Among all forms of human cancer, the most common is Skin Cancer. Statistics show that 50% of all Americans will develop skin cancer at least once for those who live 65 years and above. The main cause of skin cancer is excessive exposure to sunlight. Sunlight contains Ultra Violet Rays (UV) that causes freckles, dry out, sunburn, and later; Skin Cancer. UV rays are also found in tanning booths, sun lamp and X-rays that damage skin cells and result in cell mutation.
The term Skin Cancer is linked to these 3 diseases: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is usually found on the neck, head and shoulders, which are exposed to the sun. It looks like a pimple – raised, smooth and pearly bump on the skin. Most often it is mistaken as a sore that doesn’t heal. Fortunately, this type of skin cancer is the least deadly and can be properly eliminated with proper treatment just like a single scar.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cancer. It is dangerous but not as much as the Melanoma. It is commonly a red, scaling, thickened patch on the skin exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma must be immediately treated or else, it will develop to a large mass.
The most serious form of skin cancer is Melanoma. It mostly looks like dark brown lesions that tend to spread throughout the body very quickly. Warning signs that may indicate a malignant melanoma includes changes in sizes, shapes and colors of a mole. In most cases, a mole-like bump in your skin is cancerous if it is bigger than the eraser at the end tip of your pencil. Other signs include the immediate appearance of new moles during adulthood.
