You know what summertime means: the beach, ice cream, sunshine, and the risk of skin cancer. As the weather gets warmer, people start spending more time outdoors but without proper protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, they also are more at risk of developing skin cancer.
There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell skin cancers (basal cell carcinomas), squamous cell skin cancers (squamous cell carcinomas), and melanomas. As a whole, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. DNA damage to the skin cells from ultraviolet radiation (from the sun or tanning beds) can cause mutations and genetic defects that lead to the skin cells rapidly multiplying.
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common forms of skin cancer. Also referred to as non-melanomas, basal and squamous cell skin cancers occur in the basal or squamous cells located at the base of the epidermis. These two cancers are strongly related to the amount of sun exposure a person gets. Both basal and squamous cell skin cancers are mainly found on parts of the body directly exposed to the sun, such as the neck and head. While these two types of skin cancers are less likely to spread and become life threatening, it is still important to find and treat them as early as possible. When left alone, the cancer can grow larger and spread to nearby tissues and organs, causing scarring and deformity.
Image Source: Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography
The third type of skin cancer is called melanoma. Melanoma develops in the melanocytes, which are epidermal cells that produce melanin. Melanocytes can form benign, or non-cancerous, growths called moles. Melanoma most commonly develops on the chest and back for males, and on the legs for females, but melanoma can develop anywhere on the body. Although less common, melanoma is the most dangerous of the three types. This is because, if not recognized early on, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body where it is harder to treat and can be fatal. A patient with an early-stage melanoma, that is still located near where it started, has a five-year survival rate of about 98%. The five-year survival rate drops to about 63% if the melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Some treatments for skin cancer include laser surgery, Mohs micrographic surgery, topical medications, excisional surgery, radiation treatment, and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by limiting your exposure to UV radiation. If you do go out, protect your skin by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, or seeking shade.
Featured Image Source: Stevebidmead
