Water, sunlight, and warmth are essential to life. People require frequent exposure to natural sunlight in order to produce Vitamin D, an essential vitamin needed for growth, and to develop healthy bones and teeth. In recent decades, however, sunlight has also been implicated as a cause of some types of skin cancer.

While both types of ultraviolet rays are associated with skin cancer, some skin cancers are caused by genetic factors. In fact, recent research has indicated that cell mutation and abnormal genes probably play a much more significant role in the development of skin cancer than was originally believed.

Although anyone may develop skin cancer, some persons are at higher risk than others are. Those persons who should be concerned most about sunlight exposure include individuals with fair skin, those who live in areas that are close to the equator, and those who spend a significant amount of time outside.

Three primary kinds of skin cancer have been identified. Each of these is associated with a particular skin cell. The first of these is called basal cell carcinoma, and begins in the skin’s basal cells. Nine-tenths of all individuals diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States have this kind. Since it grows slowly and usually does not spread, it is considered to be the least serious variety with which a person can be diagnosed.

The second type is more serious than basal cell carcinoma, but is also a nonmelanoma. Squamous cell cancer affects keratinocyte, cells in the outer layer, or epidermis, of the skin. This type does spread in approximately three percent of all sufferers, but usually spreads slowly. Therefore, it can often be diagnosed and surgically removed before it affects other body organs.

A few other types of nonmelanoma skin cancer do exist, but they are extremely rare. Less than one person in 100 who develops a nonmelanoma cancer will develop one of these kinds. These cancers include Kaposi’s sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and T cell lymphoma of the skin.

The final type is most serious. Melanoma is a cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. The amount of melanin present in skin tissue determines the lightness or darkness of the skin’s color. Malignant melanoma can spread rapidly and invade vital organs and other body tissues. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial to a successful cure.

Each of these types of skin cancer is usually curable when detected and treated early. For this reason, it is extremely important to take note of any skin changes, and to report these to a physician as soon as they are noticed.

By: Adam Hefner

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Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer existing in the world. It can strike at any age group. Most people do not consider skin cancer as a serious problem. However, it is important to know that the cancer can be really difficult to handle or even deadly if not treated directly.

It is important to keep on performing regular self examination so that you can come to know about the problem at an early stage.

Here are certain tips on examining your self for skin cancer so that the disease does not turn out to be serious or ugly in the future. While conducting a self examination, you should keep in mind that about 1 in 5 people can have some form of skin cancer in their entire lifetime.

Experts recommend that you need to check yourself for skin cancer on a monthly basis in order to spot the problem.

You would require some mirrors in order to see all parts of your body. Try to check the entire area of your body. You need to analyze your head, face and scalp in the mirror.

Gradually examine the other parts of your body. Make sure that you check the genital areas also check the portion between your toes well.

When doing a self examination for skin cancer, you must check for irregular moles. Usually, mal-formed moles are a result of malignant melanoma. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find an asymmetrical mole on your body, consult your doctor.

Remember that most moles complete their growth prior to the age of twenty. In case, the mole on your body starts growing after the age of twenty, consult your doctor immediately.

Another important thing to check for irregularities on the borders of the mole. The borders should be well defined and uniform in growth. Another symptom of skin cancer is a mole that changes color to a dark red, black or white. This is a direct indication of development of skin cancer on your body.

Remember that early diagnosis may be the only way to surviving skin cancer. In case, you spot anything you might feel a problem, consult an oncologist or dermatologist on an immediate basis. A little caution from your side may do wonders to your body.

Moles on the body can turn in to cancerous melanomas. Hence it is very important to check your moles on a regular basis and talk to your doctor whenever you feel that there is a sign of danger.

The best thing to do is to follow a 4 step, A-B-C-D guide when checking your moles. In case, any of the points mentioned below are true, talk to your doctor right away.

a) Asymmetry

In case, ½ of the mole does not match the other half, there is a problem. Any mole or birthmark with skin growth that increases in size should be reported to doctor.

b) Border

The border of the mole should not be ragged, notched or blurred.

c) Color

In case, the mole is a mixture of brown, black and tan contact a doctor.

d) Diameter

A mole larger than pencil eraser is an important sign of skin cancer.

By: Bertil Hjert

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