Skin Cancer

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells reproduce abnormally at excessive rates. There are three basic forms of skin cancer, depending on the type of cell from which they originate:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Also commonly known as basal cell skin cancer. This is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for more than 90% of cases in the US. It is also the easiest to treat, as it grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC can spread to vital organs, most commonly the lymph nodes in the groin, neck, and underarms. Fortunately, the lymph nodes usually trap the cancer cells and prevent further spreading.
  • Malignant melanoma. Melanomas are the most serious type of skin cancer. Cancer cells can quickly enter the bloodstream and spread to vital organs such as the lungs and liver.

Skin Cancer Statistics In The USA

Skin cancer is the leading form of cancer in the US as of 2007. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) predicts that over one million cases will be reported this year, although less than 2,000 are expected to be fatal. That is almost 50% of all cancers diagnosed in the USA alone! Thankfully, 99% of skin cancer cases can be cured if detected early. In fact only 1% of skin cancer patients do not survive.

Causes And Diagnosis Of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is mostly associated with excessive exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation damages the skin’s DNA, which affects its ability to control growth. Severe damage to DNA can cause skin cells to grow uncontrollably, resulting in a cancerous tumor. Chronic inflammation from sunburns reduces the skin’s immune function and increases the risk of developing cancer.

One can also inherit abnormal genes that may later develop into cancer. People with light skin are more susceptible  because they lack melanocytes, the natural pigments responsible for skin color. Melanocytes provide some protection against sunlight, although dark-skinned people are also at risk.

Other common causes of skin cancer are sun tanning and the use of tanning beds due to the unprotected exposure to UV rays. The simplest way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid sunlight. If that is not possible, simply cover up your body with hats, long sleeved clothes, long pants, and slap on a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on the areas of your skin that is exposed to sunlight.

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

The appearance of skin tumors varies depending on the type of skin cancer. BCC tumors look like smooth, whitish bumps, often with visible blood vessels and crusting on the edges. They are commonly seen on the neck, head, and shoulders. SCC creates a scaly red ulcer, which may bleed occasionally. Melanomas range from brown to black, and usually arise from existing moles or skin markings. New moles that appear in adulthood may indicate a melanoma and should be checked by a doctor.

Treatment Of Skin Cancer

The most common treatment involves simply removing the lesion from the skin, including the edges and some of the surrounding area. This is considered the most effective treatment, especially for early stage and high-risk skin cancer. Low-risk cancers can be removed via cryotherapy, wherein the lesion is destroyed by freezing and removed from the skin. However, radiotherapy and cryotherapy are not considered standard cures and have lower success rates than traditional procedures.

Another popular procedure is Moh’s Microsurgery. This involves removing thin layers of the lesion at a time, and examining the affected area after each excision. This allows the surgeon to assess the damage throughout the procedure and remove as little of the healthy tissue as possible. Some people haved claimed to have cured their skin cancer by applying Aldara onto their tumors.

Alternative cancer treatments do exist for skin cancer. You might want to research on some of the natural cancer remedies to see if they appeal to you.

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