Skin cancer is a disease that is relatively common and can be prevented. It can also be treated if caught in time. There are three types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The type of skin cancer you have depends on the type of cells that are affected by the virus that causes it. Basal cell carcinoma is the least dangerous type.
Skin cancer is most common on the lower part of the body, especially on the neck, shoulders, back, and scalp. It is most often found around the hair line, temples, cheekbones, jaw line, nose and forehead. About 85 percent of all developing skin cancers are associated with melanoma, which also is a non-cancerous cancer that develops due to mutations in the melanocytes (black skin cells). People who have a family history of skin cancer are more likely to develop it. Other risk factors include being male (who are almost twice as likely to develop it as women), exposure to the sun (which can cause more than just skin cancer), a history of abuse of drugs or alcohol, a tanning bed, frequent tanning, or frequent use of chemicals such as nail polish and hair dyes. Women are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma.
Risk factors for melanoma are usually age, gender, race (both light and dark skin tones are at risk), and sunlight exposure. People who are older, men, and those who are black, Asian, and white are at greater risk. Other risk factors include being female (who are twice as likely to develop it as women), light skin tones, and frequent exposure to sunlight. For those who are exposed to the sun frequently, they should have a yearly self-examination to monitor the amount of sun exposure they have been getting. Those who regularly wear sunscreen are less likely to develop skin cancer.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also called "CMC") is most often developed in people who are moderately exposed to sunlight, such as those who are unemployed or live in a highly polluted area. It can also be developed in people who wear glasses too long or are in the tropics. Squamous cell carcinoma can also be caused by certain types of skin cancer. Melanoma is caused by melanocytes, which are similar to hair cells. Other types of skin cancer include basal cell, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanocytes are the cells that create melanin. They are most commonly found in the skin and hair follicles. Basal cell carcinoma is one of the few types of skin cancer that are related to genetics. The disease has been linked to an inherited genetic disorder called tyrosinase.
Basal cell carcinoma grows quickly. It reaches its full growth phase in two years. The average survival time after diagnosis is about four months. During treatment, surgeons remove about 80 percent of the cancer cells from the affected areas. People with early stage melanoma often do not experience any unsightly scarring.
Treatments for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma depend largely on the severity of the disease. Surgery can either be used to remove the entire tumor or the affected area or to perform a laser ablation procedure to destroy the affected cells. Medicines like chemotherapy and radiation are also used to treat the skin cancer.
Melanoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer. It affects millions of people worldwide. It is the most serious type of skin cancer and accounts for about one third of all malignant melanomas. Because melanomas are such a serious threat, they need to be monitored closely by doctors. Regular check-ups with your doctor will help you detect a problem early enough to prevent needless damage to your health.