What Is The Cause Of Skin Cancer

Skin cancers develop when the body is exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). Some of the DNA in the skin cells that are exposed to UV rays begin to mutate. They become known as oncogenes that instruct the cell to grow haphazardly.

If these cells are not destroyed by the immune system they will develop into cancerous growths. You can be exposed to UV rays in many ways but the most common way is by exposure to the Sun.

However, some people can spend more time in the sun than others without developing skin cancer. Their skin is not as sensitive to the sun. This is because they have more melanin in the body. Amongst many other functions, melanin makes the skin go brown when exposed to the Sun. This is the body's natural method of protecting skin cells. This is the tan that many people like to develop as they see it as an indication of health and vitality.

People with low amounts of melanin will have paler skin. The skin will most likely turn red rather than brown and will burn before it tans (if it tans at all) depending on the melanin level. This is fair common knowledge to most people. Indeed, people with pale or blue eyes and fair hair are in the same category. They are likely to burn in the sun and this suggests that they have been exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation.

Even if you do not fit this genetic makeup, you are still susceptible to skin cancer if your family has a history of developing the disease.

The effects of skin cancer vary depending on the type of carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is normally found on areas of the body directly exposed to the sun. It is generally a mark or spot on the skin that could be brown or red. In most cases it will not spread from the original location.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also normally found on the body that is directly exposed to sunlight. It does not always spread but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. If it does spread it will be to surrounding skin cells. This will often give you the impression that the initial blemish or lesion on the skin is getting bigger. This is a sure sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

Melanoma is the rarest but most serious form of skin cancer that can develop. Unlike the other two, it can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that may not get much exposure to sunlight. For instance, the feet may develop a melanoma. It normally looks like a brown or red mark but as it develops it may become a lump under the skin. It may also look like a mole on the surface of the skin that changes color and starts to get bigger.

Of the three forms of skin cancer, melanoma is most likely to be malignant. This means it can grow at an uncontrollable rate and spread to other parts of the body. When this occurs it can become invasive, in that it will grow through other tissues or organs destroying them in the process. Even if it does not destroy organs, the melanoma can become so large that it prevents the organs from functioning properly.

If melanoma metastasizes throughout the body, treating it becomes extremely difficult thus early detection is key to melanoma treatment.

The best way to guard against skin cancer is to limit your exposure to sunlight and protect your skin when in the sun. Also monitor any unusual skin blemishes or lesions or unusual lumps. Get your skin checked out from time to time by a skin specialist. Avoid other things that can expose you to UV rays.

Article by: AdrianFletcher | Total views: 15 | Word Count: 627

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Learn more about common signs of skin cancer and the different types of skin cancers