Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, according to Healthline. It occurs when there is an irregular growth of skin cells. We live in an age when people apply all sorts of things to attain societal beauty standards.
This is why it is important to understand what skin cancer means, the causes, symptoms and prevention.
What is skin cancer?
According to Cleveland Clinic, skin cancer is a disease that involves the growth of abnormal cells in your skin tissues. In normal circumstances, the skin cells grow old and die. Then new cells form to replace them. However, this does not happen when one develops skin cancer. Instead, the cells grow quickly and may be noncancerous (benign), which do not spread or cause harm. They may also be cancerous.
Skin cancer often develops when the skin is exposed too much to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. The sun-exposed parts of the body where the disease primarily develops are the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. It can also form in places that are rarely exposed to sunlight like the palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails and genital areas.
Skin cancer affects people of all races and skin tones. People who are most vulnerable to skin cancer are:
Those who are often exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.
People who have a history of skin cancer in the family.
Those who have moles on their skins.
Those who have a weakened immune system
People with light skin, hair and freckles
People who are older than 30.
The good news is that it is not contagious and can be treated if detected early. This is why routine checkups are very important.
Symptoms of skin cancer
The most common symptom of skin cancer is a change or a new growth on your skin. Other symptoms include the following:
A new mole or an existing mole that changes in size, shape or colour or that bleeds.
A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck.
A flat, pink/red- or brown-coloured patch or bump.
Scars that seem to form on some areas of your skin.
Crusty-looking sores that have depression in the middle or bleed often.
A wound or sore that will not heal or heals and comes back again.
A rough, scaly lesion that might itch, bleed and become crusty.
Types of skin cancer
There are seven types of skin cancer which will be discussed below.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells, which are the skin cells that replace old cells in the lower level of the epidermis. It is a type of cancer that appears on the surface of the skin. Typically, it does not spread to other parts of the body. In rare cases when it does, it can be life-threatening.
Squamous cell cancer
Squamous cell cancer affects the cell on the outermost part of the epidermis. It can also be found in sensitive areas like the lungs and mucous membranes. When squamous cell cancer develops on the skin, it is called cutaneous squamous cell cancer.
This type of cancer can be found in areas of the body frequently exposed to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. It is treatable but can become life-threatening if not treated on time.
Melanoma
Melanoma accounts for about one per cent of all skin cancers. It is a type of cancer that develops from cells that give your skin colour. The cells are known as melanocytes and they are also responsible for developing noncancerous moles. These moles can become cancerous. Melanoma can develop anywhere in the body. But the most common areas are the chest and back in men and on the legs in women.
Merkel cell skin cancer
Merkel cell skin cancer is a rare form of skin cancer that is caused by an overgrowth of Merkel cells. According to a 2019 review, Merkel cells are a specialised kind of cell found in the epidermis. It seems to occur mostly in men than women and most in Caucasians. Although this type of skin cancer is rare, it is very dangerous and can quickly spread to other parts of the body.
Skin lymphoma
Skin lymphoma occurs when the white blood cells also known as lymphocytes, start to grow irregularly on the skin. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this type of cancer is also called cutaneous lymphoma. Meanwhile, the lymphocytes work as a part of the immune system to defend against infection and disease.
Kaposi sarcoma (KS)
KS usually appears as red, brown, or purple patches or tumours on the skin. Those areas are also known as lesions. KS lesions typically appear on the legs, feet or face. They can also appear in the genital area, mouth or lymph nodes. When they remain on the surface of the skin, you may not experience any symptoms. But when they spread inside your body, like to the throat or stomach, they can cause bleeding and become life-threatening.
Actin keratosis
Actin keratosis is a type of skin cancer that often appears in small patches of red, pink, or brown skin. These patches are not cancerous but they are often considered as precancerous. If not treated on time, these skin lesions may develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
How to prevent skin cancer
Avoid direct exposure to sunlight especially when it is strongest. Stay indoors or use protective shades during the hour between 10 am and 4 pm.
Avoid tanning beds and sunning lamps.
Apply sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to any exposed skin at least 30 minutes before going out. Also, reapply regularly.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and dry, dark, tightly woven fabrics when you are outside during daylight.
Wear sunglasses that offer 100 per cent ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) protection.
Develop the habit of doing regular checkups so that your doctor can detect some changes in the skin on time.
Conclusion
Skin cancer is common but it is not a death sentence, particularly if treated on time. Spotting any warning signs can improve treatment and help you heal faster. This is very important because it is a dangerous disease despite being mostly not life-threatening. It is best to perform your skin check once per month or visit a dermatologist. However, if your instinct is telling you that something is not right, run to the hospital as fast as possible.
