Understanding Skin Cancer

By: Keefe Figgatt

Cancer consists of more than 100 ailments. Each kind of cancer is different to other types in many ways, although all cancers are a disease of some of the cells in the body.

Healthy cells grow, divide and replace themselves on a continual basis. That's how the body's tissue is created, and it's how a healthy body grows, repairs itself and stays in good health. Cancer occurs when some of these cells lose their ability to perform these tasks. The duplication, progress and growth capability of the cells is limited. The cells may divide themselves too rapidly, and may grow without organization. Malignant or benign tumors are formed when the cancerous cells produce too much tissue.

Benign tumors are those which do not lead to cancer. When a tumor is benign, it's not life-threatening and it won't extend to the rest of the body. Once these types of tumors are removed via surgery, they usually won't return. Benign tumors are typically more of a nuisance than a threat.

Malignant tumors are those that can lead to cancer. These cancerous tumors cause further illness in the body by invading nearby organs and destroying healthy tissues. Malignant tumors can metastasize or spread to other organs, causing new tumors to grow throughout the body.

The two main kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is the term used to describe a cancer that begins in the cells that cover or surround an organ.

Over 90 percent of skin cancers in the United States are Basel cell carcinoma. This category of cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas, although it is crucial that all types of skin cancers are found and treated as early as possible to prevent them from invading and destroying the nearby tissues.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma skin cancer begins in the melanocytes.

The most common types of cancer in the United States are skin cancers. It's estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people who live to be 65 or older in the United States will develop skin cancer at least once in their lifetime. Even so, people of all ages and every nationality are at risk of developing skin cancer. People with blue or light colored eyes, those with freckles or fair skin, and people with blond or red hair present a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

The ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun is the principal cause for skin cancer. There are two kinds of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. There are also artificial sources of UV radiation, for instance, sun beds and tanning booths which can also cause skin cancer.

Skin cancer affects a greater number of people living in certain areas of the world. Those who live under the hot Texan sun are particularly at risk. Skin cancer rates are also higher in Australia and South Africa, where people are exposed to excessive amounts of the sun's UV rays every day. Those living in these, and other areas where UV exposure is high, are more likely to develop skin cancer.

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Keefe Figgatt enjoys writing for numerous well-known web sites, on health articles and alternative health themes.
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