Knowing the following main causes for skin cancer will help to prevent and fight against the disease.  They are:

1. Ultraviolet rays of the sun – The ultraviolet and ultraviolet B from the sun rays are the first major cause to skin cancer. UVB are the cause for sunburn and skin reddening. UVA rays are causing more damage to skin which are permanent in nature.

2. Family History – It is found that the risk of skin cancer is additional to people with history of skin cancer to their family members especially to their parents. Is someone in the maternal or fraternal family history is affected it is suggested to be extra cautious on skin cancer.

3. Chemical Exposure – There are chemicals which harm our skin.  The best example for harmful chemical is Insecticides.  Insecticides contain arsenic and it is dangerous to skin. Pesticides could increase the chances of skin cancer. Apart from pesticide people working in petroleum derivatives and coal tar are prone to develop skin cancer.

4. Smoking — Mouth and Lung cancers are caused due to smoking. Further it is recently studied that smoking could cause skin cancer also.

5. Radiation Exposure – It is found that the paramedical people who work among X-Rays are subjected to skin cancer widely. Sometimes the patients who take frequent x-rays are also prone to skin cancer.  While taking radioactive treatment for cancer found in another part of the body, it will affect the skin and become the cause for skin cancer.

6. Geography and Skin Type -In tropical and subtropical regions people having fair skin have very high chances for skin cancer. Serious injuries not healed immediately would lift up the possibility for skin cancer.

7. Poor Immune System – A good immune system guard against all bacteria. It fights against the cancerous cells too. If the immune system is powerful, the antibodies will eliminate the unwanted cells and bacterial form the body. Poor immune system fails to do the above.

The well known form of cancer is skin cancer; everyone is familiar with the term.  It is good if we know more facts on skin cancer.  It is observed that many citizens of United States suffer from skin cancer.  The number of persons affected by skin cancer increases every year. Melanoma skin cancer is quite common worldwide.

Skin cancer could be detected when the presence of cancer or malignant cells are present on the outer layer of the skin.  This disease is affecting people who have white skin and who are exposed to sunlight for a longer time.  Normally skin cancer affects the face, hands, neck and other parts exposed to sunlight. .  If a change in the skin’s general appearance is noted there are chances for the presence of melanoma skin cancer.

If more pigments on the skin are seen, it is advised to go for a cancer checkup at the earliest.  If an abnormal irritation is found on a pigmented skin it has to be checked immediately.  The exposure to sunlight is the main cause for the formation of pigments and skin cancer. So, it is advised for those who work in outdoor from morning till evening to take care of covering their skin with cotton clothes properly. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause for this skin cancer, so avoiding the exposure to direct sunlight will prevent this skin cancer.

Meeting the dermatologist at least once in a year is suggested.  When a marking or a pigment is noticed on the skin; it is better to meet the doctor immediately rather than experimenting on some cosmetic on it.  The pigments due to skin cancer will spread rapidly. If proper treatment is taken at the early stage when a single pigment is noticed, further spreading of the cancer cells on skin could be controlled.  Making the children aware of the skin cancer and stopping them to play under scorching sunlight will prevent our coming generation from skin cancer.

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.