It is not fairly believable that about 40-50% of people are suffering from
Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer is frequently found in the people with fair complexion.
You will be surprised to know that over the last 40 years, the rates of deadly
Skin cancer “Melanoma” grew by 800 percent among young women and 400 percent
among young men (source:skincancer.org).
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI-USA), over one million people
in the U.S. are
diagnosed with different skin cancer every year.
Skin Cancers may include Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Bowen Symptoms etc.
These all are the types of Skin Cancer and they start as the Precancerous
Lesions. These precancerous conditions may bring changes to the skin. Basically
these conditions are not Cancer but can lead to Cancer.
Here are
few signs and Types of Skin Cancer
1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This skin disease is mostly seen on Forehead, Nose,
Ears, Lips, Hands and other soft areas of body that are exposed to the rays of
Sun. It’s quite curable if treated early. The nonmelanoma Skin Cancer may occur
in the form of Red Nodule that may be peeling, bleeds developing a crust or a
wound that normally does not mend.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Image: wikimedia
2. Bowen Disease
Bowen Disease Image: wikimedia
Bowen disease is popularly known as Squamous Cell
Carcinoma. It is crusty, has Reddish scraps and even become coated. This Skin disease
can be appeared in the external direction on the surface of Skin. The persistent
Squamous Cell Carcinomas may grow in the interior direction and may spread to
inside of body.
3. Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Among all skin diseases Basal Cell Carcinoma is the
common disease. It can be easily treated. It looks like “tumor cells”. It is
mostly seen in the adults. At first it appears like a pimple and then may spread
gradually. These cells may occur in the form of Brown, White, Red, flat, sticky
and waxy
patches with Blood Vessels on the patches. This condition may occur on the Nose, Ears,Neck,Chest and belly.
patches with Blood Vessels on the patches. This condition may occur on the Nose, Ears,Neck,Chest and belly.
4. Cutaneous Horns
"Beautiful" cutaneous Horns Cell Source: wikimedia
This disease may occur as a Funnel shaped patches and
the reddish patches are seen on the Skin surface. These patches also contain
Keratin;a Protein that is present in the Nails. The size and shape of Cutaneous
Horns may vary but normally they are few millimeters in length. This condition
is common in the people suffering malnutritions and who are exposed to Sun.
5. Actinic Cheilitis
Actinic Chelitis is also a precancerous condition.
It mostly appears on the Lips. It can lead to the scaly patches, red spots and
roughness of Lips. Swelling of lips, loss of borders of lip and other Skin are
some symptoms of Actinic Cheilitis. If not treated in time, this condition
can lead to Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
6. Actinic Keratosis
These are the tiny patches and these patches take
some time to become Cancerous. Some patches don’t become Cancerous even after
sometime It is basically caused by the Sun and it is found on the Head, Neck,
Face and Hands but it is also found on the other parts of body. Early treatment
can prevent this disease.
People who have Fair complexion, Blond /Red Hair,
Green and Blue Eyes are at more risk of actinic disease.
7. Moles
Mole is a growth of Melanocytes. It is the Cell
that gives color to the Skin. It is rare for Moles to be Cancerous. It takes much
time to become Mole Cancerous. Though a usual Mole is plane but it can be
raised with the passage of time. Normal Moles have round or elliptical shape
and small in size. Moles are developed in the youth.
Melanocytes
8. Atypical Moles or Dysplastic Nevi
Though these type of Moles are not Cancerous, they can become Cancerous with the passage of time. These moles appear on the places which are exposed to Sun. Atypical Moles are larger in size and are irregular in shape. The borders of these moles are lighter in color. These moles so irregular in behave that sometimes they are flat and sometimes raised with rough surface. Color of these Moles also varies. They can be Pink, Red and Black.
9. Melanoma
Melanoma:The Deadliest From: wikimedia
It is the rare type of Skin Cancer but one of the
most serious and deadly Cancer. Signs of Melanoma may include appearance of
Mole or a pigmented patch on the Skin. Cancerous Skin Cells have irregular
various colors, shape, itches and may bleed. If the color, size, texture, shape
and border of a Mole changes suspiciously then the patient should urgently
consult a Dermatologist before it’s too late. It is really dangerous if is not
treated in time.
10. Some Rare Skin Cancers
Some rare Skin Cancers may include
a. Kaposi’s Sarcoma
It is very common in the people, who have weak Immune system.This type is not so dangerous.b. Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
This type of Skin Cancer can give rise to Cancer in the Oil glands of Skin. People with excessive fat may be its easy preyc. Merkel Cell Carcinoma
This Skin Cancer is found in the areas that are
exposed to the Sun including Head, Neck, Arms and Legs. This condition can
easily spread to the other parts of body.
Causes of Skin Cancer
The main cause of Skin Cancer is ultraviolet rays (UVA, UVB).Other causes of Skin Cancer may include
- Environmental pollution
- Radiation treatment
- Role of hereditary
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Use of tanning booths
- Exposure to unusually high levels of x-rays.
- Contact with certain chemicals-arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers), hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (may cause squamous cell carcinoma)
- Lack of particular vitamins or minerals(E, Bita Carotene )
Risks for Skin Cancer:
The following people are at the greatest risk of Skin Cancer- People with fair skin, especially types that freckle, sunburn easily, or become painful in the sun
- People with light (blond or red) hair and colored(blue,green) eyes
- People with certain genetic disorders
- People who have already been treated for skin cancer
- People with numerous moles, unusual moles, or large moles that were present at birth
- People with close family members who have developed skin cancer or have family history of skin cancer
- People who had at least one severe sunburn early in life
- People who expose regularly in sun,chemicals or gases
Beware of Your Mole
The Moles that appear on the skin are normally all
same but if the moles and Freckles are different or are larger/ unnatural in
size than you should urgently consult a Dermatologist. Keep in mind that these
Moles and Freckles can be Cancerous.
a. Irregularity of Moles
Irregularity means the whole of Mole does not
match with the rest of the part. Try to compare your Moles with the other
Moles. If all the parts of Moles are not same than consult a Doc.
b. Border of Moles
Remember, Cancerous Lesion has uneven borders If
the border of Moles is hazy or uneven then get it checked by a Dermatologist..
c. Color of the Moles
If you see different color like Brown, Black,
Blue, Red or White, it is time to be serious with your moles.
d. Diameter of Moles
Normally moles are not more than 6mm in diameter.
A mole can be doubtful, if it is larger than a normal Mole.
If a mole seems to be shrinking, changing color,
getting larger, feel itching or bleed; it should be checked by a Dermatologist.
A raised Mole can be Cancerous. Remember, Cancerous Moles grow in an uneven
size and unusual height.
Evaluation of Moles
If you have Mole that shrinks, changes color,
changes shape, and itches then try to consult a Dermatologist. The
Dermatologist will take a sample tissue for biopsy. If the Mole is found to be
Cancerous or risky then whole of it is removed. But don’t worry, it is a simple
task.
Diagnosis
and Treatment of Skin Cancer
Tips to Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer
Following are the tips to reduce the risk of Skin Cancer
- Try to decrease the exposure to Ultraviolet Rays.
- As the Sunrays are strongest at 10am-4pm, take care of your Skin by this time.
- Try to apply Sunscreen lotion before going out in Sun.
- Try to wear a cap and sunglasses before going in Sun.
- Perform self-examination of your skin regularly.
- Maintain a good diet including cabbage, carrot, egg etc.
