Skin Cancer: What You Need to Know

Skin cancer is an often misunderstood disease. Because it affects the skin, rather than an organ deep within the body, many people mistakenly believe that it's not as serious as other types of cancer. Part of my responsibility as president of the American College of Mohs Surgery is to help educate people and make them aware that skin cancer, if left untreated, can be devastating.

 Part of the reason people may tend not to take skin cancer seriously is, when caught early, 99% of skin cancers are treatable and can be cured if handled properly. This fact should not give people permission to ignore abnormalities in their skin; it should instead emphasize the extreme importance of early detection.

 So, let's start at the beginning and highlight what everyone needs to know about skin cancer and treatment:

 • What causes skin cancer? The primary cause is repeated exposure to ultraviolet light. People who allow themselves to be exposed to ultraviolet light - either outdoors or in tanning booths - are at a higher risk of developing cancer.

 Tanning booths are creating increased concern in recent years. In fact, the World Health Organization has elevated tanning booths to its highest rating for cancer risk - the same rating it gives cigarettes. Additionally, people with suppressed immune systems, including solid organ transplant recipients, have a higher risk of developing skin cancer because their immune systems are not able to defend against the development of cancerous cells.

• What are the various types of skin cancer? Many types exist, but 3 of them are by far the most common, accounting for about 99% of cases. They are: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

o Melanoma is the most dangerous type. It causes more than 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. A melanoma is usually brown or black in color and looks like a mole. It can often be successfully treated if diagnosed early, but once it begins to spread to other parts of the body, the chances of curing melanoma are substantially reduced.

 o Squamous cell carcinoma forms just below the surface of the skin. It most often develops in areas that have been exposed to sun. However, it can also occur in other areas of the body, such as the mucous membranes or genitals. In the beginning, it looks like a thick, rough, scaly patch of skin, but it can spread and become life threatening.

 o Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It begins in basal cells, which are also located beneath the surface of the skin. It takes on a variety of appearances, such as a shiny bump, a reddish irritated area of skin, or a sore that never completely heals. It usually progresses more slowly than the other types, but early detection is also essential to prevent it from spreading.

 • What do you need to watch for? While the symptoms described above are the most common signs, it can present itself in a variety of ways. The best rule is to always be aware of any new or unexpected change in your skin. Yearly skin checks with your dermatologist can provide a baseline for any questionable areas that may change over time. If you develop a new growth or skin irritation that doesn't heal, consult with a dermatologist as soon as possible.

 Yes, skin cancer is serious business, but when diagnosed early it can usually be cured. One of the main reasons for this is the successful development of a highly effective treatment known as

Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs is an extremely precise surgical technique that can remove cancerous cells from the skin without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.

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The Second Most Common Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. Over 2 million cases of this disease are diagnosed each year and if not detected early it can lead to surgery and even death. Every year between 40 and 50% of all cancer cases are diagnosed as skin cancer.

There are two main types of skin cancer; malignant melanoma and non-melanoma. The most common types of non-melanoma cancer are Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma, and approximately 79% of Malignant Melanoma cases relate to deaths.

These cancers account for only 4% of all skin cancer cases but are by far the most dangerous. Melanoma is more likely than non-melanoma to spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. It is estimated that over 12 thousand people with some type of skin cancer will die this year.

 The skin is the largest organ of the human body, measuring approximately twenty square feet for the average adult. It can be considered as the most resilient organ in the human body. The skin is divided into layers; the Epidermis (upper most), the Basement Membrane, the Dermis, and the Hypodermis/Subcutis.

It covers the internal organs and bones and protects them from injury and germs, and prevents the loss of too much fluid. The skin is vital in the control of body temperature and it gets rid of some wastes through perspiration. Certain cells in the skin communicate with the brain to allow temperature, touch, and pain sensations.

 Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells that when left unchecked, spread from the skin to other tissues and organs of the body. More cases of skin cancer are being diagnosed as time goes on. Studies have shown that heavy exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR) lead to skin cancer and other skin problems.

These studies have shown that 65 to 90% of melanomas are caused by over exposure to ultraviolet light (sunshine, tanning beds and tanning lights), but it has also been shown to run in families and may also be genetic. The second most common form of skin cancer is Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and approximately 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year with approximately 2,500 deaths.

It is one of the less aggressive skin cancers in that when detected early it may be easily controlled or removed through minor surgery. This cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the Squamous cells, which compose most of the skin's epidermis (upper layers).

 This type of cancer is mainly caused by cumulative UVR exposure over the course of a lifetime and may not occur until many years after receiving the original damage to the skin, which makes it necessary to see a dermatologist at its first signs.

The most common areas for this cancer are those that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, bald scalp, neck, hands, arms and legs. Skin damage can appear as wrinkling, changes in pigmentation, and loss of elasticity in the skin.

 Exposure to UVR s the cause for most cases of Squamous cell cancer. The condition develops due to the fact that UV radiation damages the DNA in an individual's skin cells. The more damage to the DNA, the more likely the skin cells will grow out of control and develop a Squamous cell carcinoma.

Most cases of Squamous cell cancer may be prevented, and there are several ways to do this; by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, avoiding midday sun, limiting your time in direct sunshine, don't use tanning beds or lamps, and checking your skin regularly. Squamous cell cancer is a easily treatable and preventable type of skin cancer.

However, it can still be deadly and needs to be detected and treated early. Squamous cell cancer very rarely causes further problems when identified and treated early. Untreated, it can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications. Call for an appointment with your health care professional if you observe a sore or spot on your skin that changes in: appearance, color, size, texture, or if an existing spot becomes painful or swollen, or if it starts to bleed or itch.

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Guarding Against Skin Cancer

Almost everyone loves to get outside and spend a few hours in the sun; however, many people do not realize the dangers that the sun presents. Although sunlight gives energy, provides people with a mental boost, and is important for Vitamin D, too much exposure can cause someone to be diagnosed with skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and although the sunlight is usually the primary cause of this cancer, other factors can also be responsible. People who have a family history of cancer, spend lots of hours in tanning beds, or have sensitive skin will be at a higher risk for developing this type of cancer.

Luckily, there are several ways in which people can prevent being diagnosed with this disease. Pay attention to medication Many medications contain ingredients that will increase a person's chances of getting sunburns, and unfortunately, sunburns can drastically increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

Therefore, people should consult with their doctors to determine if their medications will increase their sensitivity to the sunlight. Wear sunscreen People should always be sure to wear sunscreen daily. Even if it is a cloudy day, sunscreen should be worn.

Since many experts agree that the ozone layer is weakening, people can no longer rely on natural protection against the sunlight. When choosing a sunscreen to wear, people should be sure to choose one that has at least an SPF 15 or higher.

Also, people should be sure to apply the sunscreen every 30 minutes or as recommended by the label. Protective clothing Another way to prevent skin cancer is by wearing protective clothing. If the skin is covered, the sunlight cannot harm it.

One piece of clothing that is good to wear is a wide-brimmed hat. These hats will cover a large portion of the individual's face and neck. Additionally, some clothing is specifically designed to protect the person against the sun's UV rays.

This type of clothing is especially helpful for people who will be in the sun for long periods of time. Avoid tanning beds Although many people desire to get tans throughout the year, tanning beds can be extremely dangerous.

Tanning beds expose people to UV rays; however, these rays are much more dangerous than the sun's UV rays. People who use tanning beds regularly will have a much higher chance of developing melanoma, which is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer.

 Avoid sunlight Although the sun is extremely important and extremely enjoyable, it can present many dangers. Therefore, people should try to spend time outdoors during the evening hours as opposed to the sun's peak hours.

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