Skin Cancer FAQs
It is estimated that there are about a million people
in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually. Although
anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greater for people who always
burn, never tan, and are fair with red or blonde hair; green or blue
eyes and freckles have a greater chance of developing skin cancer.
Learn more about it with the following frequently
asked questions:
Q. Is sun exposure the main cause of skin cancer?
A. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation
sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation,
such as sunlamps and tanning booths, also contribute to the risk of
developing skin cancer.
Q. What are the types of skin cancer?
A. The most common kinds of skin cancer are basal
cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell
carcinoma arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in
the lower part (or base) of the epidermis.
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in squamous cells,
which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales found in the
tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow
organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive
tracts.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are
sometimes called nonmelanoma skin cancer. Another type of cancer that
occurs in the skin is melanoma that arises in melanocytes, the cells
that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Q. What are the early warning signs?
A. The ABCD's of melanoma are as follows:
- A - Asymmetry (common moles are round and symmetrical)
- B - Border (skin cancers may have uneven borders)
- C - Color (watch for varied shades of brown, tan
or black and also red, white, and blue)
- D - Diameter (if a spot is larger than a pencil
eraser (6mm or ¼ inch in diameter) it could be trouble)
Q. How does a mole change?
A. Aside from the ABCD’s, you should watch out
for these changes:
- Size – mole suddenly or continuously gets
larger
- Elevation – a mole that was flat or slightly
elevated increases in height rapidly
- Surrounding skin – skin around the mole
becomes red or develops colored blemishes or swellings
- Surface – a smooth mole develops scaliness,
erosion, oozing, crusting, ulceration, bleeding
- Sensation – there is itching, tenderness or pain.
Q. How can skin cancer be prevented?
A. Whenever possible, people should avoid exposure
to the midday sun (from 10AM to 2PM). Keep in mind that protective
clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun's
harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreens can protect the
skin.
Also see:
Skin
Cancer Advice: Melanoma Can Be Beaten, 7 Survivors Tell How They Beat
Melanoma, Even At Stage 4
How to Spot
a Malignant Mole
Skin Cancer
- a Reminder
SUN
CARE KIT: Your skin's summer survival kit: have great looking,
healthy skin all summer long. Includes each of the six sun care products
- Block, Shield, Bronze, Cool, Face Stick and Lip Guard - packed in
a sleek silver beach cooler.
- BLOCK: This non-greasy
SPF 25 cream provides all-over protection against the harmful effects
of the sun. Packed with all sorts of nutritious things, Block begins
to heal your skin as soon as it's applied.
- SHIELD: A light SPF
19 spray that not only protects, but works to heal skin and improve
its elasticity on contact.
- COOL: Made with healing
botanicals like aloe vera and echinacea, Cool acts quickly to soothe
and moisturize your skin.
- FACE STICK: Face
Stick provides an SPF of 28 to help keep your face wrinkle free
for years to come. Enriched with Macademia Nut Oil and Vitamin E,
it not only protects, but soothes.
