What is Skin Cancer and its Types How can you prevent yourself from getting skin cancer?

What is Skin Cancer?

The skin is the largest protective organ and our first line of defense against the environment. Skin cancer is a common and locally destructive growth of the skin. Skin cancer happens when the cells that make up your skin begin to mutate into cancer cells that divide out of control. This type of cancer occurs when the DNA of skin cells gets damaged and has not been repaired. This leads to mutation, genetic defects and could also lead to tumors and malignancy. While skin cancer usually occurs on skin exposed to sunlight, it can also form in the lower layers of skin and be harder to detect.

Skin Cancer Types and symptoms

While there are many different types of skin cancer, four common types will be discussed.

1.Basal Cell Carcinoma

This is perhaps the most common type of skin cancer and is actually much more frequent than the other types of skin cancers. This type of cancer arises from the basal cells, which are actually present in the deepest layers of the epidermis. The initial presentation might be in the form of a bump or sore that does not heal. It could also present in the form of a patch of skin, which is red and irritated. Most of the time, the areas of the skin that are constantly exposed to sunlight, such as the face, ears, and scalp, are affected by basal cell carcinoma. If the condition is diagnosed well in time, treating and curing it is possible.

Signs and symptoms of this type of cancer are:

The appearance of red moles.
The appearance of scars.
The skin bleeds sometimes.
Itchy skin.
Scaly flat red spots.
Painless ulcer.

2.Melanoma

Melanoma Skin Cancer is started in the cells that produce pigments. These cells are called Melanocytes. The Melanin that is the cause of skin, eyes, and hair color is the result of these cells. Melanoma is a far more serious type of skin cancer that can develop anywhere on the body, though it primarily appears in areas of skin that are exposed to sunlight. The most at-risk individuals for developing melanoma are women under 40 years old, though anyone can get it. Melanomas often begin as changes to existing moles, such as growths or darkened skin. However, they can also appear suddenly on otherwise normal skin.

There are some other warning signs and symptoms:

When you see a new bump
When color is spread into the nearby skin areas
When you see redness or swelling that is beyond the mole itself
When you feel pain
When you feel itching
When the mole bleeds
Sometimes oozing
Tenderness can be a sign as well
And scaly appearance

When the melanoma is more advanced, the texture of the mole may change. The skin becomes harder, and the surface of the skin sometimes breaks down and scraps. Sometimes even bleeding has been reported, and it may get itchy or painful. It is not very easy to treat this cancer, and it can take lifelong, but it only takes some elementary precautions to decrease the risk.

3.Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is a broad term used to describe any cancer that isn’t melanoma. This encompasses any rarer type of skin cancer, and as such, has a variety of treatment options depending on the type of cancer involved. These types of cancers will often need to be removed through surgery.

Signs and symptoms of this type of cancer are:

change of color and/or texture and alterations on its borders, leaving them with an irregular shape and growth.
They might be semi-transparency, brown, red, pink our multicolored.
Itchiness and signs that bleed heal and, after a while, reappear.
Redness and swelling of a sign.Rough skin areas.

4.Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 20% of all it but is more common in immunosuppressed people. In most instances, its biological behavior is much like basal cell carcinoma with a small but significant chance of distant spread. Initiating in the squamous cells, this type of cancer infests in the epidermis. The condition may present itself in the form of skin crusting or scaling. The area could become red and inflamed, and there could be bumps, which do not heal. While the condition is seen most commonly in areas constantly exposed to sunlight, it could manifest itself in any part of the body. While not life-threatening, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can be a particularly aggressive form of cancer that can cause serious damage if left untreated. This is because it tends to form in deeper layers of the skin. This type of cancer is also prone to spreading along the skin and through other parts of the body. With early treatment, the condition can be stopped from spreading.

Signs and symptoms of this type of cancer are:

Any change on your skin, especially in the size or color of a mole, growth, or spot, or a new growth (even if it has no color)
Scaliness, roughness, oozing, bleeding, or a change in how an area of skin looks.
A sore that doesn't heal
The spread of pigment (color) beyond its border, such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
A change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

There are many different ways that you can protect yourself from getting skin cancer.

Use sunscreen regularly with protection above 15 UPS. When exposed daily to sunlight, reapply every two hours.
Use hats and appropriate clothes.
Limit your time of sun exposure and avoid the sun between 10h and 15h.
Avoid artificial tanning.
Keep your kids out of the sun.
Sunscreen may be used in children above six months old.

By keeping these tips in mind and checking yourself regularly, you can help protect yourself from developing skin cancer.

Keep Your Skin Healthy

Most everyone knows how to prevent skin cancer, but just in case you need a little refresher course, below is the main list of items. Please keep in mind that if you have had any skin cancer or possible cancerous moles removed, you will want to make certain to follow these basic rules even closer and be even more cautious with your sun exposure.

The first and maybe the most important factor is avoiding tanning beds.
Wearing sunscreens with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of above 15 is another simple step.
Wearing hats, visors, and tightly woven clothing is very good to block the sunlight UV ray.
And the last one is staying out of the sun during 10 am and 4 pm when the sunlight is extreme and the UV level is highest.
Not only will this prevent skin cancer, but it will also help maintain your youthful glow by preventing wrinkles, sun spots, and sun damage.