Skin Cancer is the most common form of Cancer. Skin Cancer arises from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells. These cells have the ability to spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types: basal cell cancer (BCC), squamous cell cancer (SCC) and melanoma. The first two are commonly known as Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC). Basal cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it but is unlikely to spread to distant areas or result in death. It often appears as a painless raised area of skin, that may be shiny with small blood vessel running over it or may present as a raised area with an ulcer. Squamous cell cancer spread easily. It exists generally as a solid lump with a rough top but may also form an ulcer. Melanomas are the most aggressive.
Signs include
A mole that has changed in size, shape, color, has irregular edges, has more than one color, is itchy or bleeds.
Causes
More than 90% of cases caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. This exposure increases the risk of all three main types of skin cancer. Exposure has increased partly due to a thinner ozone layer. Tanning beds are becoming another common source of ultraviolet radiation. For basal cell cancers and melanomas, exposure at the time of childhood is especially harmful. For squamous-cell cancers, total exposure, irrespective of when it occurs, is more important. Between 20% and 30% of melanomas develop from moles. People with light skin are at higher risk as are those with a poor immune function such as from medications or HIV/AIDS. Diagnosis is by biopsy.
Prevention
Decreasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunscreen appear to be effective methods of preventing melanoma and squamous-cell cancer. It is not clearly mentioned if sunscreen controls the danger of basal-cell cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancer is usually curable. Treatment is generally by surgical removal but may less commonly involve radiation therapy or topical medications such as fluorouracil. Treatment of melanoma may include some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Palliative care used for improving the quality of life in those people whose disease has spread to other areas of their bodies.