Skin cancer occurs when abnormal or cancerous cells develop in the epidermis. Epidermis is the superficial layer of the skin in the body. The skin cancer usually stay localized and does not affect the other parts of the body.The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun.Since the major cause is rather unavoidable for us, it is important for everyone to be aware for the various types and symptoms of skin cancer and the treatment used to treat it.
There are three main types of skin cancers:
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma: This type of skin occurs due to exposure to the sun. It is the most common type of skin cancer and occurs on parts of the body like neck or face.
Signs and Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma:
a. A pearly or waxy bump on the surface of the skin
b. A flesh colored scar like mark on the skin
c. A sore that bleeds, heals and then reappears
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is second most common type of skin cancer. It occurs on the sun exposed skin like face, ears and hands.
Signs and Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
a. A firm red colored nodule on the skin
b. A dark red or brownish scaly surface
3. Melanoma:This type of cancer can occur anywhere on the body even if that part has not been exposed to the sun. An existing mole can also turn cancerous and comes under this category.
Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma:
a. A mole that has changed in color, size or has started bleeding.
b. A lesion that itches or burns
c. Dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips and toes.
In addition to this, these are some of the rare types of skin cancer:
1. Kaposi Sarcoma: In this case, the cancer cells develop in the blood vessels of the skin and red or purple patches can be seen on the skin. This usually happens to people who have AIDS or weak immune system due to some sort of medication.
2. Merkel Cell Carcinoma: This type of cancer occurs in the hair follicles. It is most commonly found on the head.
3. Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma: This type of cancer occurs in the oil glands of the skin. It is most commonly seen on the eyelids.
The abnormal changes in the cells of the skin mostly occur due to the changes in the DNA of the cells caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun.However it is only true for the types of cancer that occur on the skin exposed to the sun. In case of Melanoma, the cancer cells can even develop in the parts of body that are not exposed to the sun. There are other factors that come into play to determine the occurrence of skin cancer.
1. Lighter Complexion: Anyone, regardless of their skin color, can develop skin cancer cells. However, light skinned people are more susceptible to skin cancer as their skin has less amount of melanin that provides protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun.
2. Sunburns: A history of sunburns can increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
3. Higher Altitude: People who live in higher altitude that has sunny and warm climate are more likely to develop skin cancer than people who live in colder places.
4. Moles: People who have many moles or abnormal moles are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer cells.
5. A family history of skin cancer: If your close relative like parents or sibling have skin cancer, then you are also at a risk of developing it.
6. A history of skin cancer: If you had skin cancer earlier, it can recur.
7. Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals like arsenic.
The treatment of skin cancer depends upon the type, position, depth and size of the skin cancer.
1. In the initial stages, the skin cancer can be removed through a biopsy by removing the parts that have cancer cells.
2. Mohs Surgery: In this procedure, the doctor removes the skin layer by layer and stops at the layer of skin that no longer contains the cancerous cells.
3. Photodynamic Therapy: In this therapy, certain medicines and drugs are used that make the cancer cells sensitive to light and then they are subjected to laser which destroys them.
4. Biological therapy: In this therapy, certain medicines and drugs are given that strengthen the immune system of the body so that it can fight the cancer better.
In addition to that, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also be used. In case of skin cancer, special creams and lotions are applied as a part of chemotherapy to treat the cancer cells. You can buy the anti-cancer creams online from 3MEDS.
While a lot of factors like family history, geography and complexion cannot be controlled, the major factor of exposure to the sun can be. While sunlight is important for Vitamin D, prefer early morning sunlight and avoid the harmful sunlight between 9am to 3pm. You can also use sunscreen creams to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays. You can buy sunscreen creams and anti-cancer medicines online at low cost from 3MEDS.
