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What Are The Causes And Effects Of Skin Cancer

Like all cancers, skin cancer is caused when the cells are exposed to some external environmental condition. This causes the cells, or more specifically the genes in the cell to mutate and become known as a oncogene. An oncogene promotes tumor growth.

In many cases of cancer it is not always clear what the environmental condition or conditions may be. In fact, it may not be just one condition that promotes cancer growth but a multitude of them making it harder to prevent the development of the disease. In the case of skin cancer, the environmental condition is thought to be exposure to ultraviolet radiation. And the most common source of ultraviolet radiation that most people are exposed to is 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 depend on the type and length of time that it has been developing. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of the disease. It is normally benign, in that it does not spread from the original source. It looks like a blemish on the skin that could be brown or red in color.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also normally found on the body that is directly exposed to sunlight. It does not always spread but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. If it does spread it will be to surrounding skin cells. This will often give you the impression that the initial blemish or lesion on the skin is getting bigger. This is a sure sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

Melanoma are the third type of skin cancer. They are the most serious and rarest form of skin cancer. They can appear anywhere on the body and are not uncommon in parts of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun, like the feet. They could take the form of a brown spot that gets larger or simply a lump under the skin.

Melanoma is the most likely form of skin cancer to turn malignant. It can grow at a rapid and uncontrollable rate throughout the body. It can grow through tissue and organs. It can get so large that it affects many of the functions in the body.

If melanoma spreads throughout the body it can be very hard to treat.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to limit your exposure to UV rays. Protect your skin when in the Sun and avoid things like sun beds. Monitor your skin for any unusual lumps or marks. Watch for marks, blemishes or lesions that appear to be changing in shape, size or color. Consult your doctor or a skin specialist if this happens.