Squamous skin cancer

The Causes of Squamous Skin Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as SCC or squamous skin cancer, is a very common type of skin cancer. It is in fact the second most common after basal cell carcinoma. SCC attacks the upper layers of skin. Fortunately this is not necessarily a serious cancer if identified early and then treated immediately. Of the two hundred and fifty thousand cases diagnosed each year, ninety seven percent of these are easily treated ones. The remaining three percent are more worrisome since they are likely to be cases where the cancer has spread and so potentially is life threatening to the person dealing with this disease.

The primary cause of this type of skin cancer relates to excessive exposure to the ultra violet light of the sun. This would be long term exposure and take years before it resulted in the cancer, but nonetheless it is the likely cause. Squamous skin cancer is more likely to occur on the face. This is because the face is always exposed to the sun and is the part of the body that people are more likely to forget to protect on a daily basis. People going swimming or who plan to be outside for a long time are more likely to use sunscreen, but when going to catch a bus, taking a walk to the store or any of the more mundane daily activities people do not think to put sunscreen on their faces.

Fair haired, and so fair skinned, people are more likely to get this type of cancer. People with very dark skin tone almost never have to worry about getting squamous skin cancer. Those who have had treatment in some area for skin cancer may find another spot later since the area has already been damaged by the sun and so another cancer spot may appear. If this is going to occur it will happen within two years of being diagnosed. The best way to protect oneself from skin cancer is to use a sunscreen that is rated at least at thirty, to cover up when possible and stay out of the direct sun when it is not.