It is one of the most common types of cancers in the U.S.

Due to strong correlation between skin cancer and skin pigmentation, the fair skinned people are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer as compared to the dark skinned people. There are over one million cases annually, although not all are reported. As the statistics of cancer patients keeps increasing every year therefore the medical specialists have not been able to specify the age group of occurrence of skin cancer.

There are three different types of skin cancers, namely:

• Melanoma- The skin cancer which forms in melanocyes (skin cells that make pigments)
• Squamous cell carcinoma- The types of skin cancer that forms in squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin)

Of the above, basal cell carcinomas and most squamous cell carcinomas together are referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. They are slow growing and very much treatable, especially if detected at an early stage. Whereas, melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer as it affects the deeper layers of the skin with a high potential of spreading to the other parts of the body.

Skin cancer can be disfiguring and dangerous as about 80% can appear on any part of the body especially on the face, head or neck.

The main causes of skin cancer may include the following:

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
• Sunburn,
• Heredity,
• Environment (Cloud cover).

The symptoms of Skin Cancer are as follows:

• Change in a wart or mole due to skin growth
• Red, tender, flat spots which may bleed
• A smooth and pearly looking small and fleshy bump
• Shiny bump that may resemble a mole or cyst
• Part of skin that feels scaly, bleeds, or develops a crust.

There are no noted symptoms in the early stages as initially cancer develops in the form of precancerous lesions known as dysplasia, which later forms cancerous cells. However, if it is ignored for a longer period of time then it may spread to the other organs which may further affect the normal working of the skin.

Copyright 2009