Skin Cancer Information

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. There are some types of this cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and also melanoma.Basal, the most common form, develops in the base or the bottom of the epidermis, the top of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type, invented in the upper layers of the epidermis. The American Cancer Society estimates that basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in the name of over 1.3 million new cases every year, but only 1900 deaths. In Canada, 68 000 cases of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancers are diagnosed each year.

The third type of skin cancer is melanoma. It develops in the melanocytes, or pigment cells in the basal layer. Melanoma is the hard one form of this cancer and is responsible for almost 1/3 of all deaths from this cancer. around 48,000 last cases of melanoma diagnosed each year die in the United States, also 7,700 people from the disease per year. The condition of malignant melanoma is increasing faster in the U.S. than any other cancer, and one person in the 1990s to 12 times more likely to develop melanoma, a person born in the 1940s. In Canada, about 3,100 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed every year.

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin, but about 90 percent develop in sun-exposed areas, especially in the face, neck, back, hands and scalp from the sun men.Direct bald head, especially during childhood, is the most important risk factor for this cancer, and the number of blistering sunburns a person has, the greater the risk of developing skin cancer in the future. People with fair skin are at increased risk of skin cancer, especially when the skin burns or freckles easily.

A family history of this cancer, the risk to a person. Studies are under way to determine which individuals are predisposed to genetic disease. In the year 1996 has enabled such as scientists discovered a gene they believe causes basal cell carcinoma. The gene, such as patched or PTC contributes to cell growth and gene development.If missing, broken or damaged by ultraviolet radiation known, can be uncontrolled cell division. Another aberrant gene, called multiple tumor suppressor, made as part of a melanoma.

Diet can also play a role. A recent study showed that patients on a diet high in fat to 20 percent fewer precancerous lesions and skin cancer than those who eat ordinary of about 38 % fat.

The sunlight reaching the earth's surface are two types of ultraviolet (UV). UV-A and UV-B contribute to sunburn and also cancer, and diseases such as premature aging of the skin. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the increased degradation of the ozone in the atmosphere, the radiation damages the skin and the rates of skin cancer in the future.

The Cancer Foundation recommends that people avoid the sun at the highest level (10-4 m) in the shade, and with clothing and a hat with wide brim. It also ask to use the regular use of sunscreen, which has proven to prevent the development of precancerous actinic (skin lesions that occur in middle age) and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Because skin cancer increase slowly over the years, it is necessary for protection against excessive sun exposure in childhood.Tanning should be avoided because they are the people are exposed to the same type of UV light than the sun. More to identify early signs of skin cancer also important that regular self-examination of the skin.some changes or skin diseases, the doctor reported.