Educate Yourself About Skin Cancer

By Keefe Figgatt

Cancer is a very general term used to describe a potentially devastating disease. There are actually more than 100 conditions that are considered to be “cancer”. All of these ailments are related to diseased cells in the body.

Healthy cells grow, divide and replace themselves on a continual basis. That’s how the body’s tissue is created, and it’s how a healthy body grows, repairs itself and stays in good health. Cancer occurs when some of these cells lose their ability to perform these tasks. The duplication, progress and growth capability of the cells is limited. The cells may divide themselves too rapidly, and may grow without organization. Malignant or benign tumors are formed when the cancerous cells produce too much tissue.

Benign tumors are those which do not lead to cancer. When a tumor is benign, it’s not life-threatening and it won’t extend to the rest of the body. Once these types of tumors are removed via surgery, they usually won’t return. Benign tumors are typically more of a nuisance than a threat.

Malignant tumors are those that will lead to cancer. These tumors invade and destroy the neighboring healthy tissues and organs, causing illness in the body. Malignant tumors can spread or “metastasize” to other organs and cause new tumors to grow throughout the body.

The two main kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is the term used to describe a cancer that begins in the cells that cover or surround an organ.

Over 90 percent of skin cancers in the United States are Basel cell carcinoma. This category of cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas, although it is crucial that all types of skin cancers are found and treated as early as possible to prevent them from invading and destroying the nearby tissues.

Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are usually referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is another form of skin cancer which begins in the melanocytes.

Skin cancer is presently the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s been estimated that between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to be 65 years and older will develop skin cancer at least once. However, it must be noted that any age and nationality can develop skin cancer. Those who are fair skin and freckled with red or blond hair and blue or light colored eyes are the sorts of people who are at most risk of developing the disease.

The sun’s UV (ultraviolet) radiation is the most common cause of skin cancer. The sun creates two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. Tanning booths and sun beds create artificial UV radiation, and will also cause skin cancer.

Skin cancer affects a greater number of people living in certain areas of the world. Those who live under the hot Texan sun are particularly at risk. Skin cancer rates are also higher in Australia and South Africa, where people are exposed to excessive amounts of the sun’s UV rays every day. Those living in these, and other areas where UV exposure is high, are more likely to develop skin cancer.

Contributor Keefe Figgatt enjoys writing for several great web sites, on alternative health care and health question themes.

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Topics: Diseases and Conditions | Comments Off

Tags: cancer, cancer survival, dealing with cancer, Diseases and Conditions, health conditions & diseases, health problems & diseases, healthcare and diseases, skin cancer, skin care

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