Skin Cancer Awareness

The most common form of cancer found today is skin cancer. The annual rates of skin cancer are increasing each year, and suspect over a million cases already occur annually. Doctors have also estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once. The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of skin such as, a sore that will not heal or a new growth.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common forms of cancer. These two types of cancer are also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma; this is because it spreads through out the body so quickly.

The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, and it accounts for more than 90% of all skin cancers in the United States. These particular types of cancers never spread to other parts of the body. However, they can do damage by growing near surrounding tissue.

Two important factors in the development of basal cell carcinoma are sun exposure and light-colored skin. In fact, 20% of basal cell carcinoma occurs in areas where often the sun is not exposed to such as: the chest, back, arms, legs, and scalp. However, the face remains the most likely place for basal call carcinoma to develop. Also, a weak immune system can put you at a serious risk of getting this type of cancer.

The main cause of skin cancer is said to be ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Tanning booths and sunlamps, both artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation, can also cause skin cancer. Skin cancer is common where the sun is not as strong making where you live a big factor in skin cancer development. Most skin cancers only develop later in life, but the sun can start damaging your skin from an early age, protection should start early.